What changed
Lubrizol, a specialty chemicals manufacturer, is collaborating with Infosys to integrate artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and advanced modeling into its research and development (R&D) processes. The initiative aims to provide researchers with tools to test ideas faster, make better-informed decisions, and develop more sustainable materials without compromising performance.
What this means in practice
Girish Rao, vice president of information technology at Lubrizol, explained that the company is creating a digital foundation that connects business processes, modern data platforms, and cloud infrastructure. This integration allows data scientists to identify patterns, test new hypotheses, and model possibilities before conducting physical experiments. The goal is to combine decades of technical data with the expertise of chemists and engineers who understand customer needs and the physical constraints of their work.
Limitations and availability
The initiative involves forming "fusion teams" comprising scientists, data scientists, and IT teams to approach problems from different perspectives. These teams prioritize experimental validity, model performance, and platform security and scalability, respectively. Lubrizol plans to start with small pilots to build trust among team members. Cloud infrastructure provides flexibility to access computing resources and modern tools without the need for substantial investments in building and maintaining data centers. The company also highlights the potential of AI in advancing sustainability by enabling researchers to evaluate more formulations and explore materials such as starch and corn-based alternatives.
