The supply chains supporting quantum technologies are deeply global, with companies of every size relying on suppliers and customers across national borders.
This is according to a survey conducted in March and April 2026. It included responses from 160 companies headquartered in 15 countries that reported suppliers in 36 countries, customers in 49 countries, and manufacturing locations in 25 countries.
Quantum companies represented include those in the United States, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, and India.
The research effort brought together the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC), Quantum Industry Canada (QIC), UK Quantum, Japan’s Quantum Strategic Industry Alliance for Revolution (Q-STAR), and Korea Quantum Industry Association (KQIA) with engagement across India’s quantum ecosystem.
Findings show that 90% of respondents reported at least one foreign supplier and 74% reported at least one foreign customer.
Respondents reported a median of three supplier countries and three customer countries.
Component suppliers reported selling into more countries than quantum systems developers.
Companies of every size, including those with fewer than 10 employees, reported buying from suppliers and selling to customers in multiple countries.
The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan were the five locations most frequently named for both suppliers and customers.
“Quantum innovation does not stop at national borders, and neither do the supply chains that make it possible,” said Celia Merzbacher, executive director of QED-C.
“As the industry scales, the report gives leaders and policymakers a clearer view of how deeply connected our ecosystem already is,” said Merzbacher. “With its recently expanded membership and new charter, ICQIA can use this shared evidence to strengthen international coordination, safeguard critical technologies and preserve trusted access to the necessary suppliers, customers and markets.”
Jonathan Legh‑Smith, executive director of UKQuantum, said that quantum is inherently international across markets, standards, research, talent, capital and supply chains.
“The report highlights this global interconnection and emphasises the need for practical cooperation between quantum nations, as set out in the inter‑governmental Quantum Development Group’s April 2026 communique,” said Legh-Smith.
Brad Kim, vice chairman of the Korea Quantum Industry Association (KQIA), said that quantum commercialization requires more than access to technology—it requires access to global markets.
“This study shows that the strength of the quantum industry will depend not only on national capability, but on how effectively those capabilities connect across borders,” said Abhishek Purohit, director of Technology Strategy at QURECA.
The report’s findings highlight the importance of policies that preserve access to markets and preferred suppliers in like-minded countries while protecting critical technologies.
The data provides policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders with a clearer picture of the international relationships that support innovation and growth across the quantum sector.
