Our Scans · (LF.12) Responsible Consumption and Production · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

• [New] Sulfur supply restrictions will have major implications for both sulfuric acid - used extensively in metals refining and microchip production - and fertiliser production (which accounts for about 60% of global sulfur demand). Chemistry World
• [New] Experts in the field of supply chain management emphasize that the trend of bringing production closer to markets does not necessarily mean that global supply chains will disappear. BizInsider: Business | AI | Franchise | Strategy | OE |
• [New] Cooling systems for the dense compute loads that characterize AI workloads consume millions of gallons per year at a single site, and total data center water consumption is projected to rise by approximately 170% by 2030. Verdict
• [New] Recent geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and supply chain disruptions have accelerated efforts to diversify production, another key dimension of textile industry trends 2026. TLD apparel
• [New] On the topic of precious metals, Southern Palladium is targeting first concentrate production from its Bengwenyama project in 2028. FlippingBook
• [New] Asia-Pacific will remain the undisputed production and consumption hub, driven by China's massive automotive and electronics manufacturing base. IndexBox Inc.
• [New] Global fiber production could reach around 169 million tonnes by 2030, significantly increasing environmental pressure if traditional production models remain unchanged. TLD apparel
• [New] Expanding Chinese production will necessarily involve genetic improvement. valorinternational
• [New] By the year, the projected potato production would be expected to be 237,225.00 thousand tonnes in Asia, 10,063.83 thousand tonnes in Central Asia, 114,196.00 thousand tonnes in Eastern Asia, 104,650.00 thousand tonnes in South Asia and 11,464.40 thousand tonnes in Western Asia. SpringerLink
• [New] The Eastern Cape plays a critical role in advancing small-scale agriculture in South Africa, with potato production offering significant potential to improve both food security and household income. AgriOrbit
• [New] Neuralink will begin high-volume production of its Brain-Computer Interface in 2026 - with nearly fully automated surgery.
• [New] Driven by household consumption, activity is expected to rebound in 2026, and Mexican growth could reach its potential. economic-research.bnpparibas.com
• [New] Asia-Pacific is expected to register notable growth during the forecast period, driven by expanding livestock production, rising pet ownership, increasing awareness of animal health management, and improving veterinary healthcare services across developing economies. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] South America's production is already made, so now might be a time to protect against a downside decline. DTN Progressive Farmer
• [New] Tesla has indicated that Cybercab production could begin as soon as April, though Elon Musk has noted that early production will likely be slow before ramping over time. TESLARATI
• [New] 91% of reporting entities were not aware of forced or child labour in their supply chain, despite the position of Public Safety Canada being no sectors or industries involving the production or importation of goods are assumed to be entirely free of forced or child labour risks. Baker McKenzie
• [New] Analysts expect total U.S. beef production to drop another 2% by the end of 2026. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] The companies that act decisively now - diversifying their inputs, reinforcing partnerships, rethinking production footprints, and deploying advanced monitoring tools - will be best positioned to keep shelves stocked and consumers supplied, no matter how uncertain the global landscape becomes. FoodNavigator.com
• [New] The concentration of panel production capacity in Asia means that any regional disruption immediately impacts European inventory levels and lead times. Market Data Forecast
• [New] With $650 million in fresh funding, FDA breakthrough status for speech restoration, and a target of 20,000 annual implants by 2031, Neuralink is moving from lab to mass production.
• Cultured meat represents a transformative innovation with the potential to reshape global protein production, but its success depends on interdisciplinary strategies that balance sustainability, safety, ethics, and public trust. PubMed Central (PMC)
• Production systems will expand beyond automation alone to include human-centric, adaptable, and resilient production systems. Design News
• In 2026, rather than operating at the margins of manufacturing, additive manufacturing will increasingly become part of how production lines are designed, optimized, and scaled. Design News

Last updated: 16 March 2026