Sustainability in the chemical manufacturing sector
Energy efficiency (see below) and the circular economy are currently particularly relevant fields of action for the chemical industry. After all, companies are important players in sustainability, even in a dual role. On the one hand, as solution providers: for example, in the generation of recycling solutions such as for the paper industry, in the recycling of plastics or as suppliers for the wind power industry. Other key business areas include electrification and securing the food supply for a growing population.
On the other hand, chemical manufacturing must find out how it can manufacture its products in the most sustainable way with regard to its own production (Scope 1 & 2). This begins with a critical review of production processes and energy use, i.e. the question of whether energy production, distribution and consumption are optimized. One component of this is to put energy sources and feedstocks to the test – and currently, for example, to increasingly switch to hydrogen. This is not just about converting existing systems, but also about building "next generation assets". For example, internal CO2 prices and scoring systems are used to incorporate sustainability effects directly into the business case of the plants.
Making sustainability tangible
The products of the chemical industry also enable a large part of the entire manufacturing industry to achieve sustainability goals. On the one hand, this requires understanding specific market requirements and developing suitable solutions – and thus making solar panels and batteries more efficient, wind turbines lighter and more robust and harvests more productive.
On the other hand, chemical companies also need to translate their "net zero" goals into concrete initiatives, be it the redesign of processes or the construction of new plants. The creation of such specific roadmaps for sustainability is imperative in order to determine a path to one's own "North Star". At the same time, this mobilizes the organization to anchor the topic and keep it a high priority on an ongoing basis. This may also require the formation of partnerships along the value chain in order to achieve a genuine circular economy – this will not succeed on its own.
Further services for the chemical industry
CLIENTS
CASE STUDIES
Lean Digital Manager
Shaping the factory of the future with Lean 4.0. How can lean principles be combined with the technologies and possibilities of networked digitization in value creation networks? By further qualifying employees to become decision-makers. The ROI-EFESO certification program for "Lean Digital Manager" shows how digitalization of lean production works. To do this, it combines strategies with Industry 4.0 technologies.
Smart Factory Planning: Smart Planning for smart Factories
What does the ideal factory of the future look like? Do products there control their production completely independently? A pharmaceuticals and life sciences company plans the main directions for the smart factory transformation of four plants in just one month. Together with ROI-EFESO, the project team creates a "big picture" as a basis for planning and tests three prioritized technologies in pilot projects.
Business Operations Strategy: Re-start for production networks
A market leader strengthens its Global Footprint structures. With a turnover of around EUR 10 billion, the company is one of the market leaders in the life science and chemicals sector. After a long period of successful global growth, developments such as tougher competition and shifts in demand between regions are jeopardizing the achievement of the ROCE (return on capital employed) targets.
Manufacturing Excellence: Optimizing instead of improvising
The global demand for thermosets is increasing, as is the case in the energy industry. A manufacturer of thermosetting resins has positioned itself as a leader in the chemical industry by providing these customers with a variety of innovative technologies, solutions and specialty products. In order to be able to react even more efficiently to market changes and customer requirements in the future, the company is realigning its production network.
OPEX: Redesign of the organization
The demand for high-performance plastics is increasing worldwide. A company in the chemical industry wants to increase the total capacity of its polymer production by more than 50% with a new plant complex. Together with ROI-EFESO, it is aligning its organizational structure to growth and profitability and is realizing an annually recurring benefit of more than EUR 1.5 million through process improvements.
Chemical company on the way to climate neutrality
In order to achieve the self-imposed goal of being climate-neutral by 2050, a manufacturer of basic chemicals has to put its entire business model to the test. ROI-EFESO supported the client with robust scenario planning to develop a sustainability roadmap that enables sustainable growth in a challenging industry environment.
Sustainable Chem: New start for the organization
In order to achieve the self-imposed goal of being climate-neutral by 2050, a manufacturer of basic chemicals has to put its entire business model to the test. ROI-EFESO supported the client with robust scenario planning to develop a sustainability roadmap that enables sustainable growth in a challenging industry environment.