The digital transformation of the plastics industry: a key challenge
"It's always a challenge for Swiss production companies to remain competitive. Today, the future of plastics companies lies in adapting production methods to the major trends in digitalization. This transition should not frighten companies, but support is needed. This is what the Swiss Plastics Cluster wishes to offer its partners." Aurélie Auffret, Swiss Plastics Cluster manager.
The transformation towards Industry 4.0 is a major challenge for companies and affects all business sectors. This transformation is a process of change that began in the 1980s, and has intensified in recent years, particularly in 2020 with the Covid19 crisis.
The plastics industry, at the crossroads of digital and robotic innovations, is directly impacted by this digital transformation. This trend is being integrated into all stages of the business chain (logistics, production, maintenance, management and control, quality control, customer relations, R&D, etc.), enabling significant process optimization. Although the degree of digitization of Swiss SMEs still varies widely, and is often positively correlated with company size, certain trends already seem to be developing in this sector. Automation of part quality control using cameras and sensors is on the increase. Saving time and competitiveness, reducing costs and waste, increasing quality: the future of the plastics industry lies in digital transformation. The major challenges for companies in the sector are now to adapt their production processes and support this digital shift by developing their employees' skills.
The Swiss Plastics Cluster, with the support of INNOSQUARE, will be organizing several workshops in 2021 on the theme of digital transformation in the plastics industry. Topics covered include robotization, process automation and part control, and data mining for process control. Please do not hesitate to contact Aurélie Auffret(aurelie.auffret@swissplastics-cluster.ch), Cluster Manager, for further information(www.swissplastics-cluster.ch).
Contributed by: Claire Casteran & Aurélie Auffret - Source: Infosquare
