## 3 Problem Description  
The use of adequate material handling technology is a fundamental component of the efficient functioning of industrial plants. In production plants, in practice, bulk materials are handled to a greater extent than unit-load materials. According to the definitions available in the literature, bulk materials are characterized by physical and chemical characteristics that enable capture and loading during their handling [41]. In addition, the physical and chemical characteristics of bulk materials have a very large influence on the construction and technical and operational characteristics of handling technology. Bulk materials are most often used as components in construction, the food and pharmaceutical industries, etc. [16; 17]. Practice knowledge suggests a particular group of challenges is represented by the handling of materials in the construction industry. The most common forms of bulk materials in construction are related to different fractions of stone, sand, and powdered materials. From the group of powdery materials, the most consequential challenges are encountered in the handling of cement, partly due to its presence in all activities of the construction industry and partly due to its properties, including its abrasiveness, stickiness, dustiness, the influence of moisture, etc. [16; 17; 18].  
This study investigates the industrial plant of one of the largest building materials producers in Serbia, which has a notable and significant presence in the European market. Cement production amounts to about 65%, and more than 75% of the cement is placed on the European market. An analysis of the company's current activities indicates that about 90% of the goods are transported in 20 ft bulk containers. According to data from the second half of 2022, the costs of handling all construction materials make up more than 40% of their production costs, while for cement, those expenses exceeded 60%. Given the high costs of handling cement, the company's management aims to improve the material handling processes by investing in technology that will contribute to the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the analyzed company.  
The key challenges in cement handling are identified through an as-is company analysis. Consequently, after the end of production, the cement is stored in a closed storage facility to ensure it has appropriate resilience to atmospheric influences. After receiving the order, a vehicle designed to carry the container arrives at the facility. The process of filling the container is currently realized by the use of a cantilever crane with a grab, which grabs the cement and pours it into the container. After loading, the road vehicles leave the industrial plant. After the as-is analysis of the industrial plant, several gaps were identified:  
* Mismatches between the material handling technology characteristics and the task characteristics;
* The need to dust off the workspace;
* The inadequate dosing of the material during backfilling;
* High operating costs;
* The material sticks to the grab;
* The long duration of the container loading process.  
These and numerous other issues and gaps in cement handling, in addition to generating significant costs, also hurt the environment and social sustainability. Due to the demand for more humane working conditions and environmental regulations, the company's management at a strategic level aims to invest in material handling technology, with an emphasis on the container loading process. The analyzed alternative solutions aim to reduce and eliminate the observed gaps and increase the efficiency of the container loading process and the processes that follow in the further flow of the supply chain [47]. Therefore, this paper provides basic guidelines for selecting the best bulk material handling technology, respecting the specific conditions considered in this study.