“The digital transformation of chemical distribution will accelerate; that’s a fact. However, I cannot imagine that we will trade all products digitally in the future. In some cases we are dealing with highly sensitive products, whose sales processes we have to keep in our hands. I just think, for example, of end-use certification or Responsible Care regulations. In this area, digitization definitely reaches its limits.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) has made groundbreaking progress in recent years, particularly through innovations in machine learning and neural networks. These developments are largely driven by deep learning technologies, which enable the recognition of complex data patterns and the achievement of human-like performance in areas such as speech recognition, image processing, and decision-making.
Global water scarcity is now urgent due to climate change, population growth, and unsustainable practices. 700 million people could be displaced by 2030, warns UNICEF, especially in water-intensive industries like personal care, textiles, food production, and paint.
The chemical industry is shifting to sustainability-related products, with demand growing 4.5 times faster than conventional ones. Companies must revise their market strategies to capitalize on this opportunity.
The path to a sustainable, net-zero future for the chemical industry is paved with challenges – and also opportunities.
Valerie Diele-Braun, CEO of IMCD, shares her vision for sustainability, global expansions, and strategic direction in an exclusive CHEManager International interview.
