The globalisation of the world economy has introduced a number of structural shifts that are dramatically changing Global Value Chains (GVC’s). Now, this phenomenon is being given further impetus by the fast evolving digital technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Chemistry is a hands-on profession. For centuries, chemists have spent time in the lab weighing solids and measuring liquids to make molecules and discover new reactions that could change the way a product is made. “Chemistry is still a highly experimentally demanding discipline – you need to work in the lab to get results” says Cristina Nevado, an organic chemist at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.

Shorter business and product lifecycles, squeezed margins as the result of more varied and complex components, and an aging, costly workforce are placing global manufacturers under extreme pressure. As a result, the need to create efficiency and profitability through new process innovation is becoming increasingly important.