The global chemical industry is undergoing a major transformation as companies respond to economic uncertainty, rising operating costs and growing sustainability requirements. Against this backdrop, AUTOMA Chem 2026 brought industry leaders together in Berlin on October 26–27 to explore digitalisation, innovation and the future of the chemical sector. Evonik co-hosted the event with regional partners WACKER, Covestro, LyondellBasell and Worley. The conference connected stakeholders across the chemical value chain, including chemical manufacturers, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies, technology providers and industry experts.
Global Chemical Industry Faces Growth and Sustainability Challenges
In 2025, the global chemical industry was valued at approximately $6.324 trillion, representing year-on-year growth of 2.3%. Although chemicals underpin around 96% of manufactured goods, the sector continues to face uneven regional growth, trade tensions and increasing pressure to adopt greener production methods. Looking ahead, the industry’s growth outlook for 2026 points to a slowdown, with output growth expected to moderate to between 1.5% and 2.0%. Regional trends, however, remain varied. India continues to emerge as a major growth market, with projected growth of 10.9%, while China’s growth is expected to range from 1.3% to 3.6%. Meanwhile, Europe’s chemical industry faces stagnation amid persistently high energy costs. These contrasting market conditions are encouraging chemical companies to reassess their strategies, improve operational efficiency and accelerate the transition towards sustainable production.
AUTOMA Chem 2026 Promoted Industry Collaboration
To address these challenges, AUTOMA Chem 2026 provided a platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas, explore new technologies and develop practical solutions. Building on the AUTOMA event series, the conference aims to strengthen collaboration across the chemical value chain. Furthermore, pre-arranged business meetings enabled participants to discuss project-specific requirements, explore partnerships and identify opportunities for technology adoption. The approach combined industry networking with focused business discussions in an established professional environment.
Industry 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence Transform Chemical Operations
Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation are becoming increasingly important to the chemical industry’s transformation. Companies are using these technologies to improve research and development (R&D), strengthen technical sales, optimise supply chains and enhance operational efficiency. According to the event information, nearly 75% of chemical industry leaders are investing in AI for applications spanning R&D, sales enablement and operational performance.
At the opening panel, Eduardo Sopalda, Global D&T Data and AI Governance Expert at
DSM-Firmenich, shared insights into how effective data management and AI governance can support sustainable digital transformation in the chemical industry. His session highlighted the importance of establishing reliable governance frameworks as companies integrate AI into business processes and industrial operations.
Emissions Tracking and Life Cycle Assessment Support Decarbonisation
Alongside digitalisation, sustainability and green chemistry featured prominently at the conference. Chemical manufacturers increasingly need reliable methods to measure emissions, evaluate environmental impacts and improve the effectiveness of decarbonisation initiatives. Gianluca Di Lecce, who leads the Subcontracting division at Technip Energies, discussed how automated emissions tracking and life cycle assessment (LCA) intelligence can strengthen decarbonisation strategies. These approaches can help companies assess environmental impacts more systematically, identify improvement opportunities and make better-informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle.
Industry Leaders Shared Practical Insights
AUTOMA Chem 2026 brought together companies from across the chemical, engineering and technology sectors to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities. Reflecting on the broader AUTOMA series, Luigi Anselmi, Construction Operations Head of Department at Kinetics Technology (KT), described the event as a community rather than simply a conference. He emphasised the strong foundation of trust and shared commitment that encourages participants to engage with one another. This collaborative approach is particularly relevant as companies seek to implement new technologies, improve sustainability performance and respond to rapidly changing market conditions.
Major Companies Participated in AUTOMA Chem 2026
The inaugural AUTOMA Chem event welcomed industry participants, including Repsol Materials S.A., BASF SE, Merck, SABIC, McDermott, Wood plc and Linde plc, among others. Their participation reflected the growing importance of collaboration between chemical producers, engineering companies and technology providers. By sharing expertise and exploring digital strategies, these organisations aim to address the industry’s priorities of sustainability, productivity and operational efficiency. As per the press release, through discussions on AI, Industry 4.0, green chemistry and emissions management, AUTOMA Chem 2026 aimed to advance collaboration and accelerate the chemical industry’s transition towards a more efficient, digitally connected and sustainable future. https://sh.bgs.group/57k
