Recent developments
AI in operations
Borealis completed the global scale-up of its Borstar Digital Twin program, combining AI, real-time optimization, and data analytics to improve process stability, accelerate grade transitions, and enable early anomaly detection across Borstar PE/PP units and licensees Baystar and Borouge. BASF set a 2026–2028 framework with a new site agreement for Ludwigshafen, pairing roughly €2 billion per year in site investment with digitalization and artificial intelligence to simplify structures, increase flexibility, and support sustainable cost optimization.
Automation and capacity
AkzoNobel is upgrading its Waukegan, Illinois facility with a liquid pre‑batch area, high‑speed dissolvers, a rapid service unit, and a new warehouse configuration to boost customized aerospace coatings output and reduce complexity under its Industrial Excellence program. WITTMANN expanded its Kunshan production plant in China, adding 10,000+ m² and an R&D center to build all‑electric EcoPrimus machines, targeting 100 units next year and faster local development for packaging, medical, automotive, and appliance applications.
R&D ecosystems
Asahi Kasei Pharma will relocate its R&D hub to Shonan Health Innovation Park to access an AI/digital health ecosystem, open labs with shared equipment, and collaboration with pharma, venture capital, and academia. Focus areas include autoimmune, severe infectious, transplantation, and renal diseases, with the goal of improving research investment efficiency and time to market.
Energy and cloud
Iberdrola and Microsoft signed power purchase agreements in Spain totaling 150 MW and extended collaboration to deploy the Azure cloud platform and Microsoft Copilot to enhance digital capabilities and AI use across operations. The alliance also reviews residual heat use, carbon credits, and innovations such as hydrogen and battery storage across Europe, the US, Brazil, and Australia.
Policy and consolidation
The European Commission proposed the Biotech Act and medical device reforms to address financing gaps, simplify regulation, support digitalization, and strengthen EMA coordination and shortage monitoring, with estimated annual savings including €2.4 billion in administrative costs. In building materials, Holcim agreed to acquire a majority stake in Cementos Pacasmayo, adding access to about 5 Mt/y of cement capacity, 28 ready‑mix and precast plants, and 300+ retail outlets in Peru, with projected synergies and EPS accretion.