ChemTelligenceShape the future
Our vision
Advancing digitalization, the implementation of AI technologies, the energy transition, combined with greater sustainability and an intelligent circular economy – these are just some of the structural challenges and new framework conditions that the chemical industry is currently facing. Cooperation between different, closely networked partners will be crucial to successfully mastering these challenges and thus to the future viability of the entire industry. More than ever, the industry is being called upon to develop ever more sophisticated solutions in ever shorter development cycles.
ChemTelligence initiates, promotes and strengthens this cooperation and offers a platform on which companies in the chemical industry can present their challenges and receive intelligent solutions from innovative and interdisciplinary teams.
ChemTelligence connects the chemical industry with start-ups, students, scientists and industry experts, thus creating the basis for targeted and efficient collaboration. This is how the challenges of today become the solutions of tomorrow!
Participating in a challenge offers the chance to gain a deep insight into the challenges of the chemical industry. Working with established companies offers the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and make real business contacts.
Thematic areas of the challenges
Energie 4.0
Successfully managing security of supply and an economical energy transition are important goals for the chemical industry. Renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency play a key role. The digitalization of the energy industry and technology offers great potential for achieving the goals of climate-neutral chemical production.
Artificial Intelligence
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the chemical industry opens up new opportunities for optimising production processes and developing innovative products. By using machine learning and data analysis, companies can react more quickly to market changes and increase their competitiveness. The continuous development of AI technologies will transform the chemical industry in the long term and set new standards in research and production.
Process Digitalization
The need for the digitalization of business processes in the chemical industry is almost infinite. Production is highly automated due to the chemical processes, while all other core and support processes have a low level of digitalization to date. The potential is very high - new technologies such as robotic process automation or artificial intelligence can be used in standardized processes to reduce time and manual work.
Digital Infrastructure
A highly developed digital infrastructure is a prerequisite for digital services and business models that are innovative and future-proof. The focus is on expanding telecommunications networks such as broadband infrastructure through fiber optic networks and the 5G mobile communications standard. In this way, solutions in the areas of cloud computing, big data and artificial intelligence can be implemented. The exponential growth of digital solutions requires the creation of interfaces and standards to ensure the interoperability of systems.
Sustainability / Circular Economy
Sustainability and the circular economy are key topics in the chemical industry - now and in the coming decades. The aim of the circular economy is to minimize the consumption of materials and resources by closing material loops. In this way, waste is prevented from being generated and released into the environment in the first place. The impact on the environment is reduced and biodiversity is protected.
Data Science
Data is the new infrastructure of the chemical company. Chemical companies collect and produce a large amount of data, but only process a fraction of it intelligently. Data science deals with the extraction of knowledge from this data. This knowledge is to be used, for example, to derive recommendations for action for companies in the chemical industry in order to improve the quality of business decisions and the efficiency of work processes.
Challenges
YNCORIS GmbH & Co. KG
Clarification of the environment for the use of AI in the chemical process industry
Challenge finished!
Deutsche Infineum GmbH & Co. KG
Development of concepts for heat integration/waste heat utilisation
Challenge finished!
Deutsche Infineum GmbH & Co. KG
Introduction of a concept for advanced process control to increase production in a polymerisation plant
Challenge finished!
Deutsche Infineum GmbH & Co. KG
Development of a change management process for the introduction of digital maintenance tools (Maintenance 4.0)
Challenge finished!
Currenta Group
Decarbonisation of refrigeration – storing energy and converting it into green steam
Challenge finished!
Timeline
Benefits of your participation
Why should I take part as a student?
Based on real challenges in the chemical industry, you can develop your ideas together with well-known companies and put them into practice. You get the chance to show what innovative potential you have.
You will be supported by experts, work in interdisciplinary teams and build real business relationships.
- Work with renowned companies and experts
- Build business relationships
Why should I take part as a start-up?
With your products, services and know-how, you solve real challenges together with well-known companies. You will have the opportunity to establish cooperations and gain potential customers. At the same time, you can raise your profile in the chemical industry and expand your reach.
- Establish cooperations
- Win customers
- Increase awareness
Why should I take part as a scientist?
As a scientist, you are able to tackle challenges in a structured way. Put your know-how into practice and work together with well-known companies on their current challenges. Working in interdisciplinary teams and networking your knowledge can create innovation potential. You can make contacts and build business relationships.
- Work with renowned companies and experts
- Make contacts
Why should I take part as an industry expert?
As an industry expert or employee in a company that has already gained experience with the challenges of the chemical industry, you are the right person to work on the current challenges of the industry. Working with well-known companies in the chemical industry enables you to build collaborations and gain new knowledge.
- Establish cooperations
- Gain knowledge
Why should I take part as a Challenge donor?
Your advantages as a challenge provider:
- Access to innovative solution providers from the various networks (university, startup ecosystem, existing companies)
- Independent selection of the best solution providers for your challenge
- Professional support during the development of the challenge (moderation, preparation and follow-up of meetings, consolidation of results)
- Flexible working methods that meet your needs
- You are part of the innovative ChemTelligence community and receive best practices and learnings from other challenges
- Collaboration with forward-looking cooperation partners (even after completion of the challenge)
Challenge provider
Partner & Multiplier
FAQ
Who is behind ChemTelligence?
Daniel Wauben | ChemCologne:
“The ChemTelligence innovation platform is operated by ChemCologne. ChemCologne is the sector initiative of the chemical industry in Rhineland. Rhineland is the strongest chemical region in Europe and we want to remain so. Our goal as ChemCologne is to keep the region’s competitiveness high and to achieve this goal, we offer our companies various tools. The innovation platform is one of them. Through this platform, we want to give companies the opportunity to post their problems and challenges online and we then look for solution providers to create innovative solutions.”
Who accompanies the process?
Daniel Wauben | ChemCologne:
“CMC² is responsible for the implementation of all processes relating to ChemTelligence. CMC² is a Cologne-based consultancy that has been working with us on ChemTelligence for many years.”
Dr. Thomas Wagner | CMC²:
“We are a management consultancy that focuses very strongly on the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Our work is then structured in such a way that we design the process of the challenges from the very beginning – from kick-off to implementation, definition of the work packages, to the conclusion of the ChemTelligence phase.”
How does the entire ChemTelligence process work?
Daniel Wauben | ChemCologne:
“The ChemTelligence process takes place in five stages. The first stage is the application phase. As soon as the application phase is over, the second phase begins: matchmaking. This is where we sift through all the applications and see which solution providers fit which challenges.”
Prof. Dr. Carsten Suntrop | CMC²:
“The third step is then that we help with the launch. In our experience, it is a great challenge to really get to work, especially when launching projects and challenges. Kickoff preparation, clarity about the assignments, clarity about the results, timing, project organization. That’s the third step.”
Dr. Thomas Wagner | CMC²:
“Then we move on to the processing phase of the challenges and the solution phase, where the content is worked through. In this phase, ChemCologne and CMC² will take a step back and leave the work to the teams, and after two to three months we will move on to the final phase of the ChemTelligence projects and summarize what has been worked on so far. Hopefully with the prospect that it will form the basis for a larger project, which ChemTelligence will then be happy to do afterwards.”
Who can apply for the challenges?
Prof. Dr. Carsten Suntrop | CMC²:
“We’ve already been on quite a journey with ChemTelligence and the solution provider network continues to develop. We actually started with the idea that they should be start-ups. We also wanted to clearly separate ourselves from hackathons, i.e. to make the whole thing not just IT-oriented, but to really be able to work on all the challenges of the chemical industry – such as sustainability, logistics, etc. This is where many start-ups came to us. Many start-ups came to us through this, but now we have also reached the large network of universities. Whether it’s universities, universities of applied sciences, private universities are also involved. So, I think the whole research community is on board. We have also managed to attract the attention of industry experts and we still need to work on getting younger colleagues who work in this environment – whether as consultants, start-ups or students – on board so that we don’t just have the big consultancies that are allowed to apply, but that there is ultimately a good mix of different solution providers.”
How can I apply?
Dr. Thomas Wagner | CMC²:
“The challenges can be seen in a very clear version on the homepage. They are specified beforehand so that you can screen them quite quickly. This means that in an application process like this, you can very quickly grasp the scope and extent of the challenge via the homepage.”
Prof. Dr. Carsten Suntrop | CMC²:
“And then there is a button where you can apply. Then you have to enter your details and upload a meaningful application document. Please don’t just submit a company document, but also provide a concrete answer to the respective challenge – if possible with concrete ideas, proposed solutions, etc. And then ChemCologne will receive it automatically and we can start processing it.”
Daniel Wauben | ChemCologne:
“If you have any questions during the application process, please give us a call or send us an e-mail. You can find the contact details on our homepage. And after the application deadline within the next two to three weeks, you will receive feedback on whether you have been selected as a solution provider or not.”
Do I have the opportunity to get in touch with the Challenge donors before submitting my application?
Daniel Wauben| ChemCologne:
“You will have the opportunity to get in touch with the Challenge donors once during the application period. We organize an annual ChemTelligence Community Event, which will take place in Cologne. All challenge donors will be there to present their challenge once again and you will actually have the opportunity to ask questions. This may make the application process a little easier for you.”
Who selects the solution providers?
Dr. Thomas Wagner | CMC²:
“First of all, we accept all the applications we receive. We’re usually talking about a few dozen. Then we categorize the challenges and make a detailed comparison of how the applications match the advertised challenge. In other words, we create an evaluation matrix that then weighs up who fits the project and in what form. To summarize: CMC² and ChemCologne make a certain pre-selection. However, it is absolutely clear that ultimately the challenge donor, who announces their challenge, has the final say and very often includes the CMC² criteria in their evaluation.”
Where do the meetings for the kick-off workshops and the working meetings take place?
Prof. Dr. Carsten Suntrop | CMC²:
“Of course, we really like it when they take place in person. Especially at the beginning, at the kick-off, setting up the working meetings, confidence-building measures, etc., it’s always good to meet in person. This is usually the case with the challenge donors. They have their meeting rooms and it’s usually easy to work on site. This should also be the case for the next two or three workshops, where we really work on topics. And in between, e.g. jour fixe, everything can happen online. That’s completely sufficient and it has also become common practice that we don’t have to travel everywhere.”
Do the selected solution providers receive money to work on the challenge?
Prof. Dr. Carsten Suntrop | CMC²:
“We already address the topic of money in the kick-offs, because it has to be settled once. It has to be clear to everyone what the expectations are. The expectation of the solution providers is to initially assume a certain pro bono and to say that we will go in without money. This is how the innovation platform is structured. We know that at a certain point, it will no longer be possible for solution providers to simply do this free of charge. And this is precisely the point that needs to be resolved in the challenge. You also have to say to the solution provider: How long can you do this? How long do you want to do it? Because ultimately, this is a great way to acquire new customers. It’s a great opportunity for the solution providers to get to know new industrial companies. But it’s also super cool for the industrial companies. These are companies they never knew before. Start-ups, universities that they have never worked with before. And in order to bring this together, I think everyone has to play their part. And ultimately, the industrial company should also start to make budgets available at some point. When it comes to prototyping anyway. Because there are benefits everywhere from these challenges.”
Why should I take part as a Challenge donor?
Kai Kremser | Yncoris:
“ChemTelligence is a good platform for me to expand my network and also to introduce young companies, start-ups and students to the chemical industry.”
Dr. Thomas Wagner | CMC²:
“So we have different categories that you can apply for. The results of these projects are very diverse. It may be that the result is a written market study that is generated on paper. But it can also be a physical prototype of a certain device, in the drone sector or whatever we’ve already had there, or anything in between. If you think about software and IT solutions, for example, the whole thing often starts with mock-ups. To summarize: the range is wide, from theoretical studies to physical products that you can actually get your hands on.”
Kai Kremser | Yncoris:
“You should take part in ChemTelligence as a challenge donor so that you can get innovative solutions to problems that you may not be able to describe one hundred percent accurately yet.
Why should I apply as a Challenge participant?
Rene Treichelt | Foxbase:
“Quite simply because you quickly come into contact with industries, which for us in this context means the chemical industry, but above all with companies that you wouldn’t otherwise come into contact with. We would never have come across the current customer. So I can’t imagine any scenario except with a lot of luck and coincidence. And so we would never have gained this access. And of course it’s also a kind of flagship project for us. In other words, we are already proving in other industries that our solution works perfectly. Now in a completely different application and again with excellent results. And that simply radiates outwards for us and so we can also convince other companies of the size and complexity to work with a medium-sized, former start-up, scale-up company. Because otherwise the industry is more conservative here and there. And we were able to overcome this barrier with this challenge without having to bend.”
Lara Kämmerer | d-fine:
“For us as a consulting company, ChemTelligence is a really great network where you can get involved through the various challenges. The customers with whom you can then work on the challenges themselves are all very committed, totally innovative people with whom it is simply fun to work on the project. And of course it’s also great for us, a great format for approaching new customers and making new contacts. You learn something, you’re involved in the topics that are currently really important on the market and you also learn an incredible amount about the individual contacts and customers that you then work with.”
Contact information
- Neumarkt 35-37, DE-50667 Köln
- info@chemtelligence.de
- ChemTelligence
- ChemCologne
- ChemTelligence
