Industry digitalisation analysis

Manufacturing of chemical, plastic and packaging products: opportunities for digitalization

More stable production and clearer material costs

Digital maturity

Typical digital maturity

Shows the level of digitalisation companies in this line of business typically operate at.

The assessment considers use of core systems, how far processes are digitalised, integrations, data readiness and advanced use of data.

A 3 means ordinary, middling maturity. A 5 is given only where real-time data, automated decisions and advanced optimisation are already a routine part of core operations.

medium
Digitalisation potential

Digitalisation potential

Shows the scale of business impact digitalisation could have in this line of business.

It weighs economic leverage, the scope for digital impact, the scale and repetition of processes, value lost today, and the leverage of better data and decisions.

A business area’s score is calculated from five weighted dimensions. A sector’s score is derived from the scores of its business areas.

76/100
Biggest challenge
Product specifications and process parameters are not aligned
Biggest opportunity
Explicit raw material costs and causes of loss

Operating model

The manufacturer of the mixes works according to recipes, the plastic manufacturer combines materials with forms, and layers and printing are important in the production of packaging. Quality checks are applied to a specific product.

Manufacture of chemical mixtures in batches

Raw materials are dosed according to an approved recipe. When changing composition or supplier, the effect on the product properties and required documents is verified.

Plastic Extrusion and Casting

The quality of the product is determined by the raw material, the form used and the settings of the equipment. Consumption, broking and permitted reuse of the material are recorded in the production.

Packaging Manufacturing and Printing

Customer-compatible packaging composition, construction and press layout. Production follows the processing steps and checks that the final product is in compliance with the intended use.

Market context

In chemical, plastic and packaging manufacturing, order execution is determined by the recipe, raw materials, line preparation and quality checks. Production in batches and frequent changes to the product increase the need for tuning. It is important for the customer to get the product of agreed properties on time, and for the manufacturer to see the real costs and causes of losses.

  • Cost control of materialsRaw material consumption is worth comparing to the amount of suitable output, with a separate view of the broker and the material being returned.
  • Product changes approvedThe change of composition or raw material must reach production along with the relevant specification and necessary approvals.

Product and Execution Chain

01

Product Specification

The formula, part specification or package structure required for a specific model is approved. Limits on application and client permission are recorded.

02

Raw materials and process readiness

Allowed batches are associated with the required parameters, tools or form. The transition and cleaning conditions are obtained from an approved technological order.

03

Production execution

The actual dosage or flow of material, process and deviations are recorded. In a continuous process, the batch relationship has defined time and mixing limits.

04

Feature and destination verification

Laboratory and production results are compared to the applicable specification. The suitability of the use of the packaging is assessed only for the required purpose and conditions.

05

Batch and document transmission

The customer is provided with documents appropriate to the actual batch and the approved product. The new specification does not automatically rewrite the history of previously produced batches.

Digital maturity scale

1

Separate records and manual work

Information is mainly held in separate files or notes. Employees pass it on and reconcile it manually.

2

Organised data within individual teams

Teams record their work consistently, but sharing information with colleagues still requires considerable manual checking.

3

Partially integrated systems

Core work is managed in systems. Some information is transferred automatically, but repeated data entry remains.

4

Coordinated systems and teams

Systems deliver the required data on time. Employees can see unfinished work and know who is responsible for resolving discrepancies.

5

Continuous measurement and improvement

The team checks data quality, evaluates results and uses them to improve operations. Automation is applied where its value can be demonstrated.

Executive conclusion

The production plan needs to be combined with raw materials, equipment and transitions between products. Actual quantities and inspection results help explain the losses and prepare the documents needed for the customer.

Related digitalisation topics

Production Execution SystemAdvanced Production PlanningProduction TraceabilityPredictive facility maintenance

Combine recipe, batch and quality solution