How Natural Gas Is Transforming Chemical Manufacturing: Part II
The plentiful natural gas unleashed by new fracking technology has spawned a surprising resurgence of U.S.-based chemical manufacturing. An abundance of shale gas has made the U.S. the lowest-cost...
View ArticleThe Effect Of Global Mega Trends On The Chemical Industry
The global economic situation is extremely volatile, especially for the chemical industry. According to the 18th Annual Global CEO Survey from pwc, there are five global trends that are expected to...
View ArticleHow IoT Could Transform The Chemical Industry
The IoT is a hot topic. But while everyone agrees that it’s here—or at least is coming—not everyone in the chemical industry knows exactly what the Internet of Things is, or what it will mean to them....
View ArticleHow IoT Could Transform The Chemical Industry: Part II
The cost of adopting IoT is falling rapidly, with the cost of sensors now about 20 percent of what it was just a few short years ago. Just as telling, Forrester Research predicts that by 2020, U.S....
View ArticleWill Chemicals And Capital Markets Continue To Go Strong?
Chemical companies are usually considered quite conservative. But according to McKinsey and Company research, the chemical sector is among the highest-performing industries. Total return to...
View ArticleDigital Transformation Enables Agility In Chemical Industry
In a volatile industry such as chemicals, the nimblest organizations prosper the most. Recent research from McKinsey and Company shows that those companies that frequently and strategically reallocate...
View ArticleChemical Industry: 4 Opportunities Provided By Internet Of Things
Chemical firms are embracing the Internet of Things, and in doing so, they are making new partnerships possible. Technology improvements allow firms to partner with companies in many fields. With...
View ArticleHow The Chemical Industry Is Preparing For Sustainable Business Success
According to the most recent PwC CEO Survey, the chemical industry faces continuous challenges to growth and profitability, even in the best of times – over-regulation, geo-political unrest, and scarce...
View ArticleManaging Chemical Prices And Margins In A Highly Volatile Environment
According to McKinsey, the chemical industry rests on a volatile foundation: the price and supply of oil. The oil price declines that began in 2014 found many chemical producers unprepared for the...
View ArticleInnovation: Key To Chemical Industry Success
The chemical industry is essential to our world economy, and innovation sits at the heart of it. New technologies have paved the way for future growth and are becoming essential to the success of...
View ArticleThe Boardroom As A Catalyst For Digital Transformation
Given the fast pace of digital transformation in every industry, board members need to become more familiar with technology and its transformative properties if they hope to keep company executives...
View ArticleHow Is Digital Transformation Changing The Game In The Chemical Industry?
In a recent episode of Game Changers, host Bonnie Graham explored digital transformation in the chemical industry. I had the opportunity to participate in this radio program with two other industry...
View ArticleInnovative Industrial Applications Of 3D Printing In The Digital Economy
A few short years ago, 3D printing was a novelty. Today, it’s a major driver in business process transformation and the digital economy. Already nearly every industry is finding unique ways to use 3D...
View ArticleHow 3D Printing Will Energize The Chemical Industry – Part 1: Key Opportunity...
It’s been nearly 30 years since Chuck Hull, the “Thomas Edison” of the 3D printing industry, introduced the first 3D printer. Since that time, 3D printing, otherwise known as additive manufacturing,...
View ArticleHow 3D Printing Will Energize The Chemical Industry – Part 2: Commercial...
In Part 1 of this blog, I discussed key opportunity areas for 3D printing in the chemical industry. Let’s now take a look at commercial implications and the future ahead. Commercial benefits 3D...
View ArticleCybersecurity: It’s More Than Just Technology
Last week I visited the ARC Forum in Orlando, and cybersecurity was one of the most prominent topics throughout the whole event. Here are some key lessons I learned: There are different categories of...
View ArticleDrones: Poised For Takeoff In The Digital Economy
Drones have captured the popular imagination, making a splash on social media, in the popular press, and even on hit television shows. But drones can do a lot more than entertain. They are actually a...
View ArticleHow 3D Printing Could Transform The Chemical Industry
The history of 3D printing started 30 years ago with Chuck Hull, the Thomas Edison of the 3D printing industry, who introduced the first 3D printer. Since then, 3D printing (also known as additive...
View ArticleMergers And Acquisitions In Chemicals: A Proven Vehicle For Growth
Companies in nearly every industry rely on chemicals to produce goods and services. Despite this ongoing need, many chemical manufacturers struggle to achieve or retain stability, profitability, and...
View ArticleMilitary Applications For The Emerging Technology Of 3D Printing
First called additive manufacturing, 3D printing refers to the technology and processes that transform digital files into physical objects. The digital file might be created by scanning an existing...
View ArticleThe Future Of Sales And Marketing In The Chemical Industry
The chemical industry is at a crossroads. Faced with market unpredictability, increased regulations, and products that are quickly moving toward commoditization, it is becoming increasingly difficult...
View ArticleMajor Trends For The Chemical Industry In 2018
As we approach the end of the year, it is time to look into next year’s trends and drivers for the chemical industry. Here are three major trends that will drive the chemical industry in 2018:...
View ArticleHow Can IoT And Machine Learning Boost Chemical Companies To The Next Level?
If chemical companies want to stay competitive in a changing world, they need to rapidly adopt innovative technologies. Incorporating IoT – especially combining IoT with machine learning – can move the...
View ArticleSix Ways Blockchain Impacts The Chemical Industry
Changes in technology provide an opportunity for growth and development in any industry. The challenge is identifying the right tools to obtain the goals of the business. Understanding the impact of a...
View ArticleDigital Transformation Drives Convergence Of Platforms And Standards
In mid-February, I attended the ARC Forum in Orlando, Fla. There was a strong emphasis on digital transformation as well as platforms and standards supporting it. Within the digital transformation, a...
View ArticleSmart Cities And The New Role Of Chemical Companies In The Digital Economy
According to Wikipedia, a ”smart city” is an urban development that integrates information and communication technology (ICT) and Internet of things (IoT) technology in a secure fashion to manage its...
View ArticleInnovation In The Chemical Industry: Real-World Examples
A recent S.M.A.C. Talk Technology Podcast delves into the trends that make the global chemical industry tick and how its progressive use of technology appears to be reshaping grassroots businesses...
View ArticleFour Trends That Will Define The Chemical Industry’s Future
The Chinese zodiac calendar says it’s the Year of the Dog, but in the chemicals industry, 2018 might be more appropriately dubbed the Year of the Tiger for the pace at which the business is changing...
View ArticleHow Chemical Companies Can Become Intelligent Enterprises
With digital disruption changing our world, chemical companies are facing challenges to their processes and business models. How can they adapt and thrive? Leading companies in the chemical industry...
View ArticleHow Digital Tech Can Help Chemical Manufacturers Capitalize In The Circular...
As one of the world’s best-known manufacturers of the rolling rubber objects that populate landfills by the millions — automotive tires, specifically — Michelin seemingly was destined for a role in the...
View Article4D Printing: A New Opportunity For The Chemical Industry?
When it first emerged, 3D printing was revolutionary, changing the possibilities of our world and the manufacturing industry. Yet this technology has quickly become mainstream and already proven its...
View ArticleCircular Economy: How To Kill The Big Elephant In The Room
The circular economy is getting more and more traction across the globe as leading players work to reduce waste and maximize resource use. Here are the major reasons why: Resource scarcity is becoming...
View ArticleBlockchain In Chemicals: An Occam’s Razor Problem?
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a lot of buzz around blockchain. Billions of dollars have been spent, thanks to “inflated expectations,” in Gartner’s terms. The company’s 2018 Hype Cycle for...
View ArticleNext Practices For The Intelligent Enterprise Chemical Company
Three analysts from McKinsey recently said it best: “Chemical manufacturers have already invested in IT systems and infrastructure that generate enormous volumes of data, but many have failed so far to...
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