Danish process industry meets to discuss AI, skills and electrification

Procesindustriens Årsdag 2026, the annual meeting of the Danish process industry association, brought together more than 100 companies and experts. AI, electrification and new European framework conditions dominated the agenda. The main message was that advanced technology only creates real value once it is turned into concrete solutions in daily operations.

On skills, speakers said AI and automation tools are changing the work in production companies. Routine, pattern-based tasks take up less time, while demands for contextual understanding, situational awareness and leadership are rising. Loa Brix of the AI competence pact (AI-kompetencepagten) said all employees need basic AI skills, but that learning should be anchored in operations: skills develop best when people learn while solving their actual tasks.

On AI and machine learning, advisers and manufacturers stressed that success starts from a strong business case and existing process knowledge rather than from the technology itself. Nicklas of Viegand Maagøe said the systems are mature enough to create significant value if a company knows its process and its data. Michael of Koppers reported concrete results at the plant: the process has moved toward less variance, which the company has turned into higher production.

The green transition was the other major theme. Novonesis said it is ready to invest in electrification and the use of surplus heat. It warned, however, that uncertainty about future electricity capacity could push green frontrunners to consider investing abroad. Several participants also noted that electrification requires new ways of working in traditional production environments.

The day closed with a look at international framework conditions, geopolitics and the EU's difficult balancing act between its green agenda and European competitiveness.