Industrial connectivity is moving from being a supporting utility to becoming a strategic enabler of transformation. A private 5G deployment at LyondellBasell Industries highlights how this shift is playing out in practice, with NTT Data and Celona working together to modernise connectivity across global manufacturing sites.
LyondellBasell is one of the world’s leading chemical companies, supplying materials that underpin everyday products and supporting the transition towards a more circular and lower carbon economy. Like many asset intensive organisations, it operates large, complex facilities where reliability, safety and efficiency are paramount. At the same time, the business is pursuing a broad Value Enhancement Program aimed at driving operational improvements across its global footprint.
A recurring theme emerging from transformation workshops was the need for robust, pervasive wireless connectivity in the field. Many digital initiatives, from connected worker solutions to real time data access, simply could not scale without a step change in network capability. Traditional Wi-Fi approaches were assessed but found to be costly and operationally challenging at plant scale. Public 5G was also considered but raised concerns around latency, data sovereignty and integration with internal systems.
This is where private 5G entered the picture. NTT Data and Celona collaborated closely with LyondellBasell’s IT and operations teams to design and integrate a private 5G network within the existing plant environment. The objective was not only to improve coverage, but to create a global platform capable of supporting digital services consistently across sites while meeting regulatory requirements in each country of operation.
Private 5G brings several characteristics that make it particularly well suited to heavy industrial environments. Large plants can span hundreds of acres, with steel structures, electrical noise and hazardous zones adding complexity. Compared to Wi-Fi, private 5G can deliver broader coverage with significantly fewer access points, reducing infrastructure overheads and simplifying deployment. It also provides predictable low latency performance and keeps sensitive operational data within the enterprise boundary.
For LyondellBasell, the business case was not built around a single application. Instead, it emerged from a basket of use cases aligned with the Value Enhancement Program. Improving time on tools for frontline workers is one example. Engineers and technicians can access documentation, permits and asset information directly in the field rather than returning to control rooms. Video collaboration with remote experts becomes practical even in outdoor or hard to reach areas. Push to talk and other mission critical communications can be consolidated over the same secure network.
Safety and ESG objectives are also part of the equation. Better connectivity supports faster response during incidents, improved situational awareness and the potential integration of man down alerts and location services. In a margin sensitive industry, even small efficiency gains multiplied across sites can translate into meaningful impact.
From a deployment perspective, collaboration between enterprise IT and plant teams proved essential. Site knowledge informs optimal access point placement and ensures compliance with local safety standards such as Class 1 Division 2 requirements. At the same time, central governance helps maintain architectural consistency and avoid fragmentation across regions.
Funding models are another important consideration. Enterprise level sponsorship can align private 5G with long term strategic objectives and prevent the proliferation of multiple technology choices. However, plant readiness and operational priorities still shape the pace of rollout. Early deployments at LyondellBasell have already demonstrated that once field teams experience persistent, seamless connectivity, demand for additional digital applications tends to grow organically.
The broader context is equally significant. Processing industries are facing structural pressures ranging from overcapacity to decarbonisation mandates. Many facilities have already optimised traditional cost levers, leaving digital transformation as one of the few remaining avenues for step change improvement. In this environment, connectivity is no longer a background service but a critical enabler.
The private 5G deployment at LyondellBasell illustrates how enterprises can move beyond pilots and proofs of concept towards operational scale. With NTT Data providing managed services expertise and Celona delivering an enterprise focused 5G LAN solution, the network becomes a foundation for continuous improvement rather than a one off upgrade.
As more industrial organisations evaluate Industry 4.0 initiatives, the question is shifting from whether to invest in advanced wireless, to how quickly it can be embedded into core operations. In that sense, private 5G is not simply about better coverage. It is about creating a secure, scalable and future ready platform that allows digital ambitions to translate into measurable operational value.
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