Last month’s Chemical Innovation Exchange (CIEX) Summit brought together leaders from across the chemical industry — CEOs, CTOs, researchers, investors — all under one roof here at The Heritage Group in Indianapolis.

CIEX has always been about sparking collaboration and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in chemistry and materials science. And that’s exactly what happened. The smaller, more intimate setting of this year’s summit gave people the space to share not just their big wins, but also the challenges they can’t solve alone.

As our own Sibel Selcuk, EVP of Heritage Research Group, put it:

“Hosting CIEX is one of the most significant events of my year. It’s an opportunity to reunite with longtime friends and meet new colleagues from across the industry. I always look forward to the dynamic collaborations and innovative exchanges that take place at the forefront of our field.”

Highlights and Takeaways

Here are a few of the things that stood out:

• Openness and Vulnerability
  The format encouraged leaders to discuss not only breakthroughs but also existential challenges. Scientific leadership from visiting companies used their sessions to highlight pressing issues in manufacturing and product development – representative of the honest, problem-sharing dialogue that defined the summit.
• Companies willing to share both sides of the coin
  Leaders shared progress in sustainability and new product development while acknowledging the difficulties of scaling solutions in a shifting global market.
• Connections that count
  The speed networking sessions were a hit — quick, focused conversations that helped people build relationships that could turn into real partnerships.
• AI is all over the map
  The conversation around artificial intelligence underscored how uneven adoption remains across the chemical sector.
  • On one end, companies are emulating pharma’s advanced AI integration.
  • On the other, many are still experimenting and “figuring it out.”
  • Across the board, leaders agreed that a strong data foundation that includes well-structured systems and quality datasets will be essential for effectively leveraging AI in the future.

Big Picture

If there was one theme running through CIEX, it was this: collaboration is key. No single company has all the answers — and that’s okay. By being open, sharing both wins and struggles, and building strong networks, we’re moving the entire industry forward.

As CIEX returns to Indianapolis in 2026, The Heritage Group is proud to continue serving as a hub for these conversations. With leaders openly sharing both breakthroughs and barriers, the summit demonstrates that collaboration is the most powerful catalyst for innovation.