Polaroid set Rhenus a challenge: to reduce CO2 emissions in its supply chain without compromising the speed and reliability of its international shipments. The camera brand had already taken steps in its factories to minimize its carbon footprint, but the next step was to transfer this goal to its logistics partner to make its transport model more sustainable.
What transport solutions does Rhenus provide for Polaroid?
Rhenus has a long history as Polaroid's logistics provider, organizing transport routes for cameras and accessories from the Shanghai and Shenzhen regions to Hong Kong, Europe and the United States.
The group provides Polaroid with a fully integrated service, overseeing the brand's entire logistics operation from packaging to distribution via sea, air and road transport solutions.
Wherever possible, all goods are transported by sea, but when urgent shipments are required, as is often the case between Amsterdam and Hong Kong, the company's policy is to opt for the more CO2-efficient airfreight option using the RHEGREEN solution.
What is RHEGREEN?
RHEGREEN is a tool developed by Rhenus Air & Ocean to calculate and optimize CO2 emissions in air transport. The solution is designed to allow customers to choose between different aircraft and route options, always looking for the most sustainable alternatives in terms of CO2 emissions.
The system takes into account key factors such as aircraft type, fuel consumption and distance travelled to recommend the option with the lowest emissions. This allows companies to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising the speed of their deliveries.
What results has Polaroid achieved?
RHEGREEN has resulted in an annual reduction of 27.2 tonnes of CO2 for Polaroid's air shipments. For example, on flows between Amsterdam and Hong Kong, the tool has enabled the company to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40% per shipment, a significant step towards its goal of more sustainable logistics.
This improvement is even more important during periods of high demand, such as Black Friday, when the brand sees a significant increase in urgent deliveries. Despite operational pressures, route optimization allows Polaroid to significantly reduce its CO2 emissions while maintaining the efficiency and delivery times needed to satisfy its global customers.
What other initiatives does Rhenus Air & Ocean offer to reduce CO2 emissions?
The Polaroid case shows how sustainable solutions can transform logistics operations in terms of reduced emissions and efficiency. But it is just one example. Rhenus' commitment to sustainability goes beyond a tool like RHEGREEN. The group has developed a three-dimensional strategy to reduce CO2 emissions in all its logistics operations, covering every stage of the process, from measurement to transport optimization and the use of alternative fuels.
1. Measuring emissions
The first step in the Rhenus strategy is to accurately measure the emissions caused by logistics operations. To do this, we use the Emission Dashboard, a tool that continuously monitors the CO2 emissions generated by air and sea transport. This system enables Rhenus to assess the environmental impact of each shipment, regardless of the mode of transport used.
The Emission Dashboard provides Rhenus customers with a detailed, real-time view of the CO2 emissions generated by their shipments. This tool provides data on the type of cargo, gross weight, volume and, most importantly, the emissions of each shipment. With this information, companies can make informed decisions about which routes to choose and which modes of transport to use, always with the aim of reducing environmental impact without compromising logistical efficiency.
2. Optimizing transport options
The next step is to determine the most appropriate mode of transport for each shipment, analyzing the different options to select the most sustainable one. To do this, we use the Transport Mode Optimizer, a tool that allows us to compare different routes and modes of transport to see which produce the least CO2 emissions.
The Transport Mode Optimizer not only allows us to choose the most environmentally friendly option, but also helps us to prioritize the most sustainable modes of transport, such as rail or sea, rather than automatically opting for air transport, which is the most emission-intensive. Thanks to this tool, Rhenus ensures that transport decisions are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly.
3. Use of sustainable fuels
The third step in Rhenus' strategy to reduce CO2 emissions is the transition to sustainable fuels in aviation and shipping. The use of alternative fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) in sea transport makes a significant contribution to reducing the carbon footprint of logistics operations.
SAF, for example, reduces CO2 emissions by 80% compared to traditional aviation fuels, while the use of biofuels and natural gas in marine transport is also helping to reduce emissions in the maritime sector. These alternative fuels are critical to Rhenus' ability to continue moving towards a more sustainable transport model, aligned with global climate targets and increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
A commitment backed by international standards
Rhenus' commitment to sustainability has been endorsed by important international certifications and associations that validate its efforts to reduce emissions and promote responsible logistics practices:
- EcoVadis: Rhenus has been awarded a Gold rating for its commitment to environmental, social and ethical practices. This puts us in the top 1% of companies in the transport sector. This recognition confirms Rhenus' ongoing commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
- SGS ISO 14064-1: External verification to this standard strengthens the accuracy and transparency of Rhenus' greenhouse gas inventory, ensuring that the company complies with global emissions standards and that its actions are rigorously verified and audited.
- Clean Cargo Working Group: Through its collaboration with Clean Cargo, Rhenus uses carbon accounting methodologies based on industry standards to improve transparency and encourage measurable improvements in the environmental performance of its ocean freight operations.
- EcoTransIT: EcoTransIT is another advanced tool for accurately calculating and optimizing emissions in global freight transport. This tool reflects Rhenus' commitment to sustainable logistics and reducing emissions at all stages of international transport.
Want to know how we can make your supply chain more sustainable?
At Rhenus we are ready to help you reduce CO2 emissions and optimize your logistics processes. Contact our team of experts.