Revolutionizing the Chemical Industry: How Dow Is Embracing Digital Transformation

Narayan Ramesh, Senior Core R&D Director, Dow

The 2024 CIEX North America conference in Indianapolis was an exceptional gathering of thought leaders, innovators, and professionals from the chemical industry. The conference fostered dynamic discussions on key trends and technologies shaping the future of chemical innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. Among the standout sessions was a presentation by Narayan Ramesh, Senior Core R&D Director at Dow, who shared insights into how digital tools and data-driven strategies are revolutionizing Dow’s approach to materials science and sustainability.

In our 2024 recap, we’re excited to offer a summary of Narayan’s presentation. Read on or click the link below to listen to the full audio presentation.

Narayan Ramesh, Senior Core R&D Director, Dow

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Session Summary: Dow’s Strategy for Digital Transformation in the Chemical Industry

As industries around the world strive to reduce their environmental impact and enhance operational efficiency, the integration of digital technologies into traditional chemical processes is playing a critical role. At the core of Dow’s digital strategy is the use of AI and machine learning models to accelerate material innovation and process optimization.

Narayan explained that digital tools enable Dow to design and test materials at a much faster pace than traditional methods. “By using advanced algorithms and simulations, we can predict material properties and behaviors before they are even synthesized.” This approach not only accelerates the R&D process but also significantly reduces the cost and time needed for testing and prototyping. “We can predict material properties and behaviors before they are even synthesized.”

Through the use of high-throughput data analysis, Dow can now simulate and model entire product lifecycles, enabling the company to identify the most sustainable materials early in the design phase. This digital approach is transforming the way Dow develops and manufactures products, ensuring that sustainability is woven into the fabric of innovation from the outset.

AI and Big Data’s Role in Optimizing Chemical Production

One of the most impactful applications of digital transformation at Dow is in the optimization of chemical production processes. Narayan discussed how Dow is using big data and AI models to improve operational efficiencies in its manufacturing plants. Through real-time data collection and analysis, Dow can make instant adjustments to processes, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

He highlighted Dow’s use of predictive maintenance models, which analyze sensor data from equipment to predict failures before they occur. “By using AI-driven predictive models, we can anticipate potential breakdowns and proactively address them,” he explained. This not only reduces downtime and maintenance costs but also ensures that production processes are running smoothly and sustainably. “By using AI-driven predictive models, we can anticipate potential breakdowns and proactively address them.”

The Role of Digital Transformation in Sustainability Goals

Sustainability is a cornerstone of Dow’s innovation strategy, and digital transformation plays a key role in achieving the company’s sustainability goals. Narayan emphasized that through data analytics and digital tools, Dow is able to develop more sustainable materials and reduce its carbon footprint. For example, digital modeling allows Dow to create lighter, stronger materials that require fewer resources to produce, reducing energy consumption and emissions in the process. Narayan: “The ability to simulate the entire lifecycle of a product helps us make smarter decisions that lead to more sustainable outcomes.”

Regulatory Challenges and the Need for Collaborative Innovation

Despite the significant advancements Dow is making in digital transformation and sustainability, Narayan acknowledged the challenges that remain, particularly in terms of the regulatory landscape. The rapidly evolving landscape of sustainability regulations, especially around carbon emissions and material use, requires a flexible approach to innovation.

“Regulatory environments are changing quickly, and it’s important that industry leaders like Dow work collaboratively with regulators and other stakeholders to ensure that new technologies can be adopted and scaled.”

This collaboration will be essential in overcoming barriers and driving wider adoption of digital solutions in chemical production. Additionally, Narayan discussed the importance of industry-wide collaboration in tackling the sustainability challenges facing the sector. “Collaboration is key to driving meaningful change. By working together with our partners and customers, we can ensure that digital transformation delivers the greatest value for all,”

The Economic Case for Digital Transformation

One of the key takeaways from the presentation was the economic case for digital transformation in the chemical industry. The cost savings achieved through operational optimization, reduced energy consumption, and waste reduction are significant drivers of Dow’s digital strategy. Narayan highlighted that while digital technologies require upfront investment, the long-term savings and benefits far outweigh the costs. “Digital transformation is not just about improving efficiency; it’s about creating value. By reducing energy consumption, improving process reliability, and enhancing product performance, we can deliver economic benefits while also achieving our sustainability goals.”

Conclusion

Digital transformation in the chemical industry is reshaping the landscape, with companies like Dow leading the way in harnessing technology to drive innovation and sustainability. By leveraging AI, machine learning, and big data, Dow is transforming the way it designs, produces, and delivers materials. The integration of these digital tools allows Dow to not only improve its operational efficiency but also make meaningful strides toward achieving its environmental sustainability targets.

As the chemical industry continues to evolve, digital transformation will be a key enabler of future innovations. By fostering collaboration, embracing new technologies, and ensuring that sustainability remains at the core of its operations, Dow is poised to help shape the future of chemical production.

The CIEX conference is the place to establish new collaborations, connect with potential partners, and expand your network!

Join us at CIEX 2025 – Chemical Innovation Exchange Summit on September 17 & 18, 2025, to hear from and engage with industry leaders, global experts, and innovative thinkers from around the world.

CIEX is designed for C-level R&D, Innovation, and Sustainability experts from the consumer, industrial, and specialty chemical sectors. Keynote presentations, panel discussions, round tables, and one-on-one meetings give you every opportunity to connect with the chemical leaders of today and tomorrow.

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Advancing Sustainability: The Role of Carbon Capture and Utilization – CCU in the Chemical Industry

Advancing Sustainability: The Role of Carbon Capture and Utilization- CCU in the Chemical Industry

Insights from Celese’s Global Head of Sustainability

The 2024 CIEX North America conference in Indianapolis was a tremendous success, bringing together chemical leaders to share cutting-edge advancements, discuss real-world case studies from global players and build lasting professional connections. The event stood out by fostering meaningful synergies and creating opportunities for collaboration among potential partners.

To give you a glimpse of the insights shared, we are excited to feature an article based on one of the event presentations—delivered by Celanese’s Global Head of Sustainability, Kevin Norfleet. You can explore the session summary or listen to the full audio presentation below:

Kevin Norfleet, Global Head of Sustainability, Celanese

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Introduction

As industries worldwide seek sustainable solutions to reduce carbon emissions, Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) is emerging as a game-changer. One of its most promising applications is methanol production, a vital component in numerous industrial and consumer products. By adopting CCU, we can move toward a circular carbon economy, minimizing reliance on fossil resources and significantly lowering emissions.

Understanding CCU and Its Industrial Relevance

CCU technology plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions by capturing CO2 and converting it into valuable products. Kevin emphasizes that the chemical industry must move beyond theoretical discussions and take practical steps toward implementation. “We could talk about CCU till we’re blue in the face, but if we insist on the perfect solution—using only green hydrogen and direct air capture CO2—the costs will be so extraordinary that nothing’s ever going to happen,” he notes. Instead, he advocates for incremental advancements that align with current economic realities.

“We could talk about CCU till we’re blue in the face, but if we insist on the perfect solution—using only green hydrogen and direct air capture CO2—the costs will be so extraordinary that nothing’s ever going to happen.”

One of the key applications of CCU is the production of methanol, a versatile chemical that serves as a building block for numerous industrial processes. Kevin explains, “With methanol, we then make an incredible array of things… turning methanol into acetic acid, which then transforms into adhesives, construction materials, and other essential products.” By utilizing CO2-derived methanol, industries can significantly lower their carbon footprint while maintaining supply chain stability.

Regulatory Challenges and Market Adoption

Despite the clear environmental benefits of CCU, regulatory frameworks often lag behind technological advancements. Kevin Norfleet points out the inconsistencies in policy approaches, particularly in Europe. “Within the same regulatory environment, mass balance accounting is accepted for sustainable aviation fuel but rejected for building products,” he observes. This fragmentation makes it difficult for industries to scale sustainable innovations, despite growing consumer and corporate interest in carbon footprint reduction.

Another significant challenge is the disconnect between demand signals along the supply chain. Many large corporations have ambitious sustainability goals but struggle to translate them into actionable procurement strategies. “Oftentimes, demand signals are lost in long supply chains, where smaller intermediaries lack the resources to track and communicate carbon footprint data,” Kevin explains. To address this, he stresses the need for clearer commercial structures that integrate sustainability into pricing models and business agreements.

“Oftentimes, demand signals are lost in long supply chains, where smaller intermediaries lack the resources to track and communicate carbon footprint data.”

The Economic Case for CCU

One of the key takeaways from Norfleet’s presentation is the economic viability of CCU, particularly in industrial hubs like Houston, where CO2 emissions are abundant. “We don’t think there’s ever going to be a shortage of CO2,” he notes, underscoring the potential to harness these emissions for sustainable production. The challenge, however, lies in making the business case compelling enough for widespread adoption.

Celanese has taken a pragmatic approach by ensuring that CCU-derived methanol meets robust sustainability credentials while remaining commercially viable. Norfleet emphasizes that the ultimate goal is to demonstrate market demand: “What success looks like is if I can sell all of this CCU methanol we made and prove that there is a market—then we can go do more.”

Conclusion

CCU methanol represents a critical step toward a more sustainable industrial landscape. While challenges remain, the potential benefits—both environmental and economic—make it a worthwhile pursuit. By fostering collaboration, refining regulations, and creating commercial structures that reward sustainability, we can unlock the full potential of CCU and redefine the future of chemical production.

Are you a C-level professional seeking to establish new collaborations, connect with potential partners, and expand your network? Join us at CIEX 2025 – Chemical Innovation Exchange Summit to hear from and engage with industry leaders, global experts, and innovative thinkers from around the world.

After a celebrated first edition of CIEX North America at The Center in Indianapolis, we are happy to return on September 17&18 2025! Expect an expanded show floor, additional networking opportunities, side events and of course two days of high-level exchanges, networking and discussions.

CIEX is designed for C-level R&D, Innovation, and Sustainability experts from the consumer, industrial, and specialty chemical sectors. Keynote presentations, panel discussions, round tables as well as one-on-one meetings give you every opportunity to connect with the chemical leaders of today and tomorrow.

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Exploring Digital Transformation’s Impact on Chemical Research with DOW

Exploring Digital Transformation’s Impact on Chemical Research with DOW. CIEX 2024 Speaker Interview with Rui Vogt Alves da Cruz, VP of Core R&D, Dow

Rui Vogt Alves da Cruz, VP Core R&D, Dow

Today, we interviewed Rui Vogt Alves da Cruz from Dow to discuss key insights ahead of his upcoming session at CIEX in Indianapolis this October.

Rui Cruz, vice president for Dow Core R&D, a global Research and Development organization which drives the long-term R&D vision for Dow. Prior to this role, Rui was the senior regional R&D director for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region and Core R&D director for Europe. He joined Dow in Brazil in 2001, having worked in Human Resources, Customer Services, Technical Services, and Research and Development for several different businesses and technologies.

Read the short interview below to learn more about Rui’s session “Impact of Digital Transformation on Research and Development”.

CIEX: Without giving too much away – what is the core message of your talk and what would you like delegates to remember?

Rui: How the digital transformation is impacting and accelerating chemical and material science research.

CIEX: What motivates you to join CIEX this year?

Rui: The ability to meet and discuss industry challenges with other great leaders in the field. I had a great time participating in CIEX in Europe in my previous role.

CIEX: With deglobalization, circularity and the energy transition as key trends currently shaping the chemical industry, what are the challenges to overcome and opportunities to harness?

Rui: The industry can have a great impact to the overall sustainability challenges, both in terms of improving our own footprint and also providing our customers with products and technologies that will support decarbonization and circularity journeys.

CIEX: What is one project or initiative in the industry, outside of your own company and associations that really inspired you recently, and why?

Rui: Our overall decarbonize and growth strategy, and specifically our Path2Zero project with a carbon-neutral cracker and derivatives plant in Alberta, Canada is extremely exciting and demonstrates how technology addresses our sustainability challenges, meets customer and market needs and generates great business.

CIEX: Thank you so much, Rui! We look forward to seeing you at CIEX 2024!

The 10th Annual Chemical Innovation Exchange Summit (CIEX) is created for C-level R&D, Innovation and Sustainability experts from the consumer, industrial and speciality chemical sectors. This intimate event is about creating value – bringing the right people together, creating synergies, and actively connecting with potential partners. CIEX will take place in Indianapolis on October 23-24. Companies presenting include Dow, Ashland, Cargill, Huntsman, Monument Chemical, US DOE, BASF, The Heritage Group, and many more.

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Circular Economy: How Specialty Polymers Can Enable Sustainable Solutions – Insights from CIEX 2024 Speaker

Circular Economy: How Specialty Polymers Can Enable Sustainable Solutions – Insights from CIEX 2024

Speaker interview with David Thomas, Global R&I Director, Specialty Polymers, Syensqo

CIEX: Without giving too much away – what is the core message of your talk and what would you like delegates to remember?

David: During the panel session my core message will focus on how specialty polymers can be a key enabler of the circular economy, but there are still some important challenges to overcome. I aim to emphasise how Syensqo is leading the way in developing advanced materials that not only replace traditional ones but also contribute significantly to sustainability efforts. I want delegates to remember that the chemical industry holds a pivotal role in this transition, and by innovating responsibly, we can create materials that support a more sustainable and circular future.

David Thomas, Global R&I Director, Specialty Polymers, Syensqo

CIEX: What motivates you to join CIEX this year?

David: I am motivated to join CIEX this year by the opportunity to engage with other thought leaders and innovators in the chemical industry. CIEX offers a unique platform for exchanging ideas, exploring emerging trends, and forging strategic partnerships. The focus on innovation, sustainability, and R&D aligns perfectly with Syensqo’s mission to push the boundaries of what’s possible with specialty polymers. Additionally, I am eager to contribute to and learn from discussions on how we can collectively navigate and shape the future of our industry.

CIEX: With deglobalization, circularity and the energy transition as key trends currently shaping the chemical industry, what are the challenges to overcome and opportunities to harness?

David: The challenges we face include the need to rethink supply chains to ensure resilience and adaptability in a deglobalizing world, developing technologies that enable true circularity, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. In the public sphere, the regulatory landscape needs to be updated to better enable the new circular economy. However, these challenges also present significant opportunities. By embracing circularity, we can drive innovation in recycling and waste management, creating new business models and revenue streams. The energy transition offers a chance to develop cutting-edge materials for clean energy technologies, positioning the chemical industry as a key player in the fight against climate change.

CIEX: What is one project or initiative in the industry, outside of your own company and associations that really inspired you recently, and why?

David: One inspiring chemical industry project that has recently gained attention is the ChemCycling initiative by BASF. Launched in 2018, this initiative focuses on the chemical recycling of plastic waste that cannot be effectively recycled through mechanical means. The process involves converting mixed plastic waste and end-of-life tires into pyrolysis oil, which is then used as a feedstock in BASF‘s production, effectively replacing fossil resources.

This project is inspiring because it showcases how innovative thinking in chemistry can provide solutions to complex environmental challenges while also addressing the real challenge of reverse logistics. It demonstrates the potential for the chemical industry to be a leader in sustainability and circular economy principles, rather than being seen solely as part of the problem.

CIEX: If the future of the chemical industry is high-tech, low carbon – what are 3 essential elements needed today, to realize this?

David:

Investment in R&D: Continuous investment in research and development is critical to discover and commercialise new materials and technologies that are both high-performing and environmentally friendly. This includes advancements in recycling technologies and the development of biodegradable or bio-based polymers.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Building strong collaborations across the value chain from raw material suppliers to end users is essential. By working together, we can accelerate innovation, share best practices, and develop integrated solutions that address the complex challenges of sustainability.
Regulatory Support and Incentives: Governments and regulatory bodies play a crucial role in shaping the industry’s future. Supportive policies, incentives for green innovations, and stringent regulations on carbon emissions and waste management can drive the industry towards a more sustainable path. These elements create an environment where sustainable practices are not only encouraged but also economically viable.

CIEX: Thank you so much, David! We look forward to seeing you at CIEX 2024!

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Pioneering Sustainable Innovation: Ashland’s Strategy for a High-Tech, Low-Carbon Future

Pioneering Sustainable Innovation: Ashland’s Strategy for a High-Tech, Low-Carbon Future. Interview with CIEX NA speaker- Osama M. Musa, senior vice president and chief technology officer, Ashland

CIEX: Osama, thank you for joining the speaker panel for CIEX 2024! Without giving too much away – what is the core message of your talk and what would you like delegates to remember?

Ashland (NYSE: ASH) is a global, consumer market-focused additives and speciality ingredients company that is responsibly solving for a better world. Through science and a conscious and proactive mindset for sustainability, we invented “new to the world” technology for customers in pharmaceutical, personal care, architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage.

CIEX: What motivates you to join CIEX this year?

Osama M. Musa, SVP & CTO, Ashland

Ashland has launched exciting, new technology platforms aligned to our core that extend to secondary markets with new and differentiated capabilities to unlock organic growth for us and for our customers worldwide. We believe our platform solutions are applicable to CIEX because they bring “new to the world”, sustainable innovations, offering choice to customers, prospects and consumers in personal care, pharma, coatings and more. These technology platforms enable users to reshape global megatrends and respond to various regulatory landscapes. If CIEX C-level R&D, Innovation, and Sustainability experts aren’t familiar with them, or the capabilities they can bring, they should contact us to meet and learn more.

CIEX: With deglobalization, circularity and the energy transition as key trends currently shaping the chemical industry, what are the challenges to overcome and opportunities to harness?

At Ashland, we are passionate, tenacious scientists who thrive on answering the most complex challenges. We view deglobalization, circularity and energy transition as opportunities and we consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) as part of our strategic business and operating plans.

Product design and lifecycle management – Ashland takes a holistic innovations approach with environmentally responsible, cradle to grave consideration, incorporating upcycling and circularity models that proactively help customers manage the lifecycle of their products. This includes inception through the engineering, design, and manufacture, through service and disposal, reuse, or biodegradability in the environment. We understand the desire that every product must be accounted for at every stage of its life.

Innovation and technology – Ashland is at the forefront of the design, synthesis and production of additives and specialty ingredients essential to everyday life and we take an innovative approach to answering our customers most complex challenges. This includes waste and hazardous materials management. As a responsible care company, we strive to mitigate and continuously reduce our manufacturing risk and we have robust management systems to help ensure we are operating responsibly and transparently.

Ashland is managing our environmental footprint by tracking and working towards science based targets to reduce our manufacturing footprint through renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Our R&D, commercial and manufacturing teams are identifying creative solutions that drive towards lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.

CIEX: If the future of the chemical industry is high-tech, low carbon – what are 3 essential elements needed today, to realize this?

First, regarding climate change risks and management, Ashland has set near term science-based targets to help continue to reduce our emissions as a part of the broader global initiative to limit global warming to 1.5C. We are both assessing and responding to climate risk in our operations and supply chain because this is an important part of our long-term business continuity. As a global company with sites in many countries around the globe, moving to low-carbon manufacturing is complex yet essential to realizing our goals in the manufacture and delivery of safe products and solutions for customers and the environment.

This includes employing Good Manufacturing Practice principles in personal care and life sciences; minimizing quality risk through robust risk assessment and mitigation; increasing natural, nature derived, biodegradable and sustainable in use product solutions and eliminating or reducing hazardous chemicals through innovative processing and manufacturing of products.

The long-term success for Ashland as well as our customers also must include operating transparently. Credibility over time builds trust. And that trust only comes from clear transparency in everything we do. Therefore, as we solve, we take a steadfast adherence to core values to avoid conflicts of interest and consistently track and hone accounting practices. Our board of director members, committees and ESG work groups focus on ESG transparent management systems.

Second, Ashland’s business model resilience includes responsibly innovating which means high engagement with customers and industry ecosystems to customize, invest and explore new growth initiatives so we deliver consistent and reliable value for stakeholders. Ashland has a strong innovation culture and capabilities, and we have aligned our technology portfolio where environmental, social and governance (ESG) is a growth and innovation opportunity.

And third, ethical corporate behavior and safety is at the foundation of everything we do. We strive to be transparent and ethical in all that we do and have a robust system of ethics and compliance controls that ensure we operate in a legal and fully ethical manner.

Ashland has an effective and active governance structure and mechanisms where ESG is integrated into our board and senior leadership activities and oversight. Our employee and leadership compensation are tied to our sustainability performance to drive ownership, accountability, and continued success in our initiatives.

Secure your spot at the CIEX Summit and register today!

Enhancing Domestic Supply Chains and Recycling Critical Battery Materials

Enhancing Domestic Supply Chains and Recycling Critical Battery Materials with Cirba Solutions

Interview with CIEX NA 2024 speaker -David Klanecky, CEO, Cirba Solutions

CIEX: Without giving too much away – what is the core message of your talk and what would you like delegates to remember?

David Klanecky
CEO
Cirba Solutions

David: During my session at this year’s CIEX NA, I want attendees to understand the critical need for enhancing our domestic supply chain, ultimately becoming less reliant on foreign entities for critical materials and ensuring we work toward something that is sustainable for all parties in the supply chain.

To do this effectively, we need to shift the paradigm on how we source raw materials domestically and create a closed-loop approach supply of critical battery materials. By sourcing domestically, and specifically recycling and reusing, we can have a significant impact on cost and reduce the carbon footprint.

The demand for critical, battery-grade materials is rapidly outpacing supply, especially due to the rapid growth of electric vehicles. With EV adoption projections over the next 10 years, recycling is a crucial component to meeting the supply and demand. These materials can be used over and over again, they are infinitely recyclable. And that is where recycling comes in. The largest mine we have today is on our own roads and in our homes – in our junk drawers, the tools in our garage, and even our electric/hybrid cars.

CIEX: What motivates you to join CIEX this year?

David: As chemical engineers and business leaders, we must play an active role in the evolving multitude of transformational changes we are undergoing in society today, including electrification of how we move goods and the creation of sustainable supply chains. These are difficult problems to solve and cannot be accomplished in a vacuum. By joining CIEX this year, those of us in the chemical manufacturing fields can collaborate and share ideas to help in providing solutions for these societal issues.

CIEX: With deglobalization, circularity and the energy transition as key trends currently shaping the chemical industry, what are the challenges to overcome and opportunities to harness?

David: Today, North America produces the 3rd largest volume of end-of-life batteries in the world, and only about 5% are recycled. Batteries that are not recycled often end up in landfills or are shipped to other countries. This improper disposal poses a serious threat to the environment. Landfilled batteries can leak toxic chemicals, polluting our soil and water sources. Additionally, they can cause thermal events.

Approximately 95% of the critical minerals in an end-of-life battery can be extracted and repurposed. These recovered materials can be reused in the production of new batteries, reducing reliance on virgin resources.

If they are shipped to another country, then we lose the opportunity to recover and reuse them, rendering our supply chains vulnerable.

Even as the recycling industry heats up, we are playing a game of catch-up. As new battery chemistry and pack/module designs emerge, recyclers must adapt by the time those cars reach their end-of-life, which could be 8-10 years down the line. Recyclers need to stay ahead of the innovation curve and build foundational recycling processes that can easily adapt to and integrate with the evolving needs of the market and partners. This ensures efficient, sustainable resource recovery that ultimately benefits American consumers.

CIEX: What is one project or initiative in the industry, outside of your own company and associations that really inspired you recently, and why?

David: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which is a requirement that some states are adopting to ensure that more batteries are recycled at their end of life. It ensures that there is a longer-term outcome required for each battery (at end-of-life), and companies like Cirba Solutions can become the ‘preferred’ battery recycler to ensure these batteries are recycled and the critical materials are recovered.

CIEX: If the future of the chemical industry is high-tech, low carbon – what are 3 essential elements needed today, to realize this?

David: Sourcing Domestically: It is estimated that in some cases, critical battery metals for cathode active materials travel over 50,000 miles before they reach a lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility. If we change our approach to how we source critical materials, we can reduce nearly 96% of logistical movement and the CO2 associated with it by sourcing critical minerals domestically.

Recycled content in EVs: By using premium upgraded recycled metals, we will make an additional impact on CO2 emissions. With recycled materials, we see:

A 40% reduction of CO2 per ton of Lithium produced when using recycled materials compared to mining.
10% reduction of CO2 per ton of Nickel produced when using recycled materials compared to mining.
8% reduction of CO2 per ton of Cobalt produced when using recycled materials compared to mining

Continued legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act: With legislation, we can promote the development of a domestic, circular battery supply chain, which will be critical in pushing forward EV and battery manufacturing growth.

Initiatives like this which aim to address climate challenges by providing tax credits and grants are a critical component in pushing forward a transition and securing our domestic lithium supply chain.
This is significant because responsible and sustainable domestic sourcing and processing of the critical materials used to make lithium-ion batteries will strengthen American supply chains, accelerate battery production to meet increased demand and secure the nation’s economic competitiveness, energy independence, and national security.

CIEX: Thank you so much, David! We look forward to hearing more from you at CIEX 2024!

The 10th Annual Chemical Innovation Exchange Summit (CIEX) is created for C-level R&D, Innovation and Sustainability experts from the consumer, industrial and speciality chemical sectors. This intimate event is about creating value – bringing the right people together, creating synergies, and actively connecting with potential partners. CIEX will take place in Indianapolis on October 23-24. Companies presenting include: Dow, Ashland, Cargill, Huntsman, Monument Chemical, Evonik, Celanese, US DOE, BASF, ACS, AdvanSix, The Heritage Group, and many more.

Secure your spot at the CIEX Summit and register today!

Driving Sustainable Chemistry: Overcoming Challenges and Harnessing Opportunities in the Chemical Industry

Speaker Interview with Joel Tickner from Change Chemistry

Joel Tickner, Executive Director, Change Chemistry

CIEX: Without giving too much away – what is the core message of your talk and what would you like delegates to remember?

Joel: Commercialization and adoption of sustainable chemistry are challenging given the incumbency of existing chemicals that are integrated into global supply chains, capitalized and whose uses have been optimized over decades. Add to this the fact that R&D and manufacturing CAPEX costs are high and value chains are reluctant to absorb the higher cost of more sustainable options. Notwithstanding this, manufacturing value chains MUST transition to safer and sustainable chemistry – our very future depends on this. We will discuss the investments, incentives, coordination, and collaboration needed to incentivize this transition and accelerate the market uptake of safer and sustainable chemistry.

CIEX: What motivates you to join CIEX this year?

Joel: There is a seismic shift happening in the chemicals sector right now driven by global environmental challenges such as climate change, chemical and plastics pollution and resource depletion as well as supply chain and feedstock disruptions post-pandemic. These present unique opportunities to reshape the trajectory of this industry and the sectors that depend on it. Progress against every dimension of sustainability – GHG reduction, circularity, plastics pollution, biodiversity protection, elimination of toxic substances and environmental justice – depends on the availability of safer and sustainable alternative chemistries that perform, are available at scale and are cost-competitive. Understanding the challenges the industry faces to reshape itself in the next decades as well as key levers and enablers for change will provide critical insights into the types of programs, incentives, and collaborations necessary for this transformation.

CIEX: With deglobalization, circularity and the energy transition as key trends currently shaping the chemical industry, what are the challenges to overcome and opportunities to harness?

Joel: Circularity is certainly a key trend shaping the future of the chemical industry. Importantly, this industry’s ambitious and necessary circularity goals will require unprecedented levels of R&D spending to fuel innovation and public and private sector investment to build out novel manufacturing capabilities. However, this can be at odds with this industry’s relatively low levels of R&D spending and investment when compared to the pharma and high-tech sectors. For progress to be made, governments and the finance sector will need to be willing to take risks and invest in new safer, more sustainable chemical processes and products available at scale. It is also important that we move forward on our efforts to de-fossilize this industry and address the toxicity of many incumbent chemistries, the vast majority of which were designed for cost and performance, not health and safety. This is a critical issue, particularly in the US where environmental justice is an increasingly important Administration priority.

Circularity, deglobalization, de-fossilization and toxics reduction will require new frameworks to increase value chain collaboration, new funding programs to enhance innovation, public-private sector partnerships to deploy risk capital along the various stages of technology commercialization and incentivizing policy frameworks that facilitate market entry of safer and sustainable chemistry technologies.

CIEX: What is one project or initiative in the industry, outside of your own company and associations that really inspired you recently, and why?

Joel: The US EPA Safer Choice program is a critical driver in the development and incorporation of safer chemicals into consumer goods. I see this program as an opportunity for everyone from chemical manufacturers to formulators and brand owners to be recognized for their commitment to sustainable innovation and to benefit from their Safer Choice-branded products being distinguished within their competitive peer group. Safer Choice imparts economic value to sustainability. In parallel, the SCIL list provides a clear recognition of safer chemistries for specific functional uses.

Sector-wide efforts, such as the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) and Clean Electronics Production Network (CEPN), are demonstrating that downstream sectors are willing to collaborate to create unified demand signals that change chemistry. These closer-to-consumer and brand-conscious companies can create the demand or pull that engages the chemicals sector more effectively in developing solutions. As those solutions often require significant investment, organizations like Change Chemistry can help to understand the barriers at a sectoral and systems level and drive the investments and collaborations necessary to effect change.

CIEX: If the future of the chemical industry is high-tech, low carbon – what are 3 essential elements needed today, to realize this?

Joel: The future of the chemical industry is not just high-tech and low-carbon, it also has to be low toxicity. Three essential elements needed today include:

Investment in demonstration, deployment and adoption of safer, more sustainable chemistries – reducing the “green premium” for these products. Chemical suppliers can make safer, more sustainable chemistries but if they aren’t purchased and there is no market, then they can’t grow. We have seen in certain sectors – consumer products for example, that there is an appetite for sustainable chemistry and consumers are willing to pay more to protect their families and communities.
Greater government coordination and public-private collaboration to drive growth in sustainable chemistry. Change Chemistry built a coalition to advance the passage of the US Sustainable Chemistry R&D Act that established an interagency strategy team and requires the development of a strategic roadmap to coordinate sustainable chemistry R&D and investments across the federal government. The soon-to-be-released strategic roadmap needs to create clear directions for future coordination and investment.
Greater supply chain coordination to advance sustainable chemistry. We have found through 18 years of Change Chemistry that there is often a disconnect between actors in the value chain and collaboration is key to accelerating innovation and addressing barriers. Change Chemistry’s first-of-its-kind Collaborative Innovation Challenge for Safe and Effective Preservatives in Consumer Products, which engaged 11 brands, 2 retailers and 6 chemical suppliers demonstrated the value of “collaborative innovation” to drive solutions in a pre-competitive space. The effort not only reshaped R&D in preservatives, it also accelerated the development of more sustainable solutions.

CIEX: Thank you so much, Joel!

The 10th Annual Chemical Innovation Exchange Summit (CIEX) is created for C-level R&D, Innovation and Sustainability experts from the consumer, industrial and speciality chemical sectors. This intimate event is about creating value – bringing the right people together, creating synergies, and actively connecting with potential partners. CIEX will take place in Indianapolis on October 23-24. Among attending companies: Hexion, Lubrizol, Monument Chemical, Celanese, US DOE, BASF, ACS, Advansix, The Heritage Group, and many more.

Secure your spot at the CIEX Summit! Connect with industry leaders and innovate together. Register today!

Revolutionizing the Chemical Industry with Lubrizol

Revolutionizing the Chemical Industry: Interview with CIEX 2024 speaker –Abhishek Shrivastava, VP of Innovation & Decision Science, Lubrizol

CIEX: Without giving too much away – what is the core message of your talk and what would you like delegates to

Abhishek Shrivastava,
VP Innovation & Decision Science
Lubrizol

remember?

Abhishek: To continue to innovate in the chemical industry, we must work together and be amenable to change. Those who stay relevant are agile—we must think differently about data, keep sustainability at the heart of the entire value chain and work together to enable progress.

CIEX: What motivates you to join CIEX this year?

Abhishek: I am excited to join CIEX this year because I believe it is a great opportunity to learn from and network with some of the most innovative and forward-thinking leaders in the chemical industry. I am eager to hear about the latest trends, challenges and solutions that are shaping the future of our sector. I am also looking forward to sharing my own insights and experiences on how to drive digital transformation and sustainability in the chemical value chain. Together, we can create more value and impact for our customers, society, and the environment.

CIEX: With deglobalization, circularity and the energy transition as key trends currently shaping the chemical industry, what are the challenges to overcome and opportunities to harness?

Abhishek: Adapting to these trends requires building more resilient and flexible business models, as well as collaborating with stakeholders across the value chain to ensure compliance and efficiency, including:

Leveraging digital technologies and data analytics to optimize production processes, reduce waste and emissions, and enhance customer experience.
Investing in innovation and R&D to develop new products and solutions that meet the evolving needs and expectations of the market.
Accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources and low-carbon feedstocks, such as bio-based or recycled materials, to reduce the environmental footprint and improve the industry’s sustainability.

CIEX: What is one project or initiative in the industry, outside of your own company and associations that really inspired you recently, and why?

Abhishek: I am really inspired by an adjacent industry, Pharma. What inspires me is how Pharma uses data and AI to accelerate drug discovery with readily available libraries of molecules and key properties needed for docking with a target protein. It is a great example of how AI and data can be used for speed to market in other industries.

Another example is Agricultural Tech. It is very inspiring to see the use of advanced technologies like drones and computer vision in initiatives like precision farming, leading to more sustainable farming practices.

CIEX: If the future of the chemical industry is high-tech, low carbon – what are 3 essential elements needed today, to realize this?

Abhishek: Three essential elements that are needed today are:

Innovation: The development and adoption of new technologies and processes that can reduce emissions, increase efficiency, and create value from waste streams.
Collaboration: The cooperation and coordination among different stakeholders, such as key industry players, policymakers, customers, suppliers, academia, etc., to foster a supportive environment and facilitate the scaling up and deployment of low-carbon innovations.
Transformation: The strategic and systemic shift in the business models, markets and culture of the industry to embrace circularity, decarbonization and customer-centricity.

CIEX: Thank you very much – we look forward to hearing more at CIEX 2024 in Indianapolis!

Join us at CIEX Summit 2024 on October 23-24 in Indianapolis, USA to hear from Abhishek and other industry experts from Dow, Braskem, Cargill, Huntsman, Ashland, Levaco Chemicals, Cirba Solutions, and many more. Global chemical innovators will showcase cutting-edge technologies, organizational transformations, and mindset shifts in an evolving industry. Access the full agenda and registration details here: https://ciexsummit.com/.

Creation of a human-centric organizational design to drive innovation

Establishing a human-oriented framework to catalyze innovation

Sibel Selcuk is the Executive Vice President of Research & Development for The Heritage Group. She previously served as VP, Global R&D and Strategy for Monument Chemical, and is also President of Heritage Turkish Holdings. Sibel served in leadership roles at the American Chemical Society, is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Interaktif Cevre, is a member of the US-Turkiye Business Council and Dean’s Advisory Board for the School of Science at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis. She earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Middle East Technical University and a Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science and Chemistry from Louisiana State University.

CIEX: Without giving too much away – what is the core message of your talk and what would you like delegates to remember?

Sibel: Thoughtful and human centric creation of organizational design is critical to support and drive innovation. Shifting from being the only source of support to operational needs to a more balanced portfolio of projects that includes not only core but adjacent and transformational projects has its own complexity. Each business has a different definition of innovation, what is yours? Is your definition is
same as your employees or your stakeholders?

CIEX: What motivates you to join the Chemical Innovation Conference – CIEX Europe this year?

Sibel: Last year I really enjoyed the conference, the discussions and made great connections. I am hoping for a similar experience.

CIEX: How do you envision the future of the chemical industry? What are the key challenges to overcome and the opportunities to harness?

Sibel: Sustainability and green chemistry will continue to challenge the chemical industry for the better. A financially feasible way to execute will be the biggest innovation for chemical industry. The second most important future that waits for the chemical industry is Artificial
Intelligence. What would be the impact?

CIEX: When looking to other regional markets, what lessons can the European chemical industry learn, adapt or perhaps even use to differentiate itself?

Sibel: I am not clear on the efforts of AI in Europe. If not already adopting, we might be late.

CIEX: What is one project or initiative in the industry, outside of your own company and associations that really inspired you, and why?

Sibel: I have attended an Innovation Conference in the US. How they are incorporating design thinking and Artificial Intelligence was very inspiring. Not easy to wrap around but needless to say very inspiring.

Join 20+ senior chemical executives including CxOs from Braskem, Levaco, Dude Chem, SCI, Solvay, Domo Chemicals, BASF. Limited Seats Available! CIEX is taking place on 25 & 26 Oct – secure your ticket now!

The Green Energy Transition in the Chemical Industry

From Green Electricity to Chemical Resources

Dr. Andreas Kicherer is Vice President Sustainability at Brenntag Group. An award winning executive leader in sustainability management, corporate sustainability strategy development and implementation by developing and using quantitative assessment tools. More than 25 years of experience leveraging in-depth chemical industry expertise and exceptional insights to support and implement corporate vision of risk mitigation, greenhouse gas as well as plastic recycling strategy. Proven ability to successfully consult internal and external top-level executives and evaluate businesses to determine areas to improve and generate additional sales with sustainability. Demonstrated track record of leading international collaboration across multiple sectors and businesses to promote wide-spread cooperation on sustainability initiatives. Renowned public speaker and presenter with multiple published papers and books on various industry principles and sustainability methods. Consistently seeking areas for business enhancement.

Marianne Lyngsaae has been a Chemical Engineer at Brenntag for 26 years. Chemicals, safety and legislation have been key words all the way. Since 2017 I have been highly involved in eco-innovation projects on chemicals in a circular economy and the potentials to save resources, prevent waste and reduce CO2 emission via collaboration across supply chains for a more sustainable future. Chairman for Fecc’s (The European Association of Chemical Distributors) Committee for circular Economy. Located in Denmark.

CIEX: Without giving too much away – what is the core message of your talk and what would you like delegates to remember?

Dr. Andreas & Marianne: A value chain ecosystem is jointly finding innovative circular solutions to save chemical resources at their highest possible value and reduce CO2 emission – this is a good way to move forward in the green transition process. Options exist to obtain grants from funds to support the process and projects. Chemical distribution connects 100 thousand customers with 10 thousand producers of chemicals. Therefore, we are gaining insights into the sustainability needs of various industries and can build ecosystems to offer more sustainable solutions.

CIEX: What motivates you to join the Chemical Innovation Conference – CIEX Europe this year?

Dr. Andreas & Marianne: A vision to inspire – and get inspired. It motivates me to share information from a successful eco-innovation project completed this summer. Chemical innovation based on new business models is very exciting.

CIEX: How do you envision the future of the chemical industry? What are the key challenges to overcome and the opportunities to harness?

Dr. Andreas & Marianne: Interdependencies between companies in the industry will increase, supportive legislative framework and further digitalization play some vital roles. Circular business models, where chemical resources are re-utilized, are crucial to ensure a competitive and sustainable industry and society. Decarbonization and reduction of dependencies from fossil raw materials

CIEX: When looking to other regional markets, what lessons can the European chemical industry learn, adapt or perhaps even use to differentiate itself?

Dr. Andreas & Marianne: Collaborating closely throughout the value chain is an important key to developing a more circular business.

CIEX: What is one project or initiative in the industry, outside of your own company and associations that really inspired you, and why?

Dr. Andreas & Marianne: A company in another sector was looking for a buy-and-take back solution. Investigation of the human brain and social behavior shows that when realizing others have got a good idea, humans are eager to copy it. This is in fact one of the keys to our success as a species. Electricity companies started some decades ago to offer green electricity via a mass balance approach. That is also applicable to chemicals.

Join 20+ senior chemical executives including CxOs from Braskem, Levaco, Dude Chem, SCI, Solvay, Domo Chemicals, BASF. Limited Seats Available! CIEX is taking place on 25 & 26 Oct – secure your ticket now!