## 1 Introduction  
The acceleration of industrial digitization is increasingly evident, with a range of technologies synergizing to enable comprehensive end-to-end engineering integration across all phases of the product lifecycle [1]. One such innovative technology that has emerged as a central component of this digital revolution is augmented reality (AR) [2]. AR is a technology that superimposes digital information (e.g., sound, images, text) in the real-world environment to enhance the user's experience by creating opportunities for interaction and engagement with the physical world. Its role as a critical enabler in the evolution of Industry 4.0 and the broader sphere of industrial digitization has been considerably reinforced by the rapid proliferation of supporting tools and hardware, making it more accessible and user-friendly than ever before [3, 4]. Augmented reality has been subject to extensive research and scrutiny, yielding promising results [5]. A plethora of studies substantiate its substantial benefits, such as considerable reductions in task execution time and the occurrence of errors. They affirm its effectiveness, intuitiveness, and simplicity of use, making AR an enticing prospect for myriad applications [6; 7]. AR is characterized by the superposition of virtual elements in a natural environment with visualization devices [8]. In AR, the natural environment is not suppressed; on the contrary, the natural environment plays a dominant role, as it is the synthetic information that integrates with the physical world [9]. Additionally, AR exhibits versatile applicability across a wide array of knowledge domains. From medicine and entertainment to education, it is proving transformative in various aspects of modern life. Beyond these, however, its potential is also being explored and leveraged across many industrial sectors. In particular, manufacturing, construction, energy, metallurgy, and machinery are areas where AR's capabilities can be exploited to realize significant process enhancements, showcasing its potential to revolutionize industries' operations. AR is a promising tool in various industries in the digital transformation era, offering opportunities to reshape workflows, improve efficiencies, and foster innovation. As the technological landscape evolves, AR's role in shaping industry's future looks set to become increasingly pivotal. Even though the potential and transformative effects of augmented reality have been widely demonstrated, its application within the chemical industrial sphere remains somewhat limited. This observation suggests a possible deficiency in the focus of research and development efforts toward exploring and applying AR tools tailored to facilitate industrial operations. This discrepancy between potential and practical usage is an intriguing facet of the AR landscape and one that warrants a more extensive investigation. While virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) offer compelling advantages for specific training scenarios, particularly for creating immersive simulations of hazardous situations, AR retains several unique strengths that make it an essential tool in high-risk industrial environments. Its ability to provide real-time information overlays, maintain situational awareness, and integrate seamlessly into existing workflows makes AR a practical and effective solution. Ultimately, the choice between AR, VR, and MR should be based on specific use cases, operational requirements, and safety considerations rather than a blanket assumption that one technology is universally superior. Each technology can be valuable in improving safety, training, and operational efficiency in the chemical industry and beyond. While both AR and MR have their strengths, the unique challenges of hazardous environments in the chemical industry may favor using MR for specific applications. MR's ability to create immersive, interactive simulations while allowing users to remain aware of their physical surroundings offers a compelling solution for training and operational tasks.