Learn how technical sales teams at specialty chemical companies can navigate challenges using a fresh approach to generative AI.
Chemical Manufacturing
September 12, 2024
Safety data sheets (SDS) are vital to sharing important technical information on chemicals and substances. They’re required to ensure product safety, environmental responsibility, and regulatory compliance across company departments and product handlers.
Chemical safety data sheets are integral to chemical company operations, especially throughout manufacturing, distribution, and sales. These data sheets are so highly valued that the global SDS management market is projected to reach $25.4 billion by 2031.
As the chemical industry continues to advance, artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing new opportunities to how safety data sheets are developed and interpreted.
In this article, Nesh shares how chemical professionals can get more out of safety data sheets using AI.
Safety data sheets — specifically for the chemical industry — are comprehensive documents that thoroughly detail a product’s properties, handling procedures, potential hazards, and emergency response protocols. Because chemical compounds are potentially volatile and dangerous, all handlers must be equipped with the right information to safely use a given substance.
That said, SDS serves multiple purposes every day.
In almost all chemical sectors, it’s required by law to use safety data sheets. Chemical companies are legally bound to maintain an updated and accurate SDS database for every product, which is why proper SDS management is such an important consideration. A recent OSHA update, for example, states that chemical manufacturers have until January 2026 to update their proof of compliance with new rules.
While safety data sheets certainly dominate environmental and regulatory spaces, they also impact sales and marketing. Safety data equips sales representatives with detailed product information when they have to answer complex questions with accuracy and confidence.
Additionally, thorough safety reports can enhance marketing teams with a chemical’s unique properties, positioning it as a better choice in the market. For example, if a new, innovative product is released containing fewer risks than a previous product, marketing teams can communicate its unique safety value to customers.
Troubleshooting is also common in chemical sales and customer support. Detailed SDS information helps solve customer issues and improve product applications while presenting support teams as leaders in their field. This strengthens customers’ trust in the company.
The main factor here is that sales and marketing teams must have access to updated SDS information to make the most out of it. This is where generative AI comes in.
Generative AI technology holds enormous potential for enhancing SDS practices. However, the effectiveness of using AI to leverage safety data sheets better first depends on the accuracy of product data.
A precise product database is the foundation of any genAI application in chemicals. Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) enables AI models to use vast amounts of product data so that generated outputs are relevant and precise.
Information synthesis is also crucial. When an AI system integrates with data from multiple sources, users generate complete insights for their use case instead of receiving and combining individual data points that take time to fully interpret. A complete picture of the product application, industry safety standards, and regulatory requirements improves how safety data sheets can be leveraged.
With the right AI technology, chemical sales reps can do more with safety data sheets. Here’s a more detailed look at the impact of AI on chemical SDS for sales teams.
GenAI systems analyze SDS and market trends for ideal product positioning, helping sales reps tailor their approach to each customer interaction. This personalization improves the likelihood of meeting customer safety or regulatory requirements and ultimately helps close deals.
AI search functions quickly navigate through extensive SDS documents, pinpointing critical information in seconds. Rapid information retrieval not only supports customers with accurate responses but also allows sales representatives to focus on relationship-building rather than data retrieval.
GenAI converts data from different formats into a streamlined report, which is helpful when dealing with safety data sheets from various sources. Sales teams can standardize analysis of SDS from different companies, helping them make accurate comparisons across products and manufacturers.
Automated standardization also gives customers clear, unbiased information about how different products compare. Additionally, AI distills lengthy, complex safety data into concise, easily digestible summaries. Where sales reps often have to interpret what the most important attributes to compare, genAI can automatically determine which attributes are priority considerations for a specific customer application.
These AI-generated overviews highlight product features, safety considerations, and unique selling points so that sales representatives can quickly grasp and communicate a product’s value.
By analyzing vast amounts of company data including SDS, genAI platforms create faster training experiences that focus on the most relevant product information. This approach reduces onboarding and ramp time for new employees so that they can sooner become productive team members. Combining SDS information with genAI supports continual learning for existing sales reps by providing updates on product changes, new regulations, and emerging industry trends.
AI brings greater vigilance to compliance, making sure products meet specific requirements by continuously scanning safety data sheets. Sales reps gain real-time regulatory checks for regional and customer-specific standards.
With this capability, sales reps can present products that they know meet relevant standards. Plus, as regulations change, genAI-powered SDS suggest necessary updates so that companies can ensure compliance throughout their product line. This not only minimizes the risk of regulatory violations but also positions sales reps as trusted advisors who guide customers through the complex landscape of chemical regulations.
With greater access to updated safety information, refined data analysis, and a streamlined compliance assurance process, generative AI empowers chemical sales teams to do their best work.
As AI technology continues to grow, companies that embrace these approaches are prepared to be winners in the chemical industry moving forward.
To explore the capabilities of GenAI in chemical safety data sheets and more, contact Nesh. Our advanced solutions transform SDS and sales management for even the most complex operations. Visit our Resources page to learn more about Nesh’s powerful AI applications today.
Want to learn more about Generative AI in the chemical industry? Download our Ultimate Guide to AI in Chemicals.
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