Digital technology is an important, disruptive technology area for the chemical industry, which impacts all parts of value chains from logistics to modelling, product and process design, control, monitoring and repair.
Now, from new forms of production to innovative business models, the process industry is about to experience a revolution enabled by digital technologies. Digitisation will have a high impact on modernising Europe’s production capabilities. It can boost European process industries in the race for global competitiveness and sustainability.
Smart materials developed by the chemical industry enable new and higher performing ICT developments in printable-, wearable- and nano-electronics as well as in additive manufacturing and 3D printing techniques. Additive manufacturing makes the manufacturing of new electronic (and other) devices more sustainable by preventing material losses and waste generation.
To remain competitive, future sustainable factories will need even better integrated ICT systems. Production will increasingly rely on digital innovations like data capture, planning and control, modelling and simulation, cloud computing and big data analysis. Enterprises will be able to convert data into knowledge in real time, supporting more efficient and safer processes with lower environmental impact because the management of resources (water and energy within and between manufacturing sites) will be more efficient.