8% - 30%
Improvement in OEE (overall equipment effectiveness)
Member of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA)
Member of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA)
Chemicals Industry
The chemical industry is under pressure, also in Belgium. Companies are feeling the impact of market volatility, geopolitical instability, fluctuating raw material prices, energy costs and demand patterns. EFESO Belgium is supporting the chemical players to increase resilience across organizations, by redesigning manufacturing footprint and distribution networks, by increasing operational efficiency and costs to maintaining margins.
Turning Volatility into Competitive Advantage
The chemical industry is cyclical by nature, facing deep downturns followed by surges in demand. These cycles were once predictable, but today’s geopolitical turmoil has made the rhythm more irregular – companies must be ready for rapid change and agility. Controlling operating costs and responding to demand shifts is critical, while also complying with regulatory and environmental requirements.
There is potential for significant efficiency and yield improvements in chemical manufacturing. Facilities typically run at 70 – 92 percent overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), with energy costs accounting for up to 30 percent of production expenses. Environmental compliance also often requires capital-intensive process modifications to overall aging European chemical assets.
Supply chain variability and agility increases the need for more accurate planning through S&OP, S&OE and detailed scheduling. Chemical industry can benefit from new technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). To plan smarter and make use of more complex algorithms that deal with fluctuations in raw material availability, energy costs, pricings, demands and so much more.
Workforce transitions and demographic challenges add complexity for leaders as experienced operators and engineers retire with decades of process knowledge while recruitment of young talent remains difficult.
This convergence creates opportunity for transformation. Together with your teams, we boost asset productivity, improve planning, redesign footprints, optimize energy use, and develop workforce capabilities – making stable, efficient and compliant operations the baseline for competitiveness.
Real Results Achieved with our Clients
Our experts work directly on your shop floor and in your boardroom, bridging the gap between strategic vision and operational reality. Working with industry leaders worldwide, we've demonstrated that breakthrough performance emerges when expertise meets execution. Some of the results we have delivered include:
25% - 60%
Energy consumption reduction
7% - 16%
Reduction in maintenance spend
A Tailored and Pragmatic Approach that Fits your Reality
Corporate transformations cover central services, plants, labs, and supply chains. We help you shift operations from reactive to predictive and from energy intensive to sustainable.
Our standardized approach ensures consistency, reliability and efficiency through unified procedures, training and audits. We deliver targeted results, grounded in practical expertise that ensure solutions that really work, and that last.
We are collaborative and objective, engaging stakeholders to build alignment and equipping your teams with the tools to sustain improvements independently.
By applying proven methodologies, we reduce costs while embedding digital solutions and a culture of continuous improvement resulting in performance gains that reset your competitive baseline – building resilience today and long-term agility for tomorrow.
Accelerating Cost Efficiency
In a margin-pressured environment, you need to go beyond quick fixes.
Supply Chain Maturity and Disruption
Global disruptions and the discontinuation of key raw materials are challenging established sourcing models.
Decarbonization and Clean Energy
Pressure to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions is intensifying – from regulators, customers and also from the bottom line.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Integrations
Significant M&A and divestitures are underway as organizations refocus on their core businesses and reduce diversification.
Digitalization and Industry 4.0
Compared with other sectors, digitalization and Industry 4.0 are still at an early stage in the chemical industry.
Future-proof, zero-based organizations
Market conditions are pushing the chemical industry to optimize processes and workflows.
Accelerating Cost Efficiency
In a margin-pressured environment, you need to go beyond quick fixes. Many organizations face the challenge of achieving cost reductions while sustaining growth. We work with you to apply a strategic, data-driven approach that can unlock up to 25 percent in OpEx savings – supporting lasting performance improvements tailored to your operation.
Our services: Standard Operating Model | Cost Takeout and Value Creation | Leadership development
Supply Chain Maturity and Disruption
Global disruptions and the discontinuation of key raw materials are challenging established sourcing models. For many companies, this means rethinking supply strategies while maintaining business continuity. We work with your teams to design resilient supply chains that are fit for today’s volatility.
Our Services: Redesign industrial footprint | Supply Chain risk assessment | Control tower for performance management
Decarbonization and Clean Energy
Pressure to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions is intensifying – from regulators, customers and also from the bottom line. Yet the path to sustainable operations is complex. We help you translate your ambitions into a practical roadmap for your business.
Our Services: Decarbonization Roadmaps | | Change Management for Sustainability | ESG Reporting & Compliance
Mergers, Acquisitions and Integrations
Significant M&A and divestitures are underway as organizations refocus on their core businesses and reduce diversification. This trend continues, with recent deals driving “Synergy Programs” to realize promised benefits.
Our Services: Operational Due Diligence | Post-Merger Integration (PMI) | Operating Model Redesign | Change Leadership & Culture Integration | PMO & Execution Support
Digitalization and Industry 4.0
Compared with other sectors, digitalization and Industry 4.0 are still at an early stage in the chemical industry. Comprehensive digital and automation programs remain the exception rather than the rule – yet they hold significant potential. They can also help address demographic challenges, for example by capturing and digitalizing expertise and reducing the need for personnel in roles that appear less attractive.
Our Services: Industry 4.0 assessment / Digitalization roadmap / Advanced process control / Condition-based and predictive maintenance models
Future-proof, zero-based organizations
Market conditions are pushing the chemical industry to optimize processes and workflows. At the same time, and true to the principle “form follows function,” organizational structures must be adapted to create lean yet future-proof models. Given the scale of change, managing the transformation journey with care is essential.
Our Service: Zero-based organizational design / Change management and communication / Target Operating Model.
Our Services to Support your Transformation
Explore how our actionable, high-impact and tailored service offerings help you succeed
Digital & AI
Digital investments fail to deliver operational impact. We translate technology into performance gains through practical AI deployment, data-driven decision systems, and frontline digital tools.
Manufacturing
Aging equipment meets rising costs and technology disruption. We transform operations through smart factory integration, predictive maintenance, and workforce capability building.
Operations Strategy and Transformation
Helping organizations rethink how they create value. We strengthen performance, build resilience, and accelerate growth across every layer of your business.
Procurement
Material costs and supplier volatility threaten profitability. We unlock savings through strategic sourcing, supplier collaboration, and digital procurement transformation.
Sustainability
ESG pledges require embedded operational transformation. We deliver measurable impact through circular economy practices, carbon reduction programs, and sustainable value chain redesign.
Transactions and Turnaround
High-stakes situations demand rapid, decisive action. We stabilize and transform through operational diagnostics, cash flow optimization, and sustainable restructuring programs.
Chemicals Client Results
-18%
GHG emissions reduction by 2025
Chemicals
"Reduce Program": Driving GHG Reduction to Achieve Climate Neutrality by 2050
Accelerated GHG reduction roadmap for chemical manufacturer targeting climate neutrality, delivering 18% emissions cut by 2025.
The EFESO Touch
Our experts work directly on your shop floor – optimizing your reactors and reducing energy consumption by up to 60 percent. Our Process Kaizen engineers are embedded in your team, transferring capabilities that become part of your organization.
From specialty chemicals to petrochemicals, we have worked with in-house teams to deliver OEE improvements of up to 30 percent across more than 300 projects globally.
Together, we navigate regulatory requirements, address supply chain complexities and integrate digital twins with tangible results. Your teams know the problems; we'll help you structure solutions that become your competitive advantage.
Meet Some of Our Chemicals Team Members
Ready to Thrive in Chemical Volatility?
- Turn market volatility into competitive advantage
- From reactive pricing to predictive operations
- See how chemical leaders protect 20%+ margins