Statement: Lars Schneider, EMEA CEO, Barentz
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts from a broad range of chemical distributors to share their views on how their companies are dealing with this changing economic environment and the resulting opportunities and challenges.
The specialty ingredients and chemicals sector face a complex landscape. Geopolitical instability, rising regulatory demands, competition for skilled talent, and the increasing need for cybersecurity are key challenges impacting industries such as energy and automotive in EMEA. However, these pressures also create opportunities. Distributors, with a highly educated workforce, can offer specialized services and foster innovation to meet evolving customer needs. Addressing regulatory complexities and ensuring robust supply chains are just some of the ways distributors can deliver value. Additionally, rapid advances in sectors like electronics, automotive, pharma, and personal care drive demand for distributors’ expertise in advanced, sustainable ingredients. Embracing digital tools further supports business transformation, enhancing efficiency and strengthening customer relationships.
Despite economic and geopolitical headwinds, investment remains essential in several areas. The development and engagement of personnel is paramount, especially as we strive to attract and retain skilled talent. Additionally, investment in ESG and DEI is critical to align with industry expectations and meet stakeholder demands. Technological upgrades—such as ERP systems, data analytics, and AI—are vital for process efficiencies, enhancing decision-making, and enabling a growing sophistication of our offering. Our laboratories and technical staff are our investment into in-house innovation capabilities, and they empower us to drive innovation directly, while a robust supply chain setup ensures we can meet customer demands reliably.
Innovation is a significant growth driver in the specialty chemicals industry, and distributors are uniquely positioned to facilitate it. As intermediaries, we connect suppliers and customers, gathering and sharing insights on market trends, requirements, and product performance. By leveraging our extensive data and knowledge, we help suppliers understand the evolving needs of diverse market segments. In-house labs enable us to develop proprietary solutions and promote new technologies, bridging the gap between production capabilities and customer expectations. This approach helps overcome structural challenges in the supply chain, fostering collaboration and ultimately driving industry innovation.
“Innovation is a significant growth driver in the specialty chemicals industry, and distributors are uniquely positioned to facilitate it.”
