Global Scans · Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

• [New] Industry forecasts project investment in logistics automation will exceed $100 billion globally by 2026. Automate X
• [New] In India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways projects commercial vehicle sales reaching 5 million units annually by 2030 as logistics infrastructure investment accelerates under the PM Gati Shakti national master plan. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Global infrastructure development is expected to require investments of US$ 106 trillion by 2040. GCC BUSINESS WATCH
• [New] Meta's capital spending will surpass Alphabet's in absolute terms in 2026, but unlike Alphabet, Meta's business model remains driven by advertising rather than building core infrastructure. IMD business school for management and leadership cours
• [New] Asia will require US$ 26 trillion in infrastructure investment through 2030, a significant portion of which encompasses logistics and transportation, creating a favorable operating environment for 3 PL expansion. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals is the fastest growing End-use Industry segment, expected to achieve a CAGR of approximately 11.5% during 2026-2033. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The global expansion of cold chain logistics infrastructure represents one of the most significant near-term growth opportunities for 3 PL providers. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The federal government rolled out special subsidies for polysilicon and wafer factories in 2026, offering $3 per kilogram of domestic polysilicon output, targeting a complete silicon-based upstream industrial chain by 2030. Solar Panel Production Equipment and Machinery-Lithium
• [New] Growing orbital congestion is increasing collision risks, transforming weather and Earth observation satellites into critical infrastructure that requires robust legal protection. Bird & Bird
• [New] Fastest-growing Region: Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing, driven by expanding healthcare infrastructure, rising surgical volumes, broader insurance coverage, and increasing chronic disease-related wound care demand. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Data centers are straining energy and infrastructure, with electricity demand projected to approach 10% of U.S. usage by the end of the decade. SPF 2026 Summer
• [New] Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth, supported by rapid industrialization, expanding smart manufacturing initiatives, increasing IIoT deployment, and growing investments in critical infrastructure protection across China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Pheonix Research
• [New] Europe's trajectory is toward becoming the world's largest importer of green hydrogen, driving sustained infrastructure investment and creating significant opportunity for import corridor developers. Persistence Market Research
• In 2026, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region globally with a share of nearly 29.6%, as governments and utilities are investing heavily in smart grids, digital electricity infrastructure, and smart metering projects. Persistence Market Research
• Cloud-based solutions are predicted to lead with a share of approximately 45.6% in 2026 as they allow organizations to manage utility bills from multiple locations through a single platform without investing in expensive on-site IT infrastructure. Persistence Market Research
• AI now cuts across every industry in Australia, from how organizations hire and develop talent, to how individuals build skills and plan long-term careers. Hays Australia
• The UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy is accelerating adoption of outsourced FM models to achieve energy optimization, carbon reduction, and lifecycle asset management across public and private sector infrastructure. MarkNtel Advisors
• The UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 emphasizes improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing infrastructure resilience across water production and distribution systems. MarkNtel Advisors
• The mammoth U.S. / Japan Strategic Investment Initiative, whereby Japan will invest $550bn in US industry, is especially promising. Platinum
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Starting with the AI data center currently under construction in Ulsan, SKT will build a cluster of over 2GW across the southeastern region, using it as a base to attract AI infrastructure demand from global big tech companies to Korea. Shaping Tomorrow
• MedConnect Portugal will create a sophisticated environment where European and international physicians can build strategic collaborations, exchange high-level clinical insights, and explore emerging opportunities in longevity, regenerative medicine, and innovation-driven healthcare. ISSCA
• Continued investments in connected packaging, IoT technologies, sustainable materials, AI-powered supply chain analytics, and digital packaging innovation will create substantial long-term growth opportunities as organizations increasingly modernize packaging systems and global supply chains. Pheonix Research

Last updated: 26 July 2026