28
INTERVIEW
SUSTAINABILITY VIA INNOVATION IS HUNTSMAN’S MAJOR FOCUS Be it digital technologies or self-reliance, Huntsman Corporation, a leader in dyestuff industry, has made rapid strides. Mr. Suhas More, Commercial Director at Huntsman Corporation speaks to the Textile Value Chain in an exclusive interview about the steps the company has taken during the present pandemic times, and also the future plans and strategies. Excerpts: How did Huntsman manage during the pandemic times, esp. what were the steps to overcome the crisis? Suhas More: One thing the pandemic has taught us is that being agile and flexible will always be critical. While the Covid-19 outbreak has proven to be a huge disruptor, it has also provided us with an opportunity to innovate and reinvent ourselves. For instance, we have leveraged technology to remain connected with our customers and developed customized products to cater to their evolving needs. As the crisis continues, it has become evident that identifying effective ways of working, collaborating, and challenging the status quo is the only way forward for the chemical industry. To become a USD300 billion industry by 2025, it is imperative that we continue building on our R&D capabilities, invest in the right talent, and leverage new opportunities as well as technologies to ensure sustained growth for the sector. The safety of our employees and partners remains our topmost priority. With the situation now returning to normalcy along with the administration of vaccines, we continue to take all the necessary precautionary measures to help curb the spread of infection. What are the steps it took to automate/digitalise the company in the dyes & intermediates sector? Suhas More: Applying digital technologies is becoming a strategic imperative in the chemical industry, it opens up a brighter future with ample opportunities for us. The first and the most important step is to have a proper road map. Leading companies are introducing new organizational approaches to digitalization, as they see value across their portfolios and align their organizations to best capture the advantages. Digitization is the need of the hour and is inevitable the pro-
OCTOBER 2021
Key Points • We have leveraged technology to remain connected with our customers • The safety of our employees and partners remains our topmost priority. • The first and the most important step is to have a proper road map. • We intend to continue expanding our presence across the country in accordance with the government’s vision of making india more self-sufficient. • One of our key focus areas as a brand will be to continue driving sustainability through innovation. • India is a global dye supplier, accounting for 16% of global dyestuff and dye intermediary production. cess might be slow, but the goal will be achieved. With the GOI’s Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, and Digital India. The chemical industry saw a rapid wave of digital growth during the pandemic which has accelerated the process of digital adoption. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data have possibly the most potential to disrupt every aspect of a chemical company’s business model, from research and development to customer interaction, operations to compliance and shareholder value to social responsibility. However, robotics and its adoption in Indian chemical industry will be gradual given the economics and availability of skilled/semi-skilled labor compared to developed countries. Nevertheless, its value is evident in super skilled and high precision work (viz electronics, auto, 3D printing, etc.). What are the future plans & goals for the future? Suhas More: In line with the government’s vision to make India more self-reliant, we aim to continue expanding our presence across the country, while further building on our existing product portfolio to meet the needs of diverse markets across the globe. As always, we will continue supporting our customers all over the world through the development of innovative, ecological solutions that help reduce environmental footprint and enhance resource optimization.
