Recent developments
Digitized production lines
Manufacturing digitalization accelerated. Evonik and Schneider Electric are digitizing thermoplastic recycling at the Essen Goldschmidt site, using open automation for centralized data, performance analysis, and faster scale‑up. ASPİLSAN Enerji’s battery manufacturing automation project secured ORAN support to transition to mass production and expand product diversity. Air Liquide’s Singapore semiconductor gas facilities will apply automation and predictive maintenance to raise energy efficiency and reliability by 2027.
Edge and cloud backbone
Industrial IT roadmaps emphasized AI at the edge and private clouds. Black Box and Wind River partnered to deliver intelligent edge and cloud‑native infrastructure for manufacturing and industrial automation in India and the Middle East. EIB and ACCIONA agreed financing to advance applied AI, IoT, robotisation, and process optimization across energy, water, and infrastructure. The EIB Group also simplified access to green finance and expanded TechEU to mobilize cleantech and SME digital investments.
Carbon and resilience data
Carbon accounting became more automated. Arkema’s PCF methodology, certified to ISO 14067, is supported by a digital tool that automates cradle‑to‑gate calculations using site, supplier, and external databases. Regional policy discussion at the KAZENERGY Forum in Kazakhstan emphasized energy security, advanced technology deployment, and cooperation, with TCO citing high plant reliability.
AI in agro‑health
Decision support extended into adjacent value chains. BASF’s xarvio HEALTHY FIELDS for RiTA integrates AI‑guided soil prescriptions with an outcome‑guaranteed program to stabilize yields for dry direct‑seeding rice. Roche’s navify Algorithm Suite now includes a CE‑marked CKD risk panel combining early and late‑stage algorithms and integrating with hospital systems in Europe and the UK.
Formulation efficiency gains
Formulation platforms focused on speed and simplicity. Neo Heliopan Fusion merges multiple UV filters into a single oil‑soluble blend, enabling SPF 50+ with simpler processing, fewer auxiliaries, and broader application coverage. Digitalized pilot environments and centralized data access are being used to shorten development cycles and scale solutions from pilots to commercial units.