This quarter, the Supply Chain Program Committee (SCPC) has continued to focus on preparing our industry for tomorrow’s challenges. From digitalization and intermodal transport to cross-sector collaboration, our work emphasizes practical, actionable insights to help members build resilient, adaptive, and future-ready supply chains.
At the upcoming 59th EPCA Annual Meeting, we will showcase the latest committee initiatives and share expertise from across industry and academia.
Keep up to date with our activities via the SCPC’s dedicated webpage: epca.eu/topic-supply-chain.
SCPC at the EPCA Annual Meeting
Join us on Wednesday 24 September for the SCPC session, 'Tomorrow’s Advantage: Practical Insights for Future-Proofing Supply Chains'. The session will draw on the work of the SCPC subcommittees, and explore how practical experience and shared knowledge can enhance cross-sector collaboration, create more adaptive, data-driven supply chains, and develop strategies to secure future operations.
Why should you attend: Geopolitical volatility, shifting trade flows, and strategic pressures demand resilience, agility, and competitiveness. This session’s lightning-talk format offers practical, real-world insights to help you redesign supply networks for tomorrow’s challenges.
For more information on the programme, visit the EPCA59 official website.
Digitalization
The Digitalization Subgroup is currently mapping out the sector's key priorities for accelerating the digital transformation. Initial findings suggest that most organizations are in the early stages of digital maturity and face common challenges, including data harmonization, limited resources, and siloed operations. Over the next months, these findings will be compiled and streamlined into tailored recommendations and best practices.
Have your Say! Developed by Vlerick Business School, the Digital Maturity Scan builds on EPCA’s 2018 collaboration. It assesses your organization’s digital maturity and sustainability performance in terms of people, planet, and profit.
- Results will be compared with prior EPCA benchmarks
- Aggregated insights will be presented anonymously during the session
- Participants receive a personalized digital maturity report (value: €3,300)
Intermodal Transportation Network (ITN)
Next Up: 19 November Workshop in Düsseldorf
Following the success of the February session in Brussels, the ITN is preparing for its next in-person workshop, which will take place on 19 November 2025 in Düsseldorf. The aim of the workshop is to equip EPCA members with the tools to demonstrate how to provide a quantified case for the intermodal shift, and to define the required stakeholder narrative to bring that pitch to stakeholders.
In case you missed it, find more about our June webinar where we explored the potential of barging and short-sea shipping in supporting more sustainable and efficient petrochemical supply chains. The slides are available HERE.
To make sure you do not miss the latest ITN news, sign up to our mailing list HERE.
Adaptability
The Adaptability subgroup has focused this quarter on two themes: circularity and the pivot towards an import market. Early discussions with shippers underline the complexity of circularity, with many companies still in the early stages of planning, but it is clear that rethinking supply chains will be essential. On imports, analysis of recent market trends shows that plant closures in Europe are creating greater reliance on imported volumes, particularly in certain value chains. While Europe remains a net exporter overall, imports have been rising more quickly in recent months.
Keep an eye out for next steps, as the subgroup is looking to engage the wider EPCA community for input. More news will be posted on the group’s page HERE.
The SCPC is currently composed of 22 members representing petrochemical producers, LSPs, distributors, digital companies and peer sectorial associations - and is coordinated by Lydia Pernal-Stoddart and Elena Pisani
✋ Interested to know more? Drop us an email: scpc.committee@epca.eu