Rethinking supply chains: Distributors in a world of disruption
Stan Bijsterveld, global supply chain director at IMCD, shares how distributors are turning volatility into value in the chemical supply chain
Supply chains in the fine and speciality chemicals and ingredients sector are under more pressure than ever before. Whether it is the fragility exposed by global disruptions, rising protectionism, climaterelated volatility or intensifying ESG scrutiny, these challenges are driving companies to strengthen and modernise their supply chain strategies.
Customer expectations are shifting rapidly; they want speed, transparency, resilience and sustainability, all at once. Meanwhile, compliance demands are growing, with global regulatory divergence and local enforcement creating an increasingly complex operating environment.
In short, the chemical industry’ s supply chains are evolving in response to a changing global landscape. While systems that once operated with stability are facing new pressures, this shift is opening the door to innovation and improvement.
Distribution, once seen as a purely transactional function, is increasingly being recognised as a strategic enabler of resilience and growth. This is not a crisis; it is an opportunity to move forward with greater agility and purpose.
JUL / AUG 2025 SPECCHEMONLINE. COM
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