The Laboratory of the Future: Challenges, Threats and Opportunities

The roundtable will examine the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of the laboratory sector in Europe and globally, bringing together representatives from analytical, industrial, certification, and research laboratories, along with academic experts and professionals from the chemical sector. The discussion will address the impact of digitalization, automation, and artificial intelligence on laboratory models, the evolution of professional profiles, and the new skills required. It will also explore sustainability, the circular economy, European competitiveness in relation to the U.S. and Asia, and the sector’s technological needs, such as data integration, traceability, and flexible automation. Finally, growth opportunities linked to biotechnology, healthcare, new materials, energy transition, and advanced data analysis will be explored, highlighting the role of laboratories as drivers of innovation and sustainable development.