Ensure end-to-end compliance in the chemical industry

The chemical industry has some of the most stringent, yet least transparent, rules and regulations of any sector. Guidelines include those set out by REACH, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Companies must pay as much attention to environmental and safety regulations as to documentation requirements. This calls for integrated quality management, transparent formula management, and complete traceability of all goods and materials throughout their lifecycle. Achieving all this without costs skyrocketing is only possible with the right knowledge and integrated IT infrastructure.

Many chemical companies began automating their production processes long before “smart factory” was an established term. However, end-to-end integration into the SAP system in particular provides considerable potential for further optimization – especially from a financial perspective. Integrated batch management and quality checks are central to this. In addition, many production steps require a digital signature. In some instances this is obligatory, while in others the guidelines give some leeway – and capitalizing on this can lead to financial savings. This calls for expertise that NTT DATA Business Solutions specialists have gained through their involvement in countless projects over many years and that they always keep up to date.

For future-oriented companies, developing new products with the right properties and best possible cost structure has always been a key focus. Thanks to digitization in the form of collaboration between business partners during the development process, enterprises can achieve this with less risk and greater cost efficiency than ever before. The prerequisite for this, however, is that research and development are closely integrated into the existing IT landscape and that processes run smoothly.

Minimizing risk to humans, products, and the environment is an every-day duty for chemical companies. In supporting this task, the processes and technologies enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT) can play a decisive role – by simplifying hazardous materials management, for example. Furthermore, pressure sensors incorporated into chemical pipelines can detect when even minute quantities of hazardous substances are leaking. In this event, they turn off the devices and report the incident to the integrated IT system.

Companies in the chemical industry have to validate their IT systems in accordance with guidelines set out by the EU and the FDA. However, the majority of decision makers are unsure exactly which systems this applies to – and to what extent. This uncertainty results in unnecessary costs. NTT DATA Business Solutions has used its considerable knowledge of the industry to develop a cost- and risk-optimized project approach that can lead to financial savings of up to 40 percent.