Reducing Time to Market by Innovative Development and Production Strategies

During the past years cost pressure on the European chemical companies grew dramatically by increased competition from low-labor-cost BRIC countries on the one side and the United States, favored by decreased energy costs due to shale gas exploitation, on the other side. Raising costs for energy consumption and wages come on top. Therefore, highly efficient procedures in both development and production with the aim to decrease costs became necessary. A combination of technical solutions like new production concepts, e.g., hybrid processes, and organizational solutions like standardization and improved utilization of equipment are needed. Some of the applied techniques are described in detail and their potential in terms of time and cost reduction is demonstrated.