How Industry 4.0 affects the chemical manufacturing industry

In addition to helping enhance efficiency within the manufacturing operation, Industry 4.0 can also help chemical manufacturers cope with changing customer demands and needs.

Today the term 4.0 may not be too strange for each of us, facing the 4.0 revolution, chemical factories will have to overcome many challenges. Faced with slowing growth, legal barriers, fierce competition for talent and pressure from customers, chemical manufacturers need to rethink their business processes and technologies to remain competitive.

This fourth industrial revolution, with the gradual elimination of the physical and digital barriers, chemical manufacturers can improve operations and compete more effectively with the new integrated force. digital. Manufacturers can choose many new technologies that will help them stand out from the competition. For example, companies can integrate advanced technologies into the office in different ways to become more flexible, taking advantage of cloud computing to quickly become more flexible. Customer needs in connection are provided by Industry Internet of Things. The latest technology provides new ways to connect with customers, suppliers and employees. The result is huge opportunity for advanced manufacturers.

Optimize processes in the plant

The real-time data procured through Industry 4.0 technologies can help chemical manufacturers enhance operations and boost efficiency within the four walls of their plants. This data offers manufacturers increased insights, which can help them avoid wasting materials, make better procurement decisions schedule shipments more easily and automate testing – and ultimately improve overall equipment effectiveness and output quality.

For example, sensors placed on machines can track conditions that may slow production or cause them to break down. These systems can also alert managers via their mobile devices if they need to closely monitor the situation or take action. As more data is collected, companies can begin to recognize patterns and proactively address machine maintenance without negatively impacting production schedules. Further, sensors on the equipment or in the building can track fumes, temperatures and other conditions to ensure a safe environment and the best quality products.

Additionally, a manufacturer can feed equipment data into its financial management system to analyze the costs of maintenance and breakdowns, and calculate the returns of improving operating efficiency. For a chemical manufacturer carrying out a digital transformation, these insights can help determine if it is on track with efficiency improvements and better understand the longer-term cost savings associated with implementing new technologies.

Improve customer service and experience

In addition to helping enhance efficiency within the manufacturing operation, Industry 4.0 can also help chemical manufacturers cope with changing customer demands and needs. By leveraging real-time data and enhanced connectivity, a digital transformation can enable a manufacturer to get closer to its customers and more effectively address new requests or issues with products.

Take, for example, an industrial cleaning chemical. For this product, the ultimate customer value may be related to the cleanliness of their production lines or facilities. The service contract in this model defines how value will be delivered in terms of outcome rather than product consumption. It will also cover the communications and actions that should take place when the customer’s needs change, or when unforeseen circumstances make it difficult for the manufacturer to maintain proper service levels.

Connecting the service to the customer’s end goal allows a manufacturer to position itself as a more valuable player in the customer’s production process. It may also benefit the manufacturer by removing its dependency on certain key ingredients and raw materials. Under this service model, the manufacturer will have the flexibility to replace ingredients as needed, as long as its customer’s needs are met.

Finally it’s important to remember that embracing Industry 4.0 is not about a single software installation. Instead, it requires a long-term commitment from company leadership to alter the technological foundation of the company and key business processes. Companies that truly embrace Industry 4.0 innovations will realize improved performance within their manufacturing operations and position themselves to add more value to customer interactions. This will, in turn, lead to sustained success and long-term profitability.

Productivity and Quality Office