Quantum Technologies Key Opportunities for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains 2025

Roadmap for quantum integration in manufacturing and supply chain FIGURE 8 Establish quantum technology assessment teams to evaluate relevant use cases Priority applications include supply chain optimization, production scheduling, quality control enhancement and cybersecurity strengthening Strategic partnerships with technology providers for capability development without requiring deep in-house expertisePilot projects in high-impact areas while building internal capabilities Develop metrics to measure return on investment (ROI) Partner with universities to develop a quantum-skilled workforce Plan seamless integration with existing infrastructure Ensure interoperability with supplier quantum implementationsPosition organizations as quantum-native by embedding quantum capabilities into competitive strategies and redefining industry standards Drive a cultural shift to embrace quantum technologies while cultivating a workforce skilled in quantum applications Establish strategic partnerships that go beyond traditional manufacturing boundaries to create a future-ready ecosystemTitle 1Immediate actions Medium-term strategy Long-term vision A holistic approach combining policy, standards, strategy and talent is essential to enable quantum innovation across global supply chains. The journey towards quantum adoption cannot be undertaken by industry leaders alone. Ecosystem partners, including policy-makers, regulators, technology developers and research institutions, must work together to create enabling conditions for responsible and scalable adoption. This chapter explores the key regulatory, security and policy- related imperatives that manufacturing and supply chains businesses must deal with when adopting quantum technologies, and how these can be addressed through multistakeholder collaboration and collective action. 1 Collaborate on standardizations and interoperability frameworks One of the most pressing policy and regulatory challenges in the adoption of quantum technologies is the absence of universally accepted international standards.33 This lack of standardization creates uncertainty, complicates compliance efforts, hinders interoperability across systems and makes vendor selection more complex and risk-prone. To mitigate these risks and future-proof investments, industrial consortia should actively participate in standard-setting bodies and pilot interoperability frameworks that can guide the responsible and scalable integration of quantum technologies. For instance, Quantum Technology & Application Consortium (QUTAC), a German consortium, is working to build early standards by fostering cross- industry collaboration, piloting real-world use cases, developing reference architectures and contributing to international standardization efforts.34 Many quantum solution providers, often early-stage start-ups, lack the industrial-grade compliance infrastructure required to meet enterprise and regulatory standards. Certification frameworks modelled after established standards, such as those from the International Standards Organization (ISO) or the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), would help validate vendor readiness, build trust, and streamline procurement and integration processes across the quantum sector.35 2 Ensure security and cryptographic readiness Recent research suggests that cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) capable of breaking current asymmetric key encryption standards like Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) could emerge within five to 10 years. Symmetric key encryption protocols, such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), on the other hand, remain more resilient but require larger key sizes to maintain security. 3.2 Enabling quantum innovation through policy, standards and organizational readiness 2345678910 Ecosystem partners, including policy-makers, regulators, technology developers and research institutions, must work together to create enabling conditions for responsible and scalable adoption. Quantum Technologies: Key Opportunities for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains 22