Barcelona, July 17, 2025.- According to the magazine “MHD Supply Chain News”, there’s a growing understanding that sustainability and digital transformation go hand in hand. Among companies leading on sustainability:
- 94 per cent say end-to-end data connectivity is critical to business success (compared to 85 per cent overall),
- 80 per cent say AI is already changing how they operate (vs. 74 per cent overall), and
- 61 per cent are exploring the implementation of generative AI.
These organisations are increasingly turning to forecasting technologies, automation, and real-time visibility tools not just to cut costs, but to reduce waste, emissions, and inefficiencies. For example, predictive analytics can reduce inventory overruns and expiration-related losses, while smarter returns management can limit reverse logistics emissions and packaging waste.
Yet the report also reveals a gap; while many leaders are investing in sustainability efforts like green fuels (28 per cent), recycling (28 per cent) and sustainable packaging (37 per cent), fewer are adopting technology solutions that could amplify those gains. Only 22 per cent are currently using emissions tracking analytics, and just 17 per cent are leveraging connected networks for more efficient shipping.
This presents a challenge, but also a major opportunity. As macroeconomic pressures mount in a turbulent economy and regulatory expectations increase, companies that close the gap between tech investment and sustainability action will likely gain a long-term advantage.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that sustainability leaders in the report tend to express greater optimism about their overall supply chain performance. This underscores a key insight: being environmentally responsible and being commercially competitive are no longer mutually exclusive.
Instead, sustainable supply chains are proving to be more resilient to disruption, more responsive to customer expectations, and better equipped to scale efficiently.
As the report outlines, building sustainable and resilient supply chains will require:
- Greater investment in forecasting and demand planning tools,
- Increased use of AI and automation to drive precision and efficiency,
- Broader adoption of real-time visibility and emissions tracking solutions.
Supply chain leaders who act now by connecting the dots between sustainability and smart technology won’t just meet compliance mandates or appease stakeholders. They’ll lead their industries into a new era of intelligent, future-ready operations. The message is clear: if you want a greener supply chain, make it a smarter one.
Supply Chain Technological Trends 