Digitalization is a very important topic not only in the chemical industry as a whole, but also in chemical distribution. As Wolfgang Falter states in his article: Customers increasingly search online and initiate digital contacts via websites, social networks, search engines and commercial platforms. Those distributors that they do not find online are no longer present in the relevant markets.

This development has led to many discussions within the chemical distribution industry on how best to address the issue of digitalization.

CHEManager asked executives and industry experts familiar with the development of e-commerce in chemical distribution to share their opinion on what needs to be done in order to survive in an increasingly competitive environment and how to deal with a possible disruption caused by new digital developments. We wanted to know:

Will e-commerce platforms in chemical distribution be more successful today than CheMatch, ChemSystems, ChemConnect et. al. were 20 years ago?

Frank Schneider: Digital or e-commerce platforms in chemical distribution are already more successful than their predecessors of 20 years ago and will continue to do so, on a significantly higher level than they do today.

Who in the chemical supply chain from principal to distributor, logistics provider, online retailer, start-up to customer will be winners/losers in online distribution?

Frank Schneider: All stakeholders in the chemical supply chain can and will be winners in online distribution – if only they focus on their core strengths, are creative and prepared to think outside of conventional boxes.

What do you (either alone or with partners) plan regarding online distribution?

Frank Schneider: IMCD is assessing all online distribution options actually. Our assessment could lead to an offering of an own platform in combination with the participation at external platforms.