How Quantum-Level Technology Strengthens Global Supply Chains

We’ve highlighted previously some of the effective methods for fixing supply chain insecurity. And specifically, quantum-level technology is strengthening these safeguards against counterfeiting, at a global scale.

Here’s how international supply chains can reduce their risk and vulnerability by applying cutting-edge security innovations.

How big is the supply chain issue?

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), counterfeit goods accounted for $467bn in global trade in 2021. This represented around 2.3% of all commerce – and the numbers are only likely to have increased in the years since.

A recently released white paper from the World Economic Forum (WEF) cites a 38% rise in global supply chain disruption in 2024 alone. Increased trade between international economies has created new opportunities, not only for innovation and economic growth – but also crime.

As the supply chains involved often span international territories – even continents – there are multiple points where criminals can exploit weaknesses. And the more different routes, parties and countries are involved, the harder it is to protect against these threats.

How can quantum technology help?

Quantum technologies enable new capabilities, providing authentication and threat detection layers unreachable by traditional techniques. These innovations are being applied to add resilience throughout global supply chains.

As the above cited WEF report (published October 2025) states, when addressing whether quantum technologies can create value:

‘…recent progress in hardware, algorithms and use case development has shifted the conversation from “if” to “when and where”’.

For supply chains specifically, quantum advances are already helping improve security in areas including:

  • Transport and route optimisation
  • Warehouse operations
  • Quality assurance
  • Data exchange

Research commissioned by IBM suggests quantum technologies may boost UK productivity alone by as much as 8.3 percent by 2055. And with initial gains likely to be seen within the next decade, global supply chains need to be investigating possible advantages now.

What is Q-ID® and how does it strengthen supply chains?

Q-ID® is a secure ‘fingerprint’, verifiable via most smartphones but offering far more protection than QR code technology. Each one comprises billions of randomly arranged atoms, in a sequence impossible to copy or fake.

These are typically added to products before storage or distribution stages, using printing processes integrated into manufacturing. This means that, despite their complexity at an atomic scale, they’re extremely simple to integrate into existing processes and supply chains.

And they’re also easily verified by consumers, building trust between links in the supply chain and end users.

Time to trust in quantum tech?

As supply chains evolve to become more resilient by adopting quantum technologies, those left behind will be the most vulnerable. Counterfeiters will continue to target networks where lower standards of security can be more easily exploited for commercial gain.

If you’d like to find out how higher levels of security and strength translate into greater trust and value, please contact us.