2017/11/17 12:06:31

Chemical industry 4.0

Chemical industry 4.0 means the beginning of the fourth stage of development of chemical pharmaceutical industry which will be defined in the forthcoming decades by distribution of digitalization, the principles of economy of a closed loop and steady growth. Outputs of a research of 2017 "Chemical industry 4.0 — growth through innovations in the transformed world", (VCI) prepared by the German association of chemical industry and Deloitte are like that. In a research factors which will influence development of chemical and pharmaceutical industry until 2030 are considered.

2017: Deloitte's report

In the report Deloitte and German association of chemical industry the factors influencing development of chemical and pharmaceutical industry until 2030^[1] are considered]. Thanks to distribution of digitalization, the principles of economy of a closed loop and steady growth representatives of the chemical industry will be able to differentiate and use new opportunities for business development.

Use of the advantages connected with processing of large arrays of digital data allows to increase the importance of our industry in a chain of value creation and to develop new models. Along with it we locate the perspective solutions allowing to develop economy of a closed loop" — Kurt Bock, the president of VCI, the chairman of the board of BASF concern said, commenting on the potential of Chemical industry 4.0 connected with development of the companies of the industry.

Transition to digital technologies: increase in efficiency and development of new business models

Though many companies already automated the enterprises and apply digital processes to control of production, use of large arrays of digital data will lead to large-scale implementation of innovations. It will allow not only to increase production efficiency due to, for example, the predicted service, but also to implement other innovations using virtual reality, advanced methods of modeling in the field of the analysis and product development. Use of digital services in combination with products of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry will provide additional value addition of the companies.

For example, in the field of digital services for agriculture (Digital Farming) the deposit of the chemical industry in support of farmer business consists already not only in supply of fertilizers and pesticides. Special software applications allow to reveal diseases and wreckers on fields and also to define an optimal dosage of fertilizers for processing of cultures. Modules for the analysis of a status of plants and the soil in combination with weather forecasts and the market supplement data mining models using which farmers have an opportunity to control the economy. These means can be used for improvement of business and accounting of environmental conditions by reduction of volume of the introduced fertilizers and use of pesticides. You look in more detail than IT in agro-industrial complex of Russia.
Perspective medical technologies include new products using materials three-dimensional, and in the future and four-dimensional printing, with a shape memory effect as additional "measurement" which can be activated in required timepoint. This technology will allow to make medical implants in easily processed form which then will be able to take the necessary form in the set part of a body.

Economy of a closed loop: the chemical technologies providing efficiency of use of resources

Change of public preferences in the field of sustainable development and consumption requires new product development and business models. In the conditions of economy of a closed loop the chemical companies can use growth potential, assisting clients in achievement of goals in the field of sustainable development or implementation of business models of a closed loop, for example, of chemical leasing.

The chemical company and allied industries already implemented in the market of a system of processing of industrial output, for example, processing of window frames, an agricultural film and pallets.

However, as the concept of economy of a closed loop is beyond classical processing of waste and provides measures for increase in efficiency of use of resources, it will influence product assortment and business models of the companies of chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

Appropriate technologies and procedures are already ready to start in the market, however the way to full-scale economy of a closed loop demands from the organizations of the high stability necessary to increase viability of these solutions and models from the economic point of view.

Business models of economy of a closed loop will consist of the networks integrating partners in the different industries, and digitalization will contribute to the development of cooperation between the companies in such networks. The organizations aiming to achieve success in such conditions should combine technical skills and network competences. The chemical companies, thanks to the experience in difficult production processes, will have an opportunity to play a major role in such networks.

Transformation can be provided only due to assistance of all concerned parties

The changes connected with Chemical industry 4.0 are integrated to a set of new requirements to the chemical industry. The companies should subject to careful audit a portfolio of the products and services and also to correct business models, promoting acceleration of already started processes of transformation both on industry, and at the corporate level. The industry should set new strategic objectives for itself taking into account use of opportunities of digitalization and economy of a closed loop. Along with these chemical companies it is necessary to develop own technical and network capabilities, investing in education, real assets and the software. The transparency and openness, flexibility, stability before possible failures, information work and interaction within corporate culture to adapt the products and business models to reduction of innovation cycles should become the integral attributes of activity of participants of the industry. Such culture will allow the chemical companies to use opportunities within the new economic systems forming in chemical and also other industries.

Paradigm shift should get support at the expense of the measures provided within industry policy. Among other in a research three priority directions of development of digitalization in public sector are selected: expansion of technical infrastructure, distribution of digital literacy and increase in data security.

Chemical industry 4.0

2017: Deloitte's report

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