Manufacturing logistics and procurement – March 2025

Developments in logistics
According to ING (in Dutch), the Dutch transport and logistics sector shows a moderate growth again; 1.5% in 2025. The domestic transport market is in better shape with return of growth from construction and increasing demand for consumer goods. Also, industry is no longer a restraining factor and expected large defence investments will provide more transport on the way to 2026.

Automation in packaging processing
According to a white paper by PMMI, the maximum efficiency in packaging and processing operations increasingly depends on digital connectivity and data utilisation. Capturing real-time data offers many benefits. You can download the paper after filling in your details.
A Packaging World survey on CPG automation and robotics, reveals that reducing labour costs, increasing speed and throughput, and enhancing worker safety are top motivators. You can download the report after filling in your details.

Developments in robotics
A study (1.93 MB) by MIT researchers introduces a new approach that enables a drone to self-localise, or determine its position in indoor, dark, and low-visibility environments. Self-localisation is a key step in autonomous navigation. The researchers developed a system called MiFly, in which a drone uses radio frequency (RF) waves, reflected by a single tag placed in its environment, to autonomously self-localise.
Microsoft researchers have developed Magma, a multimodal AI foundation model designed to process information and generate action proposals across both digital and physical environments. It enables AI agents to interpret user interfaces and suggest actions like button clicks, while also orchestrating robotic movements and interactions in the physical world.
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has announced the publication of the revised ISO 10218, the global flagship standard for industrial robot safety. In its first major revision since 2011, these new documents ensure the safety of robotics in an industrial environment.

Strategic decisions of implementation AI
VDMA has published a strategy paper (4.25 MB) with the goal of leveraging robotics and automation for a resilient and competitive Europe. This paper explores how robotics and automation can play a pivotal role in overcoming demographic challenges, enabling economic growth, sustainability, and global leadership.
A report (9.22 MB) by JRC confirms Europe’s leadership in scientific research on emerging innovations such as AI, digital twins, and biotechnology. However, challenges remain, and strategic investment is needed for Europe to maintain its competitive edge. Another JRC report (3.72 MB) identifies a selection of new and emerging transport technologies, based primarily on the Transport Research and Innovation Monitoring and Information System (TRIMIS) database. The presented technologies are divided into cross-cutting digital technologies, such as AI, and transport-specific ones, with a narrower and more specific transport scope.
 

NVC members receive this information with all the relevant links in the monthly NVC Members-only Update. If you have any questions, please contact us: info@nvc.nl, +31-(0)182-512411