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Four in ten believe that most raw materials come from high-risk countries
June 23, 2026 While the availability of raw materials from abroad is under significant and growing pressure, there is little sense of urgency in the Dutch business community. Raw material scarcity is on the executive agenda at only 6 percent of organizations. This is according to a survey by waste and raw materials manager Milgro among more than 300 decision-makers and influencers in the fields of procurement, facilities, management, the environment, and sustainability. The low management priority that organizations assign to raw materials stands in stark contrast to their dependence on raw materials from abroad. Forty-two percent of decision-makers state that the majority of raw materials in their organization come from high-risk countries.
Effects Are Being Felt
The effects of raw material scarcity are already being felt in most organizations. For example, 43 percent of decision-makers are feeling the impact of rising procurement prices in their budgets, and more than a third (35%) are dealing with longer delivery times. If you ask decision-makers, this is likely to remain the reality for some time. Three in ten (28%) expect raw material shortages to become the biggest cost factor for their organization in the coming years.
Urgency on Paper
Strikingly, this sense of urgency does not yet seem to be translating into concrete action within the organizations themselves. Although the vast majority (71%) are concerned that the Netherlands and Europe are so dependent on other countries for the supply of raw materials, 28 percent do not (yet) view raw material scarcity as a concrete risk to their own organization. And even among organizations that are already taking measures regarding raw material scarcity, these efforts often remain isolated actions. For example, one-quarter (24%) have taken concrete measures, primarily to gain better insight through reporting. Twenty-three percent are currently exploring possible next steps, and nearly one in five (19%) have not yet determined any follow-up actions at all.
Gijs Derks, director of Milgro: “For an issue that has such a major impact on business continuity, security of supply, and an organization’s independence, it is shocking how little administrative priority is given to raw material scarcity. Of course, not every company or sector is equally dependent on scarce raw materials, but make sure you know to what extent this applies to your organization. The pressure on raw materials is only increasing. If you want to ensure the continuity of your business, you really need to start thinking about alternative ways to source raw materials. And that starts with putting the issue on the management agenda in the first place.”
About the Study
This study was conducted by Markteffect in March 2026 on behalf of Milgro. A total of 311 Dutch decision-makers and influencers in the fields of procurement, facilities management, the environment, or sustainability participated.
About Milgro
Milgro strives for a world free of waste by 2040. With over 110 employees, Milgro connects companies that generate waste with organizations that process waste or reuse raw materials. Through a data-driven and user-friendly dashboard, companies gain full control over their waste management. From operational processing to reporting such as the CSRD: everything is managed in a single control tool. Together with a large network, Milgro is building a circular future in which raw materials never become waste again.
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