Digital Independence of Russia’s Chemical Industry
The choice of a Russian SCM solution underscores the growing trend toward localizing enterprise software in strategic industries.
Integration and Evolution: Building “Smart” Supply Chains
Stupino Chemical Plant (SCP) and Novo BI have launched a project to deploy Novo Forecast Enterprise, a domestic digital platform for demand forecasting and supply chain management.
SCP is one of Russia’s key chemical producers, and its decision to implement a Russian-made system highlights the accelerating shift toward import substitution in enterprise software. Novo Forecast Enterprise automates demand forecasting, optimizes inventory management, and improves supply chain efficiency using machine learning and big data analytics.
Introducing such systems directly enhances operational resilience: it reduces raw material and finished goods surpluses, boosts inventory turnover, and increases planning accuracy — strengthening the plant’s financial stability in the process.
A Showcase for the Entire Industry
Unlike retail or FMCG sectors, where demand forecasting and inventory systems have long been standard, chemical production faces unique challenges — long production cycles, expensive raw materials, and stringent safety and quality requirements. That’s why the successful deployment of such a solution at SCP carries particular significance for the entire sector.
SCP’s implementation could serve as a showcase case for promoting Novo Forecast Enterprise across other industries — chemicals, petrochemicals, metallurgy, and mechanical engineering.
The platform is already being piloted elsewhere — including at the “Russky Svet” company — reflecting growing confidence in Russian SCM technologies. Within enterprises, Novo Forecast Enterprise can be further integrated with ERP, MES, and IoT platforms, forming “smart,” self-adapting, scenario-driven supply chains. This integration also fosters a data-driven corporate culture focused on KPIs and accountability for forecasts.
Developing Domestic Competencies
For end consumers, such innovations have an indirect yet meaningful impact: increased production efficiency helps lower prices and improve the quality of goods that depend on chemical components.
For the nation, the project symbolizes the growth of domestic expertise in intelligent planning and the strengthening of technological sovereignty — especially under current restrictions on foreign software.
There is export potential as well — particularly across the CIS and other emerging markets where logistics and forecasting automation are just beginning to take root. Still, competition remains tough, with global players like SAP IBP, Oracle, and Blue Yonder dominating. Russian developers will need to focus on flexibility, localization, and cost efficiency to compete.
A Growing Market: From Retail to Heavy Industry
In recent years, Russia’s market for local SCM solutions has expanded rapidly. One notable example is the automated data-exchange system between X5 Group — owner of the “Perekrestok” supermarket chain — and producer EFKO.
The Forecast NOW! product became the national leader by number of implementations in 2021, successfully adopted in retail (the “Poryadok” chain), distribution, and even industrial sectors — such as at the machine-building company “Strop” in Novosibirsk.
These projects demonstrate the growing maturity of Russian forecasting systems and their ability to operate not only in FMCG but also in complex industrial environments. Moving into heavy industry introduces a higher level of complexity, requiring consideration of production cycles, standards, and logistics.
Forecasting Demand: Challenges and Opportunities
Ultimately, the SCP project is not just automation — it’s a shift toward analytically grounded management. Its success could catalyze the development of Russia’s SCM segment, driving innovation, improving quality, and broadening functionality. If Novo Forecast Enterprise delivers measurable results — reduced inventories, greater forecasting accuracy, higher KPIs — it could become a model for Russia’s entire industrial landscape in the era of digital independence.
The rollout of Novo Forecast Enterprise at SCP and other industrial firms marks a significant step toward maturity in Russian IT solutions for intelligent planning.
