The future of the chemical and material industries hinges on collaboration, as industrial growth accelerates, and new competitors disrupt various sectors in the post-COVID industrial boom. Polymer manufacturers, equipment providers, and end-users are collaborating more than ever, with automation being the key driver of this shift. This is bringing a transformation across the value chain, emphasizing data-driven insights and monetization. And the best part? Many new and exciting growth opportunities.
Frost & Sullivan’s recent Think Tank, “The Transformation Impacting the Chemical & Material Industries: Leveraging Industrial Automation to Gain a Competitive Edge,” explores the role of automation on high-value chemical and material applications across various industries. Led by experts from Frost & Sullivan, the discussion highlights key opportunities for automation-led innovation, cost-efficiency, and product optimization across domains like automotives, aerospace, and manufacturing.
The session brought together leading Growth Experts from the domain:
Brian Balmer
Growth Expert & Practice Area Leader, Chemicals & Materials
Christeena Thomas
Growth Expert & Research Manager – Chemicals, Materials & Nutrition
Aditya Krishna
Growth Expert &
Industry Analyst
Gain valuable perspectives from these experts by clicking here to access the discussion’s recording.
You can also download our expert growth analyses: Click here for lucrative opportunities in industrial automation for adhesives, and click here for the latest strategic imperatives impacting polymers in the electrical and electronic equipment domain.
During this event, our panelists identified key strategic imperatives for achieving long-term growth:
Revolutionizing Coatings & Adhesives Through Automation Integration
- Automation is significantly altering the way coatings and adhesives are formulated and applied across industries like automotive, aerospace, and marine.
- There is an increase in robotic systems, such as spray applicators, and advanced coatings that meet precise standards for consistency and durability — like fast-curing coatings and radiation-cured formulations.
- Companies like PPG, Axalta, and Henkel are investing in specialized products tailored for automated application systems, enhancing product performance in these demanding sectors.
Snapshot: Synergy for Efficiency and Sustainability
Costa and Siemens have installed smart sensors in extrusion machines, allowing real-time adjustments to polymer flow. This innovation reduces wastage and improves efficiency, showcasing the power of synergy between polymer manufacturers and equipment providers.
Learn more about industry leaders and their best practices here
Autonomous Vehicles Driving Advanced Material Development
- As autonomous vehicles (AVs) are increasing in number, the demand for specialized materials that meet sensors and environmental compatibility is growing.
- Formulated products such as coatings help ensure transparency, low reflectivity, and the ability to withstand various environmental conditions to support the functionality of Lidar and radar sensors.
- Industry leaders like 3M and Axon Nobel are at the forefront, developing hydrophobic, oleophobic, and self-cleaning coatings to ensure sensor accuracy and maximize AV safety and efficiency.
Collaboration Across Value Chains
- Automation is catalyzing synergy not just between polymer and equipment manufacturers, but also between equipment makers and end users. This interaction is evident in automotive production lines, where polymer injection molding machines are critical for high-volume part production, ensuring constant top-level machine performance.
- Real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and expert customer assistance are becoming key differentiators for companies aiming to provide value-added services that enhance long-term customer relationships.
Don’t stop here! The Think Tank examined more lucrative growth opportunities. Here are a few:
– Supply Chain Automation and Circular Economy
– AI, Machine Learning, and Digital Twins for Chemicals/Materials
– Growth Opportunities in Renewable Energy Adoption
To access the free on-demand recording of the Think Tank, click here.
To check out our Growth Analyses on automation in the Chemical and Material Industry, click here and click here.
“Automation has been having an exciting effect on the way materials moves through the value chain, particularly in the coatings and adhesives industries, with improvements in both production processes and the final application of these products.”
Christeena Thomas
Growth Expert & Research Manager Chemicals, Materials & Nutrition
