The Transition to Industry 4.0 in the Catalan Chemical Industry. Baseline 2020

Abstract

The baseline for the state of implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies in the Catalan chemical industry in 2020 is established using the model proposed by the Industry 4.0 Commission of the Institution of Engineers of Catalonia. Two panels are convened, one comprising AIQS experts and the other industry executives. The responses from both panels exhibit similar trends. Among the levers used by the model, Inventory Control emerges as the most successfully implemented in the industry, followed by Cybersecurity, Production Planning, Monitoring and Control, and Environmental Efficiency. However, certain deficiencies are noted in the implementation of advanced maintenance practices. Industry executives generally express satisfaction with the current level of Industry 4.0 technology implementation. However, they exhibit lower satisfaction levels with levers such as Relationships with Suppliers, Data Collection, and Process Modelling. Anticipated impacts of Industry 4.0 technology implementation are expected to be highly favourable and desirable, particularly in the realm of manufacturing processes. Additionally, a projection of Industry 4.0 technology implementation with a horizon extending to 2025 is conducted, which will require comparison with future studies.