The Accenture 2017 Digital Technology in Chemical Plant Operations Survey 2017 shows digital technology is beginning to play a pivotal role in plant operations. Digital adoption is increasing and more firms recognize the financial and operational value. The study provides a perspective on where the industry is today and where it plans to go in the future and offers insights into how chemical companies can focus efforts on their digital journey.

1. INDUSTRYX.0
UNLOCKINGTHEPOWEROF
DIGITALINPLANT
OPERATIONS
KEY FINDINGS
Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

2. Count %
C-Level 106 29%
Senior Vice President 63 18%
Vice President 77 21%
General Manager or Director 90 25%
Commercial/Business
Manager
24 7%
Total 360 100%
Count %
Asset or operations lead 125 35%
Business lead 139 39%
Function lead 96 27%
Total 360 100%
Count %
Canada 30 8%
France 30 8%
Germany 30 8%
Japan 30 8%
Netherlands 30 8%
Saudi Arabia 30 8%
Singapore 30 8%
Switzerland 30 8%
Turkey 30 8%
United Arab Emirates 30 8%
United Kingdom 30 8%
United States 30 8%
Total 360 100%
Count %
Canada 27 8%
France 34 9%
Germany 29 8%
Japan 28 8%
Netherlands 27 8%
Saudi Arabia 27 8%
Singapore 28 8%
Switzerland 28 8%
Turkey 28 8%
United Arab Emirates 29 8%
United Kingdom 30 8%
United States 45 13%
Total 360 100%
SAMPLE COMPOSITION & METHODOLOGY [PART I OF II]
Accenture conducted an online survey of 360 C-level C-level and top management executives and functional leaders
in the chemicals industry. The survey focus was on chemical companies that are currently leveraging digital
technology in their core operations. The survey was fielded in mid-March through mid-April 2017 and included
respondents from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, the
UAE, UK and US. The companies represented have total annual revenue ranging from US$500 million to more than
US$20 billion.
ORGANIZATION HEADQUARTERS: RESPONDENT LOCATION: RESPONDENT TITLE:
RESPONDENT ROLE:
2Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

3. Count %
Basic & intermediate
chemicals
132 37%
Fertilizers, pesticides
and/or seeds
117 33%
Industrial gases 113 31%
Petrochemicals 145 40%
Plastics & fibers 117 33%
Paints & coatings 105 29%
Other basic inorganic
chemical manufacturing
20 6%
Total 360 100%
Count %
Capital Projects 29 8%
Information Technology (IT) 84 23%
Engineering/Research &
Development
48 13%
Environment, Health & Safety
(EH&S)
18 5%
Maintenance 14 4%
Material Management/Supply
Chain
41 11%
Planning & Scheduling 35 10%
Production Execution 43 12%
Quality Management 18 5%
Supply Chain 30 8%
Total 360 100%
Count %
$500M - $1B 35 10%
$1 - $5B 201 56%
$5B - $10B 90 25%
$10B - $20B 23 6%
Greater than $20B 11 3%
Total 360 100%
SAMPLE COMPOSITION & METHODOLOGY [PART II OF II]
COMMODITIES PRIMARILY
OPERATED IN: AREA WITHIN ORGANIZATION:
Operations
GLOBAL REVENUE:
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4. 13% 13% 10% 12%
19%
33%
20%
13%
11%
14%
24%
18%15%
17%
17%
24%
14%
14%
14% 22%
18%
18%
14%
13%15%
16%
26%
17% 15%
13%
23% 19% 18% 15% 14% 9%
4
23% OF CHEMICAL COMPANIES ARE PRIORITIZING PLANNING &SCHEDULING
OPERATIONS AS THEIR #1 INVESTMENT; OVER 50% ARE PRIORITIZING INVESTMENTS
IN PRODUCTION EXECUTION AND SUPPLY CHAIN.
In what area of chemical production/operations are you making investments in digital technology?
Rank in order of greatest investments to least investments.
SIXTH INVESTMENT
FIFTH INVESTMENT
FOURTH INVESTMENT
THIRD INVESTMENT
SECOND INVESTMENT
TOP INVESTMENT
50%
Planning &
Scheduling
Production
Execution
Material
Management/
Supply Chain
Quality
Management
Environment,
Health &
Safety (EH&S)
Maintenance
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q1 Base: All respondents Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

5. 5
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND BIG DATA ARE AMONG THE MOST STRATEGIC ACROSS
MANY OPERATIONS.
Which of the following digital technologies are most strategically important to your
chemicals production/manufacturing operations? Select all that apply.
Advanced
Process
Control
Artificial
intelligence/
Machine
learning
Big Data/
Analytics/
Edge
Computing
Cloud
Collaboration
and social tools
Industrial
cybersecurity
Intelligent/
Smart
sensors
Mobility/
Wearables
Robotics
Environment, Health &
Safety (EH&S)
23% 24% 24% 26% 30% 24% 24% 28% 19%
Maintenance 26% 30% 26% 24% 29% 27% 26% 22% 26%
Material Management/
Supply Chain
24% 30% 27% 28% 23% 26% 28% 29% 20%
Planning & Scheduling 29% 22% 30% 28% 26% 25% 26% 21% 21%
Production Execution 26% 31% 29% 23% 24% 23% 26% 18% 31%
Quality Management 30% 28% 33% 29% 22% 26% 29% 23% 23%
Not Applicable 1% 1% 1% 2% 2% 1% 2% 3% 8%
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q3 Base: All respondents Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

6. 1% 4% 1% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1%
11%
15%
10% 11% 8% 10%
5%
11% 11%
30% 20%
29% 27% 29% 28%
27%
26% 32%
29% 33% 33% 34% 34% 35% 43%
39%
35%
29% 28% 27% 27% 26% 25% 24% 23% 22%
6
BIG DATA HAS BEEN BROADLY DEPLOYED BY ONE IN FOUR
ORGANIZATIONS AND CURRENTLY IN PILOT PHASE FOR 43%.
Please indicate your organization’s current status regarding the deployment of the following digital
technologies in your production/manufacturing operations? Select one.
Widespread adoption within
our production/
manufacturing operations
Have begun pilot programs
in part of our production/
manufacturing operations
Technology strategy has
been defined/being
developed
Currently no plan to employ
within next 3 years
Not applicable/relevant to
our business
50%
Cloud Robotics Artificial
Intelligence/
Machine
learning
Mobility/
Wearables
Industrial
cybersecurity
Collaboration
and social
tools
Big Data/
Analytics/
Edge
Computing
Intelligent/
Smart sensors
Advanced
Process
Control
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q4 Base: All respondents
Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

7. 7
Please rank the top three digital technologies that you think hold the most
potential for your overall company ROI (Return on Investment) in the next 12
months.
6%
10%
9%
11%
9%
9%
13%
17%
18%
21%
23%
27%
29%
34%
34%
38%
42%
51%
Robotics
Mobility/Wearables
Collaboration and social tools
Industrial cybersecurity
Advanced Process Control
Intelligent/Smart sensors
Cloud
Artificial intelligence/Machine learning
Big Data/Analytics/Edge Computing
Top technologyWithin Top 3
HALFOF CHEMICALS
EXECUTIVES RANKED BIG
DATA/ANALYTICS/EDGE
COMPUTING AMONG THEIR
TOP THREE TECHNOLOGIES
THAT HOLD MOST
POTENTIAL FOR OVERALL
ROI.
JUST OVER
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q5 Base: All respondents Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

8. 8
OF THE 51% OF EXECUTIVES WHO INDICATED BIG DATA/ANALYTICS/EDGE COMPUTING
AS THE TECHNOLOGY WITH HIGHER ROI GENERATING POTENTIAL, ONE IN THREE (36%)
WILL ALLOCATE BETWEEN 21% AND 40% OF THEIR DIGITAL BUDGET TO THIS
TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.
What proportion of your digital budget will you allocate to these technologies in the next 12 months?
Big Data/
Analytics/Edge
Computing
Robotics Artificial
Intelligence/
Machine
learning
Mobility/
Wearables
Industrial
cybersecurity
Collaboration
and social tools
Intelligent/
Smart sensors
Advanced
Process
Controls
Cloud
0 1-20 21-40 41-60 61+
79%
5%
15%
1%
77%
4%
16%
2%
73%
7%
18%
2%
71%
6%
20%
4%
66%
4%
26%
3%
66%
6%
25%
3%
62%
5%
26%
6%
1%
58%
7%
31%
4%
49%
9%
36%
6%
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q6 Base: All respondentsCopyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

9. More effective plant management
Improved product quality/right first time
Real-time chemical complex and individual process unit
optimization (i.e., material yield increase)
Faster processing times/reduced lead time to market
Reduction in unscheduled downtime/production loss
Reduced operational risk
More efficient maintenance planning and execution
Greater flexibility/agility in operations to meet customer
needs (service differentiation)
More effective Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S)
More efficient turnarounds/shutdowns
Reduced energy management costs
Greater collaboration with other business units/assets/
contractor/partners (ecosystem)
Reduced labor cost
Reduced work in progress (WIP) inventory
Fewer turnarounds/shut downs (less capital expended) 4%
6%
5%
6%
6%
4%
7%
8%
8%
6%
6%
10%
7%
7%
11%
14%
16%
17%
17%
18%
18%
20%
20%
21%
21%
21%
22%
23%
26%
27%
9
MORE
EFFECTIVE
PLANT MANAGEMENT
AND IMPROVED
PRODUCT QUALITY/
RIGHT FIRST TIME ARE
AMONG THE MOST
SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS
OF DIGITAL FOR ONE IN
FOUR CHEMICAL
COMPANIES.
What do you perceive to be the top benefits to your business from the
application of digital technologies in your chemicals production/
manufacturing operations? Select three, with “1” signifying the most important.
Most importantWithin Top 3
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q7 Base: All respondents
Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

10. ALMOST ALL (95%) OF COMPANIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THEIR
FINANCIAL VALUE FROM USING DIGITAL IN THEIR OPERATIONS. OF THESE, 55%
HAVE GAINED BETWEEN 5% AND 20% INCREASES IN OPERATING PROFIT
IMPROVEMENTS.
Has your company been able to
determine the financial value of
utilizing digital technologies in
your manufacturing/production
operations? Select one.
What level of operating profit improvement have you determined to be associated
with using digital technologies in your production/manufacturing operations? Select
one.
4%BETWEEN 40% AND
50% INCREASE
31%BETWEEN 10% AND 20%
INCREASE
14%BETWEEN 20% AND
30% INCREASE
6%BETWEEN 30% AND 40%
INCREASE
2%BETWEEN 50% AND
60% INCREASE
YES
95%
NO
5% 24%BETWEEN 5% AND 10%
INCREASE
16%BETWEEN 2% AND 5%
INCREASE
5%BETWEEN 0.5% AND 2%
INCREASE
13Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q10,Q11 Base: All respondents
Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

11. 11
MOST COMPANIES (92%) ARE SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOMES OF THEIR DIGITAL
INVESTMENT. ONE IN THREE ARE EXTREMELY SATISFIED, HAVING REALIZED MOST OR
ALL OF THEIR EXPECTED BENEFITS.
How satisfied is your organization with the outcome of your digital investment in your production/
manufacturing operations over the past year? Select the response that most closely matches your situation.
92%
37%My organization is EXTREMELY
SATISFIED with the benefits
attained from investment in digital;
MOST OR ALL of our expected
benefits were derived
55%My organization is RELATIVELY
SATISFIED with the benefits
attained from investment in digital;
SOME of our expected benefits
were derived
8%My organization is NOT SATISFIED
with the benefits attained from
investment in digital; HARDLY ANY
of our expected benefits were
derived
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q13 Base: All respondents Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

12. 12
6%
10%
8%
8%
13%
12%
10%
16%
17%
24%
26%
28%
29%
33%
36%
37%
40%
46%
Mobility/Wearables
Robotics
Collaboration and social tools
Industrial cybersecurity
Intelligent/Smart sensors
Cloud
Advanced Process Control
Artificial intelligence/machine learning
Big Data/Analytics/Edge Computing
Where will your digital investment for your production/manufacturing
operations be allocated in the next three years? Select three, with “1”
signifying the most investment.
Top technologyWithin Top 3
HALF(46%) of chemical
companies plan to allocate
most of their digital
investment in big data/
analytics/edge computing
within the next three years.
Just under
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q15 Base: All respondents Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

13. 9%
12%
15%
10%
13%
12%
16%
14%
33%
34% 35% 36% 37%
39%
42%
44%
13
Which of these would you consider the greatest cybersecurity risks to your production/
manufacturing operations?
Rank your top 3, where 1 = Greatest Risk.
Operational
reliability
Commercial
consequences
(production loss,
breach of
contracts i.e.
customer supply,
etc.)
Loss of
intellectual
property
Customer
information
Reputational
damage
Environment,
Health & Safety
(EH&S)
Loss of dataRegulatory
infractions
Top riskWithin Top 3
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q25 Base: All respondents
Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

14. 8%
10%
11%
12%
13%
16%
17%
13%
34%
34%
35%
35%
38%
39%
41%
44%Asset management/Identification
Incident management i.e. tracking and response
Strategy and governance (IT/OT alignment)
Risk assessments
Workforce development/Training
Managed services/Outsourced security support
Asset hardening and remediation
Anomaly detection/Analytics
14
Which of these investments in industrial cybersecurity would you consider
most valuable in securing your production/manufacturing operations?
Rank three, where 1 = Most Valuable.
Asset management/
identification and incident
management are
considered by over
40%of executives to be
among the most valuable
cybersecurity
investments for securing
production/
manufacturing
operations.
Top choiceWithin Top 3
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q26 Base: All respondents
Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

15. 33% 36% 36% 39% 40%
15
Which of the following cybersecurity activities can your organization execute?
Select all that apply.
42%
MANAGE FINANCIAL
RISK DUE TO A
CYBERSECURITY
EVENT
42%
MINIMIZE
DISRUPTION FROM A
CYBERSECURITY
EVENT
Manage
reputational risk
due to a
cybersecurity
event
Identify the cause
of a breach
Measure the impact
of the a breach
Know the frequency
of breaches
Monitor for
breaches
OVER 40%
of chemical companies are able to manage their financial risk and
minimize disruptions resulting from cyber security incidents. Fewer
(33%) are able to monitor breaches.
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q27 Base: All respondents Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

16. 1%
25%
46%
19%
6%
2%
46%
38%
13%
3%
6%
44%
31%
11%
8%
70% YES 30% NO
16
In the past 12 months, approximately how
many attempted industrial cybersecurity
breaches have you identified? Select one.
Of the attempted industrial cybersecurity
breaches you identified in the past 12
months, how many were successful? Select
one.
Thinking about the past year, how long,
on average, did it take for a successful
industrial cybersecurity breach to be
detected? Select one.
Base: Organizations who are tracking cybersecurity breaches, excluding “Don’t know/Unsure” responses (n=248).
ARE YOU CURRENTLY TRACKING CYBERSECURITY BREACHES OF YOUR PRODUCTION / MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS (I.E.
INDUSTRIAL CYBERSECURITY BREACHES)? SELECT ONE.
Don’t
know/
unsure
Base: Organizations who are tracking cybersecurity breaches (n=251).
31
to
60
0
to
30
61
to
90
91
to
150
151
to
270
0
to
30
61
to
90
31
to
60
91
to
270
Minutes DaysHours Weeks Months
50%
Digital Chemical Plant Survey: Q28, Q29, Q30, Q31
Base: All respondents
54%73%
Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved.

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