Rising volatility in investments affects end users, OEMs, and EPCs. This is driven by global shocks, tech cycles, and the Bullwhip effect across complex value chains.

This report includes insights drawn from a recent ARC Advisory Group survey of 591 Global industry leaders. It highlights how different sectors are pursuing tailored Industrial AI, smart manufacturing/digital transformation strategies to meet evolving demands, with a focus on innovation, operational effectiveness, and sustainability.

The increasing demand for reliable, carbon-free energy and process heat for industrial, commercial, and residential applications is propelling companies to consider and deploy nuclear energy.

Collaborative IT/OT cybersecurity can help industrial companies address major OT cybersecurity challenges like lack of resources, ransomware, sophisticated attacks, and the security risks in new digital transformation efforts. This report discusses recent ARC research around the adoption of collaborative IT/OT cybersecurity and the strategies companies are using to implement these programs.

The EU NIS2 Directive significantly enhances cybersecurity regulations for the manufacturing industry, expanding its scope to include both process and discrete sectors. This directive mandates comprehensive risk management, stringent incident reporting, and senior management accountability, aiming to elevate cybersecurity from a technical concern to a strategic imperative.

The European Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) introduces stringent new cybersecurity requirements for vendors of digital products in the automation industry, compelling a shift in compliance strategies. This regulation mandates risk management, vulnerability reporting, and CE marking, aiming to harmonize security standards across the EU and ensure products are secure by design and default.

Pharmaceutical and biotech companies are shifting toward a proactive, opportunity-led strategy that leans heavily on developing new products, entering new markets, and expanding global reach.

The European industrial cybersecurity threat landscape is becoming increasingly dangerous, with a rise in cyber-attacks on industrial plants and critical infrastructure. Consequently, a new market for industrial cybersecurity services is emerging, offering a range of services from implementation to post-attack recovery, including specialized applications for anomaly detection and compliance verification.

This ARC Insight explores how sustainability is driving innovation and strategic change in the industrial sector. It is intended for industry professionals seeking insight into key trends discussed at ARC’s forum in Sitges, including decarbonization and energy transition.

This Insight highlights OPAF’s role in shaping the future of automation architectures, summarizing key takeaways from the 2025 ARC Forum session in Sitges for professionals driving next-generation, interoperable industrial systems.