Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. signed a 7-year offtake agreement for natural graphite supply with Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc., investing $25 million initially. They aim to increase EV battery production in North America using locally sourced materials. NMG will produce graphite from Quebec for anode materials. The partnership aligns with Canada&

The Biden administration has granted GlobalFoundries $1.5 billion to boost semiconductor production in the US. The company will create a new facility in Malta, NY and expand operations in New York and Vermont. This investment will create over 10,000 jobs and provide supply chain stability for industries like

OnePoll survey shows 61% of US executives considering sourcing from India if materials are comparable to China. Shift in institutional money from China to India noted in stock market investment trends. US imports from China down 24% in recent months. India Index connects global companies to Indian suppliers. Survey indicates

The U.S. Department of Defense updates the 1260H Chinese Military Company List, adding 16 entities and removing 3, citing supply chain vulnerabilities. This move underscores the importance of national security in the complex landscape of international relations. China's recent export restrictions on essential industrial metals have raised

Manufacturers are shifting production from China to Vietnam and Mexico due to geopolitical concerns. This move serves as a gateway to North America for many companies. As suppliers relocate, concerns arise about the impact on production and supply chains. Subscribers can save their log-in information for easy access to the

U.S. Representatives Finstad and Slotkin introduce HR 7062, Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act to enhance cybersecurity in food and agriculture sectors. The act mandates regular studies on threats and vulnerabilities in these sectors. Senators Rounds and Masto also introduce Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act to strengthen defenses in

The Florida Medical Examiners report for 2022 showed a small decrease in deaths caused by fentanyl, the deadliest drug threat. Over a 19-year period, deaths from fentanyl in Florida have increased over 4,000%. Law enforcement agencies in Florida are working to disrupt the global fentanyl supply chain. Increased efforts

Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Adams highlights the need to strengthen America's mineral supply chains in light of global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some progress, the U.S. still heavily relies on imports, particularly from geopolitical rivals like China. Adams warns against repeating

A recent report suggests that the Indian government should focus on enhancing regulatory stability and business conditions to attract more semiconductor investments. The report, commissioned by the US-India government initiative, evaluates India's position in the semiconductor value chain and calls for increased collaboration with the US. It highlights

Amidst the US-China trade war, supply chains are dividing into "Chinese" and "non-Chinese" factions, further deepening the divide between "democratic" and "non-democratic" camps. Taiwan, strengthening alliances with the US, Japan, South Korea, and European nations, is in a uniquely advantageous position. Taiwan&

NMG, a battery materials supplier, has partnered with Panasonic Energy to build a robust supply chain in North America. NMG's battery material plant in Quebec will produce natural graphite from its mine to create anode active materials. This will strengthen Panasonic Energy's supply chain and help

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in the global semiconductor supply chain, leading many economies to reevaluate their semiconductor industries. Canada has emerged as a major player in reshoring efforts and recently held its inaugural Semiconductor Summit to discuss growth and development strategies. The summit emphasized collaboration between government, academia,

Geopolitical factors, particularly China's export controls on graphite products, have led to the development of an anode supply chain outside of China. Recent offtake agreements and investments indicate a growing focus on building a local anode supply chain in North America, driven by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

Volkswagen is under pressure to cut ties with China due to allegations of forced labor in its supply chains. US Customs impounded VW vehicles at ports because a Chinese subcomponent was believed to violate forced labor laws. VW is seeking a replacement part. China's treatment of its Muslim

A recent study found that 97% of independent pharmacy owners and managers are dealing with a drug shortage. 87% of respondents said they are experiencing a shortage of Adderall or other generic drugs, while 96% are experiencing shortages or backorders of GLP-1 products. Two-thirds of responders are struggling to fill

A panel at NRF 2024: Retail's Big Show discussed the lessons learned from the pandemic in terms of supply chain management. The panel emphasized the importance of relationships and understanding the different components of the supply chain. They also highlighted the need for changes in the future, including

Robot sales in North America experienced a 30% decline in 2023 after two years of record orders, according to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). In total, 31,159 robots were purchased in 2023, compared to 44,196 in 2022 and 39,708 in 2021. Automotive and non-automotive companies each

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm expressed concern over China's dominance in the global critical minerals supply chain. She stated that the U.S. is updating its laws to ensure sustainable extraction of critical minerals and is seeking partnerships with countries like Australia and Canada. Granholm emphasized the

Solar recycling company SOLARCYCLE has partnered with solar panel maker Qcells to open the US's first plant that manufactures new solar glass out of recycled materials. The $344 million factory, located in Cedartown, Georgia, will have a capacity to produce 5 to 6 gigawatts of solar glass annually

A Mexican trucking association launched a strike, adding to cross-border shipping uncertainty. The ONE alliance, along with Yang Ming and HMM, faces the loss of Hapag-Lloyd as a partner. The first shipments of hay were loaded into Evergreen containers and moved by Union Pacific to Tacoma for shipment to China.

Toronto-based Nulogy has received a major investment from Rubicon Technology Partners to expand its supply chain collaboration platform. The size of the investment has not been disclosed, but Rubicon typically invests between $50 million and $350 million per company. Nulogy plans to use the funding to grow its network of

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and HHS are launching an inquiry into the role of middlemen in the pharmaceutical supply chain and the impact on generic drug shortages. The request for information seeks to understand how group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and drug wholesalers influence the pricing and availability of pharmaceutical

The reliance on China in the US defense supply chain poses a threat to national security. China's control over the supply chains for military munitions and platforms hinders the ability to deter adversaries in the Indo-Pacific region. The dependence on Chinese companies and materials is a vulnerability that

Battery maker EnerSys plans to build a 500,000-square-foot lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility in Greenville, South Carolina, in response to the growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage. The move aligns with the Biden administration's push for a domestic battery supply chain and is supported by incentives

US consumer spending and retail sales remain strong, while inflation is under control. Container leasing rates on the China-US trade route have risen by 223% since November 2023. The global shipping industry has experienced a surge in rates due to the Red Sea crisis. Despite economic concerns, China is seeing