CASE STUDY/ CRICKET AUSTRALIA
How FRDM.ai Maps
The Supply Chain
Of A Cricket Ball
The Supply Chain
Of A Cricket Ball
Objective
Cricket Australia partnered with FRDM.ai to monitor its supply chain for human rights risk and analyze one of its most iconic purchases:
the cricket ball
With approximately 10,000 balls purchased annually, this single product offers a clear window into the complex, global supply chains that underpin Australian sport and the hidden human rights risks within them.
PRODUCT GENOMICS
Looking Inside a Cricket Ball
A cricket ball appears simple, but its production crosses continents and industries. FRDM’s Product Genome technology traces the raw materials and processing steps that make up each ball:
FRDM mapped materials trading across 8 tier in Cricket Australia’s supply chain. Our analysis revealed human rights risks in unexpected places — from chemical processing for rubber compounds to cotton fibers in leather backing materials.
PRODUCT GENOMICS IN ACTIONCRITICAL FINDING
High-Risk Materials in Every Cricket Ball
FRDM AI’s supply chain mapping revealed cricket balls contain multiple materials flagged in several International Labor Product Watchlists for forced labor risks:
Component
FLAGGED MATERIALS
Where risk occurs
Leather Cover
Cotton fibers, Chromium, Sulfuric acid, Ammonia
Tanning facilities, textile mills
Rubber Core
Natural rubber, synthetic rubber compounds
Processing facilities in Southeast Asia
Ball Finish
Sulfuric acid, Cellulose
Chemical treatment facilities
Thread/ Stitching
Cotton yarn
Spinning mills, textile facilities
FRDM mapped materials trading across 8 tier in Cricket Australia’s supply chain. Our analysis revealed human rights risks in unexpected places — from chemical processing for rubber compounds to cotton fibers in leather backing materials.
MATERIAL RISK DEEP DIVE:
Leather
Leather represents the highest-risk component in cricket balls. The tanning industry across major production countries presents severe challenges:
Chemical exposure: Workers face chromium levels up to 1,800 times WHO safety standards
Child labor: Studies documented extensive child labor across informal leather processing
Environmental impact: 40 million liters of untreated wastewater enter waterways daily from tanning operations
Cricket Australia discovered that even balls from established manufacturers connect to these high-risk tanning regions through their leather supply chains.
Rubber
Forced Labor: Multiple major rubber suppliers flagged for forced labor violations. Documented cases of migrant worker exploitation, passport confiscation, debt bondage. COVID-19 intensified violations with workers facing mandatory overtime without days off
Cotton
Forced Labor: 23% of global cotton originates from regions with documented state-imposed forced labor
Environmental impact: One in five cotton products risks forced labor contamination
Traceability challenge: Blending at spinning facilities makes origin tracking nearly impossible
Why ThisMatters forAustralian Cricket
Australia’s Modern Slavery Act requires organizations to identify and address risks in their supply chains.
For cricket balls specifically:
International monitoring bodies have documented these risks for over 25 years
Geographic concentration in high-risk regions makes violations probable, not just possible
The same facilities producing cricket balls often manufacture other sports equipment with documented violations
Complex multi-tier supply chains prevent effective monitoring without dedicated intervention
The Scale Of Impact
A cricket ball appears simple, but its production crosses continents and industries. FRDM’s Product Genome technology traces the raw materials and processing steps that make up each ball:
10,000 balls
=
Thousands of workers affected
=
Thousands of workers affected
Each cricket ball’s journey from raw materials to finished product involves:
Chemical workers in tanneries handling chromium and acids.Textile workers processing cotton for thread and backing.Hand-stitchers working 8+ hour shifts for below-subsistence wages.Children in informal workshops missing education for pennies per day
Chemical workers in tanneries handling chromium and acids.Textile workers processing cotton for thread and backing.Hand-stitchers working 8+ hour shifts for below-subsistence wages.Children in informal workshops missing education for pennies per day
The cricket ball industry generates USD $220-336 million annually, yet workers producing these goods struggle to meet basic needs.
PRODUCT GENOMICS IN ACTION
From Risk Identification to
Action
Through this analysis, Cricket Australia can now:
International monitoring bodies have documented these risks for over 25 years
Geographic concentration in high-risk regions makes violations probable, not just possible
The same facilities producing cricket balls often manufacture other sports equipment with documented violations
Complex multi-tier supply chains prevent effective monitoring without dedicated intervention
Complex multi-tier supply chains prevent effective monitoring without dedicated intervention
FRDM mapped materials trading across 8 tier in Cricket Australia’s supply chain. Our analysis revealed human rights risks in unexpected places — from chemical processing for rubber compounds to cotton fibers in leather backing materials.
MATERIAL RISK DEEP DIVE:
The Power of Supply Chain Transparency
We mapped the materials in the cricket ball — central to Australian sport — to demonstrate how FRDM AI’s Product Genomics and AI-powered supply chain mapping technology transforms a familiar object into actionable intelligence.
By revealing that everyday cricket equipment contains materials with documented human rights risks across multiple tiers of production, this analysis enables Cricket Australia to make informed sourcing decisions that protect workers while meeting Modern Slavery Act requirements.
Every Test match, every Big Bash game, every junior cricket program uses equipment that connects to global supply chains. Understanding these connections represents the first step toward ensuring that Australia’s beloved sport doesn’t inadvertently contribute to human exploitation.
DEMO FRDMEvery Test match, every Big Bash game, every junior cricket program uses equipment that connects to global supply chains. Understanding these connections represents the first step toward ensuring that Australia’s beloved sport doesn’t inadvertently contribute to human exploitation.
ADITIONAL DATA
Geographic/Production Data:
- 87% of global cricket ball exports from India - Volza export data showing India’s cricket ball exports
- 30,107 shipments annually - Volza India export database
- 96% of production in South Asia - Calculated from India (87%) + Pakistan production data
- 10,000 workers in cottage industries across 30 villages - Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) case study on Meerut cricket ball industry
Let Us Show You How
Incorporating FRDM.ai into supply chain scenario planning equips businesses with the tools necessary to navigate uncertainties effectively.
By providing comprehensive mapping, real-time monitoring, and collaborative features, FRDM.ai stands as a pivotal solution for resilient and responsible supply chain management.
By providing comprehensive mapping, real-time monitoring, and collaborative features, FRDM.ai stands as a pivotal solution for resilient and responsible supply chain management.
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