What does it take to secure raw materials when risk has become permanent?
Raw material prices, geopolitical exposure, and energy market volatility are no longer occasional disruptions. They are permanent conditions procurement has to plan for, and most companies expect the pressure to intensify.
The Raw Materials Study 2026 draws on 354 senior decision-makers across Europe and the Asia/Pacific region, spanning process industry, automotive, and food & beverages, among other industries.It examines how companies are responding, from sourcing and pricing to their progress on digitalization and AI. Most see the risks clearly, yet still decide largely on cost, and the survey data shows where that leaves them exposed.
Key Findings
- Price expectations have reached their highest point in years. The vast majority of companies expect raw material prices to climb further over the next 12 months, the highest level the study has recorded since 2020.
- Companies see the risk, yet still buy on price. 91% feel the impact of geopolitical developments on supply, but most still prioritize price over supply resilience, leaving them exposed to the next disruption.
- AI is everywhere in theory, almost nowhere at scale. Nearly every company reports an AI use case, yet only a small fraction have scaled the use of AI across procurement, leaving significant value untapped.
- Sourcing is shifting, but the strategy behind it varies widely. Companies are expanding cooperations, dual sourcing, and nearshoring, and how far each has moved separates those building resilience by design from those reacting to events.
Acknolwedgement
Special thanks to Oliver Reitz and Lena Brandt for their valuable contribution to the analysis of the study.
The study points procurement leaders to a clear set of recommendations, spanning sourcing, pricing, resilience, and the path to scaling AI.
The full findings and recommendations are available in the complete report.
See the full picture, including the raw material and AI deep-dives that show where companies are most exposed. Download the full study results for free:
Download Study Results
Fill out the contact form below to receive the complete study by email.
Our Raw Materials Experts
Lars-Peter Häfele
Managing Director
Justus Brinkmann
Principal
Further Insights
