Global Scans · Manufacturing · Weekly Summary

• [New] Economic value will increasingly flow through all levels of the global AI supply chain, driving historic opportunity and demand for energy, critical minerals, semiconductors, manufacturing, technological hardware, infrastructure, and new markets not yet invented. United States Department of State
• [New] A landmark clean-energy project advances at the Kruger Kamloops Pulp Mill, where an Indigenous-led partnership plans to build one of British Columbia's first industrial-scale green hydrogen plants. Paper Advance
• [New] As one of the most disruptive QA Trends in 2025, hyperautomation brings a strategic intersection of AI, machine learning, robotic process automation, and low-code capabilities to rethink quality assurance at scale. Qualityze
• [New] When asked about the main potential opportunities for the future of sustainable packaging, more than nine out of ten said innovation in materials was likely to be the biggest opportunity in the years to 2050, followed by dynamic recycling infrastructures and advances in AI and digital technologies. WhatTheyThink
• [New] Japan will be pushed to align its defence-industrial standards more closely with the US to enable seamless joint production, sustainment, and long-term defence industrial and technology cooperation with the US, particularly in semiconductors and critical minerals. OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION ( ORF )
• [New] Intel's anticipated 18 A process node is positioned as a critical milestone in its pursuit of semiconductor leadership, with the potential to redefine competitive dynamics in advanced manufacturing. PandaForecast.com
• [New] SAF production in 2025 is expected to reach 1.9 million tonnes (2.4 billion liters), doubling from the 1 million tonnes produced in 2024. Biofuels International
• [New] Continued investment in research, bio based material development, and energy efficient production technologies will ensure that polyurethane dispersions remain a cornerstone of sustainable manufacturing in the coming decade. openpr
• [New] As environmental regulations continue to tighten worldwide, the demand for low VOC, non toxic, and energy efficient materials will intensify across all regions. openpr
• [New] Confidence has risen for the third month in a row, and manufacturing CEOs say they are optimistic for what is to come in 2026. / USA ChiefExecutive.net
• [New] World production is projected at 837.81 million metric tons, up from the prior forecast for 828.89 million tons. Successful Farming
• [New] The global production of 460 million tonnes of plastic annually, with 20 million leaking into the environment, is expected to grow sharply by 2040, causing climate change and loss of biodiversity, and ecosystems. ET Edge Insights
• [New] Markets for industrial IoT and IoT in manufacturing are forecast to grow at double-digit CAGR through the next decade, reflecting the rapid deployment of connected sensors, edge devices, and intelligent control systems. Dynamic Source Manufacturing (DSM)
• [New] U.S. spending comprises $10.5 billion overall, targeting production exceeding two million barrels of oil equivalent per day through high-return opportunities and efficiency gains. GeopoliticsUnplugged Substack
• Tesla's Optimus robot initiative appears to be a significant long-term growth opportunity. PandaForecast.com
• Expected commercially around 2028, 6G will deliver immersive, cloud-based AI-enabled communications across smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and industrial IoT systems. aipix.ai
• The number of IoT devices worldwide is forecast to almost double from 15.9 billion in 2023 to more than 32.1 billion IoT devices in 2030, and 5G will play a key role in enabling them. Kaa IoT platform
• Robots - both humanoid and other form factors - are likely to be one of the key innovations that will serve as the backbone of both economic and military might over the next century. Forbes
• Investments in advanced manufacturing technologies, such as automation and additive manufacturing, could gain traction as companies seek to reduce reliance on complex global logistics. The Chronicle-Journal
• Companies like General Motors or Tesla could see continued pressure on their production lines due to component shortages. The Chronicle-Journal

Last updated: 14 December 2025