Adoption of Emerging Technology in the Chemical Industry

Rafael Lopes, Global Director, Digital Transformation Project Management, Buckman

Impact of Smart Technology

A few years ago, the chemical industry realized that digitalization (here called Smart Technologies) was not only a necessity, but a matter of survival and staying relevant in the market. So today, any new asset project already includes many digitalization tools, just as any new business or process optimization project does. Digitalization is an inseparable enabler in business or process optimization projects. In this way, new technologies are intrinsically linked with the future of our business.

Use of Novel Technology

Certainly, the use of Artificial Intelligence for modelling industrial and business processes already helps us profoundly. In addition, IoT technologies for remote asset monitoring are already consolidated and being widely used.

“Digitalization is an inseparable enabler in business or process optimization projects”

Innovations at Buckman

Buckman’s vision is to create value for customers through knowledge. This knowledge is translated into applications that optimize our customers’ processes, increase their operational security, and save natural resources, all in a sustainable way and within strict standards of corporate governance. The technologies correlated to Industry 4.0 are very important enablers of this vision. Therefore, we at Buckman continually strive to be on the leading edge of technological advances in this area. Last year we launched a remote monitoring and control tool for cooling towers called Ackumen™ Cooling Management. This year we also launched another tool for remote monitoring and control of boilers, called Ackumen Boiler Management. Ackumen Cooling Management and Ackumen Boiler Digital Transformation 2023.

Management are already at dozens of customers’ facilities where we anticipate them making a huge impact in saving water, chemicals, energy and personnel time on site. Another great technology that is solving a deep problem on the Sugar and Ethanol Market is Echowise. We are using Echowise to measure the evolution of fermentation and adjust some process parameters to better adjust it. We already generated relevant benefits in some customers in Brazil and this another very exciting piece of technology.

Often, Digitalization and Industry 4.0 knowledge does not leave the IT silo. It is the role of the Digital Transformation Executive to educate his peers within the company, showing that such technologies are already a reality. However, a careful analysis of value and timeframe for return on investment is very necessary, as well as a rigorous methodology for prioritization and project portfolio management. This is a point of no return, and it is necessary that top management embraces the coming of these new technologies. The sooner companies adopt these technologies, the greater the potential gains. However, everything must be done within clear criteria, with a solid methodology for capturing and measuring return.