DigiChem Dialogues

Winning in the Age of AI: New Growth Playbook for Chemical Companies | Dan Futter, Dow & Chris Musso, McKinsey

What does it actually take to win commercially in the age of AI — and how is it different from what chemical companies have done before? In this episode of DigiChem Dialogues, host Jay Bhatia [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaybhatia2017/] sits down with Dan Futter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-futter-0797283b/], Chief Commercial Officer at Dow [https://www.dow.com], and Chris Musso [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismusso/], Senior Partner and Global Chemicals Lead at McKinsey [https://www.mckinsey.com], for an unscripted conversation on one of the most urgent questions facing the chemical industry right now. Dan and Chris pull no punches. From AI-mediated customer discovery and the death of traditional SEO, to the data foundation every company needs before any of this works, to why the bottleneck for most chemical companies right now isn't operations — it's commercial growth. Key topics covered: How AI is fundamentally changing the way chemical buyers discover and evaluate products — and what that means for your go-to-market strategy. Why putting a chatbot on your website isn't enough — and what Dow has actually built to prepare for the AI-mediated search era, including a generative AI search agent going live on Dow.com June 1st. How AI agents are being used to find new customers, qualify leads, and handle early-stage conversations at a scale no sales team could match. Why clean, structured, and contextual product master data is the non-negotiable foundation — and how to think about getting there. What will separate chemical companies that scale AI into a real growth engine from those still stuck in pilots three years from now. Whether you run a $50M specialty chemical business or a $5B global operation, this conversation will give you a clear-eyed view of where the industry is heading and what you need to do about it. Show Notes / Guest Bios: Dan Futter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-futter-0797283b/] is the Chief Commercial Officer at Dow [https://www.dow.com], one of the world's largest chemical companies with over $40B in annual revenue. Dan has led commercial transformation at Dow for over 30 years, including building out Dow.com into a major digital demand generation engine and spearheading the company's AI-driven commercial strategy. Chris Musso [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismusso/] is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company [https://www.mckinsey.com] and leads the firm's global chemicals practice. Chris has advised chemical companies around the world on commercial transformation, AI adoption, and growth strategy, and holds a PhD in materials commercialization. Jay Bhatia [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaybhatia2017/] is the Founder and CEO of Agilis Commerce [https://www.agiliscommerce.com] and host of DigiChem Dialogues — an executive series bringing together the most senior commercial and digital minds in the chemical industry.

You Can’t Cook AI in a Dirty Kitchen: Data & Architecture Foundations with Allnex CIO

AI is on every agenda, but in the chemical industry, most initiatives struggle for a simple reason: the foundation isn’t ready. In this episode of DigiChem Dialogues, Jilles Eissen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jilleseissen/?originalSubdomain=nl] (Global CIO, Allnex [https://allnex.com/en]) joins Jay Bhatia [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaybhatia2017/] (CEO, Agilis [https://agiliscommerce.com/]) to break down why “you can’t cook AI in a dirty kitchen,” and what it actually takes to make AI deliver real outcomes. Drawing from experience across manufacturing, R&D, and enterprise systems, Jilles explains how years of growth, acquisitions, and local optimization have left many companies with “spaghetti kitchens”: complex, fragmented landscapes that AI will only amplify. The path forward isn’t more tools, it’s better foundations: clear ownership, structured data, aligned processes, and architecture that reflects today’s company, not yesterday’s. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN * Why AI amplifies messy data and disconnected systems * What “data context” actually means in practice * Where organizations lose control (R&D → production → commercial handoffs) * Why data governance is a leadership responsibility—not an IT task * How to move from “spaghetti” complexity to scalable, layered systems ABOUT THE GUEST Jilles Eissen is the Global CIO of Allnex, a leading producer of industrial coating resins and additives. He leads enterprise-wide digital transformation across data, architecture, and operations in a global manufacturing environment. ABOUT DIGICHEM DIALOGUES DigiChem Dialogues is a podcast series featuring leaders across the chemical industry, focused on practical insights in digital transformation, data strategy, and AI. Follow DigiChem Dialogues for more conversations with industry leaders on making digital transformation real in chemicals.

Omnichannel Excellence & AI-Driven Innovation: Transforming Customer Experience at Henkel

In this episode of DigiChem Dialogues, we sit down with Sebastian Förster, Manager of Customer Experience Activation at Henkel Adhesive Technologies and Henkel’s 2025 Corporate Influencer of the Year. Sebastian takes us inside Henkel’s approach to building immersive, value-driven customer experiences in a complex B2B world — blending digital tools, physical Inspiration Centers, and co-creation with customers to drive real impact. We discuss: ✅ How Henkel bridges physical and digital CX through innovation hubs like the Inspiration Center ✅ Practical strategies for co-creating with customers at scale ✅ Using data and feedback loops to drive continuous CX improvement ✅ Real-world AI use cases in marketing, R&D, and automation ✅ Why storytelling and emotion matter in B2B customer journeys ✅ Tips for chemical companies looking to start small and scale smart in digital transformation Whether you’re a CX leader, digital strategist, or marketer in the chemical industry, this episode is packed with insights you can act on. 🎧 Listen now and learn how customer-centric thinking can shape the future of B2B engagement. 📍 Watch the full episode on-demand: digichemdialogues.agiliscommerce.com/omnichannel-excellence-ai-driven-innovation-transforming-customer-experience-at-henkel [https://digichemdialogues.agiliscommerce.com/omnichannel-excellence-ai-driven-innovation-transforming-customer-experience-at-henkel]

Leadership & Innovation in the Chemical Sector: A Conversation with Megan Gluth

In this groundbreaking episode of DigiChem Dialogues, host Jay Bhatia interviews Megan Gluth, the pioneering CEO of Catalynt and the first female Chair of the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD). Episode Highlights: * An intimate look at Megan's remarkable journey from rural Iowa to leading a top chemical distribution company * Insights into human-centered Capitalism and Innovative Leadership Strategies * Exploring the transformative impact of digital technology and AI in the chemical industry * Candid discussions about women's leadership and industry evolution Discover the critical demographic shifts reshaping the chemical workforce, with Millennials and Gen Z expected to comprise 75% of the industry within the next 4-5 years. Megan provides expert perspectives on how AI and digital technologies are revolutionizing chemical distribution and when digitalization will transition from a "nice to have" to a "must-have". About the Guest: Megan Gluth [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-gluth-bohan/] is the CEO & Owner of Catalynt Solutions, a certified women-owned chemical supplier recognized on the Puget Sound Business Journal's 2023 Middle Market Fast 50 list. She's also the recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 award. A must-listen for industry professionals, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the future of chemical distribution and innovative leadership. Hosted by Jay Bhatia, Founder and CEO of Agilis [http://www.agiliscommerce.com].

AI and Digital Transformation in the Chemical Industry with Westlake CDO, Constantyn Chalitsios

DigiChem Dialogues presents an engaging episode featuring Constantyn Chalitsios, exploring the cutting-edge intersection of AI and digital transformation in the chemical industry. This conversation delves into the innovative approaches and strategic insights for leveraging technology to drive operational excellence. Key highlights of the episode include: * AI Implementation Strategies: Constantyn shares practical approaches for integrating artificial intelligence into chemical industry processes, highlighting the transformative potential of digital technologies. * Digital Transformation Insights: Explore the challenges and opportunities of digital adoption in the chemical sector, with a focus on how organizations can effectively navigate technological change. * Technological Innovation: Discover the latest trends in digital solutions that are reshaping the chemical industry's operational and customer engagement models. * Future of Chemical Distribution: Gain valuable perspectives on how AI and digital tools are creating new opportunities for efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage. Tune in to learn from Constantyn Chalitsios's expert insights on driving digital transformation and AI adoption in the chemical industry.