THE SUPPLY CHAIN INTERVIEW
Changing with the trends As supply chains around the world recognise the risk of purely focusing on efficiency, operations and priorities are changing. Ongoing volatility shows no sign of stopping, which means organisations need to prepare for turbulence.
Now, leading businesses are seeing unlocked value through a stronger push of transparency and resilience. Supply chains which are agile enough to move with changing demands are seeing the benefits.
With this, the role of technology is changing. It is becoming both a disruptor to supply chains and a vital tool to developing that flexibility needed. Sustainability is also becoming a more integrated focus, with companies seeing long-term value arise from these strategies. Ilham says:“ Digitalisation is accelerating, with data, automation and AI playing a bigger role in planning, sourcing and fulfillment decisions.”
For Ilham, however, the focus is not on the tools, but the impact. She adds:“ The one key question we must focus on is: where do we dare to transform how we operate and maximise workflow automation, agentic AI, semi-autonomous processes versus where we must retain full control of the final decision.”
Ilham’ s focus is on the future of Essity – how it will use its new operating model and where it will scale up its key programmes. As part of this, Essity will be embracing AI throughout its procurement operations, and will be working towards its sustainability agenda. The company is targeting a 35 % emissions reduction across Scope 1, 2 and 3 by 2030. As a further part of its growth, Essity will be accelerating operations in its newly established fulfilment organisation.
With plans to expand its partnerships and engage in a wider ecosystem, Ilham will not tell us everything about the future of Essity. She does, however, affirm“ we will be bold and deliberate in our choices”.
28 August 2026