Looking Forward to Technology-Enabled Opportunities for Oleochemicals

As we’ve stepped into 2026, I am enthusiastic about the opportunities that advancing emerging technology is creating for our sector. Digital tools and Artificial Intelligence, once reserved for those in Silicon Valley, are now accessible from farm to factory, reshaping how we operate across the end-to-end supply chain.

Currently there’s a growing debate about whether we’ve hit the “singularity” - the point where technology evolves faster than we can keep pace. The fact this conversation is even happening, tells us something: we’re in a new era. Many of our long-held playbooks will need to evolve. I see this moment not as a disruption, but as a technology enabled opportunity to respond faster and smarter than ever.

Our industry is undergoing significant evolution. Last year, the traditionally predictable seasonal patterns of lauric oils did not materialise, leading to unexpected volatility. Predictive digital and AI tools can help us navigate these uncharted waters. They strengthen our forecasting, enable faster real-time responsiveness and help us surface insights that build both resilience and competitiveness across the value chain.

Consumers and customers are becoming increasingly tech-savvy. Accessibility to digital and AI tools is rapidly expanding, and it’s easy to imagine a near future where “self-audited” product choices become the norm. I’m convinced this will include assessing responsible sourcing of materials, the use of renewable products (bio-based vs fossil-based) and a deeper understanding of carbon footprints. It’s why I’m confident that our low-carbon, bio-based portfolio puts us – and our customers – in a strong position as expectations evolve.

Our sector has traditionally relied on established trade flows, but unpredictable weather patterns and geopolitical pressures now make agility paramount. We must evolve how we think about logistics, planning and supply chain responsiveness. That means diversifying sourcing approaches, leveraging AI-enabled predictive models and using digital tools that allow us to reimagine how we respond to disruption. Throughout this journey, our north star remains unchanged: delivering great customer service through expertise, reliability and consistency, building confidence and trust at every step.

Looking back on my career, I’ve seen a seismic shift (yes, I remember the fax and the shared desktop computer). I’ve seen things move far and fast and that pace continues to accelerate. My mantra to my team is to embrace the new, learn from others and continuously upskill. If we truly are reaching the singularity, that mindset will matter more than ever. Ensuring my team is digitally fluent is key to simplifying and speeding up ongoing tasks while maintaining precision. With these tools, they can make better informed decisions and focus their attention on sustainable business growth and outstanding customer service.

Regardless of whether we have reached the singularity or not, one thing is certain: change continues to accelerate. Our success will depend on how effectively we embrace and respond to change. What does this mean for our industry? We must continuously calibrate our approach to supply chains, predictive modelling, pricing models and investing in talent capability. P&G Chemicals is ready – not just to navigate what’s ahead – but to help shape and lead it. The future is bright, and I’m excited to think of what today and tomorrow will bring.

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