How can digitalisation help chemicals companies build the Circular Economy ?
Dr Paige Marie Morse , industry director at Aspen Technology , looks at how chemical companies can use technology to enhance their triple bottom line
Across the asset-intensive industries , sustainability remains a hot topic for manufacturers , customers and investors alike . The drive to become more sustainable is now leading the debate around boardroom tables of chemicals companies as these organisations look to invest in more environmentally friendly energy sources and use digitalisation to deliver more sustainable operations over the long term , while also delivering enhanced profitability . After all , to remain competitive and relevant in the marketplace of tomorrow , chemicals companies need to retain focus on growing the ‘ triple bottom line ’, balancing the impact of their operations on people , planet and profits . Technology market research firm ARC Advisory Group recently confirmed that most global chemical companies have sustainability initiatives in place and they view digital technologies as critical to progressing their work , although many are struggling to resource their efforts adequately . COVID-19 has accelerated this process . The collective health of communities and our planet , and the interlinked nature of climate , ecology and social crises , have all become clearer in 2020 and 2021 . Corporate resilience and long-term survival are common discussions these days , in boardrooms and investor events ( albeit virtually , at least for the foreseeable future ).
Whatever the future may hold for the chemicals industry , we know that sustainability is here to stay . In this context , they face two main challenges . First , they need to think about how to deliver short-term efficiency improvements to reduce carbon emissions , water use and waste production . Second , they must decide how to deliver on longerterm goals to develop new energy sources and products for the Circular Economy , based on the principles of eliminating emissions and waste , and regenerating resources . The latter objective exacts particular demands for the chemicals industry . The targets are ambitious , and businesses have a long way to go . In its recent report , ‘ Winning in a Circular Economy ’, Accenture found that , as of 2018 , of the 140 million tonnes / year of chemical products consumed in EU countries , only 9 million become available in recyclable , and typically fragmented , waste streams . 1 The report also explains that almost 70 % of the material consumed is neither accessible for recovery nor recycling , since the chemicals are either dispersed in the environment or cannot be separated from the final product .
Finding a way forward
Yet , help is at hand . There is a growing understanding that innovation strategies are fundamental for chemical companies to progress toward Circular Economy goals , and digital technologies are critical to accelerating this effort . Innovative supply chain systems are already enabling companies to better integrate post-consumer materials into their value chains , while advanced process control technologies are enabling lower energy use and waste generation in production processes . For longer-term product and process development , process simulations help researchers screen a variety of alternatives to select the most viable and cost-effective option , whether for new polymer production , chemical recycling processes or integration of bio-based raw materials , while also comparing the energy demand and
CO 2 emissions for each alternative . These simulations are even more accurate and accessible using a hybrid modelling approach , which combines artificial intelligence ( AI ) with first-principle model design and domain expertise . Engineers can now build enriched process models
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