This Week's Top Five Stories in Supply Chain

Inside BITZER & SAP's Supply Chain Efficiency AI Pilot

BITZER and SAP are working together to deliver health, safety and comfort to customers around the world with new AI project.

Under its Project Embodied AI plans, the partnership is prioritising AI optimisation and integration, in order to revolutionise intelligent automation across warehouses.

Through this, warehouse operations are more efficiency and seamless, enabling businesses to meet demand and reduce errors.

How Lilac & Traxys are De-Risking US Lithium Supply Chains

The global push towards electrification is reshaping supply chains in new ways every day. It touches every industry, but has particular consequence for leaders across EV manufacturing and mining, as well of course as supply chain and procurement.

Now a new partnership between Lilac Solutions and Traxys North America is further exposing this critical shift. 

On 15 May, 2025, the two firms formalised a binding 10-year offtake agreement for lithium carbonate produced at Lilac's Great Salt Lake facility in Utah, signalling a significant shift in how critical minerals flow through North American supply networks.

The deal extends beyond a conventional commercial contract. It represents a strategic move to de-risk domestic lithium production in the United States and establishes a clear procurement pathway for one of the most significant near-term critical mineral projects in the West.

From Gadgets to EVs: Tech Giants Rewire Supply Chains

Technology companies are increasingly diversifying their manufacturing capabilities into EV production as traditional smartphone markets show signs of saturation.

The shift could represent a significant transformation in global supply chain dynamics as manufacturers leverage existing expertise in lithium-ion battery technology, software-defined architectures and rapid product development cycles.

The International Data Corporation projects that worldwide smartphone shipments may decline by almost 1% in 2026, prompting manufacturers to seek new revenue streams.

The transition from smartphones to EVs could offer a logical progression, given the substantial overlap in core technologies and supply chain requirements between these two product categories.

All supply chain, sustainability, Scope 3 and net zero leaders should attend:

• Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit - QEII Centre, London, March 4-5
• Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit - Navy Pier, Chicago, April 21-22

Co-located with Sustainability LIVE, these events brings together CSCOs, CSOs and senior decision-makers at a moment when sustainability, supply chains and commercial performance are increasingly interconnected.

Tickets can be booked online today for The Net Zero Summit and The US Summit. Group discounts available.

What Does Maersk Predict for the Future of Global Trade?

2025 proved a volatile year for global trade, with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, US President Donald Trump's 'War on Tariffs' and cyber attacks across retailers and manufacturers making trade uncertain.

As we enter a new year of trade, Maersk has released its winter edition of the Maersk Global Market Update, exploring some of the key events that could impact global supply chains.

With these upcoming events in mind, Maersk explores how it is preparing to ensure its customers receive a seamless logistics experience.

How Rio-Glencore Reshapes Metal Sourcing Power

The global mining industry could face substantial transformation as Rio Tinto and Glencore resume merger discussions.

For supply chain professionals, this potential consolidation could fundamentally alter the procurement landscape for critical raw materials.

The renewed talks concern a potential combination that would create an entity with an enterprise value exceeding US$260bn. These discussions are taking place following conversations in early March 2025, when a previous attempt at a combination ended.

On Friday, both firms confirmed each was in "preliminary discussions" regarding a "possible combination of some or all of their businesses, which could include an all-share merger".