Logistics and Supply Chain Updates: September 15 through September 18, 2025
In the ever-evolving world of global supply chains, several notable changes are taking place.
ExxonMobil has voiced its concerns over the draft EU regulations, stating that these favour standalone recycling facilities over integrated petrochemical sites. This stance has led to a pause in €100 million worth of planned investments for plastic recycling projects in Europe, as the company shares concerns with industry peers like Neste, that the regulation could hinder progress towards EU recycling targets, such as achieving 30% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2030.
Meanwhile, in the retail sector, Target is making strides in its supply chain transformation. The company is expanding its next-day delivery service to the top 35 U.S. metro areas by the end of October 2025, with plans to reach over 20 more cities in 2026. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to meet rising consumer demand for fast shipping while optimising fulfilment operations. Target has also extended order cutoff times and concentrated shipping volume in select stores to reduce costs and improve delivery speeds.
The retail giant's next-day delivery expansion comes amidst a pilot in Chicago that showed promising results, including faster shipping and increased sales in key categories. The company is scaling this model nationwide, adjusting store roles to balance fulfilment efficiency with in-store customer experience.
Port delays increased only modestly in August 2025, suggesting resilience in infrastructure. However, China's antitrust review of Nvidia's 2020 acquisition of Mellanox Technologies adds uncertainty to hardware imports and complicates logistics planning. This uncertainty, coupled with China's declining share of U.S. imports in August 2025, while growth from countries such as Vietnam, India, and Thailand highlights a diversification trend toward Southeast Asia.
As the complexities of modern supply chains grow, supply chain leaders are turning to AI-driven platforms and integrated technologies to enable seamless communication, optimise resources, and manage risks across interconnected partners. Outdated tools like EDI and siloed software are no longer sufficient to support the complexity of modern supply chains.
Multi-enterprise network collaboration fosters agility, resilience, and competitiveness by allowing businesses to share information, streamline operations, and make joint decisions across tiers. This approach is evident in the replacement of traditional linear supply chains with dynamic, multi-enterprise networks that demand real-time collaboration and data sharing.
ExxonMobil has also criticised the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive for being overly burdensome and costly for global supply chains. The proposed EU rules calculate recycled content based on input and output mass, which Exxon argues penalises complex facilities like its Rotterdam and Antwerp plants.
In conclusion, the global supply chain landscape is undergoing significant changes, with companies adapting to new regulations, technologies, and consumer demands. The shift towards dynamic, multi-enterprise networks and the increased use of AI-driven platforms are key trends that are likely to continue shaping the future of global supply chains.
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