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Tag: sustainability

TDS invests in BYD emission-free trucks

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Top Delivery Services (TDS) has made a major commitment to emission-free city distribution following the purchase of 10 BYD ETM6 pure-electric eTrucks in collaboration with Bluekens EV, strategic partner and BYD eTruck dealer for the Netherlands. The vehicles will be used specifically for eco-friendly zero-emission delivery services of IKEA in Amsterdam.

René Wissink, Director of TDS, said: “TDS has already done a lot in the field of electric transport. This is an exciting development as we instantly become one of the major players in the market for emission-free distribution. The collaboration with strategic partner Bluekens EV is indispensable in this regard.”

In the search for a solution for the goal of IKEA, TDS got in touch with Bluekens EV. BYD eTruck dealer, Bluekens EV based in Breda, is an expert in emission-free city logistics and also fleet management solutions. René Wissink continued: “TDS would not have been able to take this step without Bluekens EV, being such a major name in the transport world. The organisation has enormous expertise in the field of electric transport and we have the assurance of aftersales and maintenance, all of which gives us a lot of confidence.”

As well as this knowledge, Bluekens EV also offered TDS the advantage of a 360° sales and aftersales service plan. This is enhanced further with a range of added-value services including charging infrastructure, fleet management and complete leasing solutions.

A multitude of innovative features inherent to the BYD ETM6 eTrucks makes them the ideal zero-emission vehicles to fulfil environmental goals, while also being very safe, quiet and practical for operating in high density city centres. Powered by BYD Iron-Phosphate Battery technology, the BYD ETM6 zero-emission electric truck offers the longest driving range, 200km with a full load, in the market within its 7.5 tonnes category, as well as extended battery life and high levels of safety.

TDS is a joint venture of logistic service providers comprising Holwerda Transport, Transportbedrijf P.A. van Rooyen and Brakenhoff Transport. Wissink concluded: “There is an increasing need from the customer for electric transport, a trend which has been going on for some time. As a transporter, you automatically go along with such developments, but we always try to anticipate.”

Gert-Jan Jonker, General Manager, Bluekens EV, said: “The BYD ETM6 is perfect for emission-free city logistics. Compared to most electric trucks, this model drives smoothly, has a long range for everyday use, a low TCO and fast charging technology. In addition, smart solutions for the charging infrastructure at TDS were considered in the preliminary phase. As a result, new charging facilities have been developed at one location, which will allow the surplus of solar energy from the solar panels to be used for charging.

“Bluekens EV also takes care of the fleet management, which supports TDS. It is our job to monitor the fleet, keep it running and provide insights into costs. The uptime of the vehicles should be as high as possible. In the event of a breakdown, we contact the driver and help him or her to get back on the road quickly. We initially try this by telephone, otherwise our technicians will quickly arrive on site to solve the problem.”

Mahmut Mobassit, eTruck Director, BYD Europe B.V., said: “We are proud that BYD eTrucks have been selected by such a well-known name as TDS and also for the role they will play in providing such an important zero-emission delivery service for IKEA in Amsterdam.  Quiet, clean and safe, our BYD ETM6 eTrucks embrace a new era in electric powered commercial transportation, without compromising on performance, efficiency and practicality. Together with our partner in the Netherlands, Bluekens EV, we are pleased to support TDS with a comprehensive aftersales service and fleet management solution to continually elevate operating efficiencies, in the knowledge that our eTrucks are being sympathetic to the environment.”

PD Ports aims for net zero with Konecranes

Posted on by Keith McKinley

PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport, the fifth largest port in the UK, has contracted specialist crane manufacturer Konecranes to convert the primary power supply of four diesel-driven Rubber Tyre Gantry Cranes (RTGs) to electric, boosting operational efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

This is the first phase of a wider electrification process, totalling over £2m of investment by PD Ports, and will mean that 70% of PD Ports’ RTG fleet runs on electric, demonstrating the latest step in an ongoing journey of decarbonisation for the port operator who aims to reach carbon-neutrality across its Tees-based operations by 2027.

The process, which will be carried out by Konecranes, involves the removal of all diesel components. This will completely eliminate the consumption of diesel fuel, instead allowing the equipment to run wholly on electric – significantly reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution as well as lowering maintenance requirements.

Frans Calje, PD Ports CEO, said: “The implementation of alternative, cleaner energy supplies is one of the key components to our long-term vision for Teesport and is another step in achieving our 30-year plan in which we aim to work with customers and stakeholders to elevate the River Tees to the UK’s most successful port region by 2050.

“PD Ports is a key piece of national infrastructure and as the Statutory Harbour Authority for the River Tees, we have a duty to ensure that we continuously work to reduce our impact on the environment throughout our operations.

“As long-standing partners of Konecranes, we are very much looking forward to working with them on this project and delivering on our commitment to developing clean, sustainable port technology.”

Each RTG will take an average of three weeks to covert meaning the project, which will extend the lifespan of the equipment for an additional decade, is due for completion in early 2022.

During the retrofit, Konecranes will also be installing fibre optics which will future-proof the RTGs, enabling continuous upgrades and access to enhanced features, such as remote operations, meaning the equipment will be central to increasing both efficiencies and productivity for PD Ports.

Paolo Dazi, Konecranes Port Services Senior Vice President, said: ‘’We are dedicated to helping ports and terminal operators grow through sustainable, digital and adaptable service solutions. The trust PD Ports has shown in us, as equipment lifecycle experts is really exciting and rewards our ambition to keep increasing customers’ operational efficiency, safety and equipment sustainability.’’

GEFCO tests biodiesel fuel in car transporters

Posted on by David Priestman

In November 2021, GEFCO France and Gardien Transports started testing synthetic biodiesel made from waste oil and fat as an alternative fuel for two car transporters distributing new vehicles in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. This one-year project supports GEFCO France’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from its finished vehicles logistics (FVL) operations.

For these tests, GEFCO France and Gardien Transports have selected Altens PUR-XTL synthetic biodiesel. This alternative fuel is produced exclusively from waste materials, and can be used in regular diesel vehicles without any technical modifications. Compared to standard diesel, PUR-XTL promises to cut CO2 emissions by 85-90% and fine/ultrafine particles by up to 65% on short journeys with 500km of autonomy.

After committing to the EVcom voluntary carbon reduction program in 2019 and Objectif CO2 standards in early 2021, GEFCO France is now testing alternative fuels (natural gas and biogas) and rolling out a programme for its proprietary finished vehicles logistics business focused on four priorities:

Flow optimisation. Transport schedules, plans and loads are regularly revised and optimised to reduce the flow of trucks and avoid empty return journeys whenever possible.

Vehicles. GEFCO France is aiming to upgrade 100% of its FVL fleet to Euro 6 vehicle emissions standards by the end of 2021. Through these upgrades, the fleet’s fuel consumption at 100km already dropped by 10% between 2015 and 2020. GEFCO France is also asking its partners to make similar upgrades.

Drivers. Since 2015, GEFCO France drivers have followed an eco-driving training programme, renewable every two years. At the end of 2020, 80% had completed this training.

Fuel. To monitor equipment performance and optimise maintenance, GEFCO France tractors are equipped with integrated telematic systems to adapt fuel consumption to loads and road conditions.

This partnership further demonstrates its commitment to a more sustainable logistics sector in France.

“Like GEFCO France, Gardien Transports has signed the Objectif CO2 charter to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Frédéric Briand, COO Finished Vehicle Logistics at GEFCO France. “Our partner is committed to moving the transportation and logistics business forward. Gardien Transports’ values reflect our own, providing all the more reason to support its efforts.”

AxlePower helps achieve zero-emission trailer refrigeration

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Thermo King, a leader in transport temperature control solutions and a brand of Trane Technologies, in partnership with BPW, a leader in running gears and mobility services for transport businesses, revealed new AxlePower technology at the recent Solutrans exhibition in Lyon, France.

The AxlePower technology with BPW’s ePower axle is a highly innovative energy recovery system for trailer refrigeration units, which delivers immediate and long-term sustainability benefits while also helping cut day-to-day operating costs.

Francesco Incalza, president of Thermo King in Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Sustainability is undoubtfully front and centre for the transport industry. For decades, Thermo King has considered it our responsibility to advance transport refrigeration, designing and manufacturing products for our customers that reflect our environmental awareness and answer ever-new challenges.

“Thermo King was the first to offer true hybrid and non-diesel truck and trailer refrigeration solutions. Today, combining our expertise, research and development with BPW, we’re introducing new technology that turns the energy typically lost by a trailer during transit into clean, sustainable power for trailer refrigeration units.”

Thore Bakker, General Manager Trailer Solutions & Mobility Services at BPW, added: “We are proud to present a climate-efficient solution for refrigerated transport that implements our strategy of system and mobility partnership just perfectly: Vehicle operators can rely on operational safety, mobility and service around the clock with the European service networks of Thermo King and BPW.

“Additional benefit is that the customised cooling solutions fit seamlessly in vehicle manufacturers processes. Whether air suspension, spring centres, wheel ends or interfaces – nothing changes, nothing has to be redesigned. In this way, we are making a joint contribution to the breakthrough of emission-free refrigerated transport.”

Across global cold chains, trailer vehicles routinely dissipate energy due to constant braking and deaccelerating in traffic and in downhill routes. At the same time, transport companies are seeking the most sustainable energy sources, both in terms of CO2 emissions and noise, to power their refrigerated trailers.

The new AxlePower technology results from a partnership of two technology leaders for freight transport solutions that combined their competences to answer these needs and deliver a solution, which will drastically reduce the environmental impact of refrigerated trailers.

The AxlePower technology is a fully integrated system that combines Thermo King hybrid or fully electric trailer refrigeration units, BPW’s ePower axle energy recovery system, and battery storage technologies developed to create an efficient, autonomously powered trailer refrigeration solution.

The system stores the energy generated while the vehicle is rolling or braking in a high voltage battery and reuses it to power the refrigeration unit and keep the cargo at optimal temperature.

The AxlePower system is tractor-independent, which makes it easy to deploy across the customer’s fleet. The technology also offers immediate compatibility with all Thermo King and Frigoblock trailer refrigeration units.

Ideal option for sustainable operations

The possibility to recover and reuse energy makes the AxlePower system an ideal solution to increase the sustainability of all types of trailer journeys. With silent running and no CO2 emissions when operating from the battery-pack, this technology allows customers to easily run inner-city deliveries, including in Ultra-low Emission Zones (ULEZs).

Laurent Debias of Thermo King concluded: “The AxlePower technology represents a significant advancement in both operational flexibility and long-term sustainability of refrigerated trailer fleets. Enabling this form of electric power supply recovering energy that would typically be lost, allows for significant emissions and cost gains during every single journey. This is especially important in a price competitive industry like commercial transport.”

Providing electric solutions for refrigerated transportation is part of Thermo King’s and Trane Technologies’ overall approach to reducing carbon emissions in the industries and markets it serves. It helps advance the 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion tonnes.

Transporeon aims for carbon neutrality

Posted on by Keith McKinley

On 23rd November 2021, Transporeon announced that it will become carbon neutral within three months. The company offers technology with a purpose that enables its customers to operate more sustainably. For example, Transporeon can help them make their CO2 consumption more visible with the new ‘Transporeon Carbon Visibility’ dashboard. In this context, the European Union’s ‘Fit for 55’ climate policy will apply carbon certificate trading to the transport sector from 2026 and require companies to set up an objective and efficient reporting system.

“It is only logical that we do our utmost to operate sustainably ourselves as the leading digital freight platform in Europe, where our customers together manage more than 100,000 transports per day and tender about 20bn freight volume per year,” said Transporeon CEO Stephan Sieber. “Becoming carbon neutral is the first step, but the journey has only just begun.”

Already beginning of this year, Transporeon launched the internal technology incubator ‘Transporeon4Future’ with the goal to innovate for decarbonisation and sustainable logistics. From this initiative Transporeon is launching in early 2022 the new Carbon Visibility dashboard that will enable shippers, carriers, and freight forwarders to precisely measure and report on their logistics emissions across the entire supply chain and all transport modalities and to provide tools to steer and reduce their future emissions.

More solutions will follow. For example, Transporeon is working on green tendering and assignment solutions, which will go live in 2022.

Transporeon´s own carbon footprint in 2020 falls more than 40% short compared to 2019, which was both impacted by the pandemic and own efforts which leave room for further science-based decarbonisation targets. Transporeon has therefore partnered with South Pole to undertake its decarbonisation strategy, the setting of future targets and also the selection of emission reduction projects to offset its remaining carbon emissions.

South Pole is a leading climate solutions provider and developer of emission reduction projects. Transporeon will be awarded the “Carbon Neutral Company” label by South Pole for its efforts in the first quarter of 2022.

“We applaud Transporeon for taking important steps on their climate journey, first by assessing their carbon footprint and then by taking meaningful action towards reducing their emissions,” said Renat Heuberger, CEO South Pole. “We are proud to help them on this journey and eager to see how their actions encourage other companies to take similar actions.”

“We are committed to bring transportation in sync with the world – with a sustainable world,” added Sieber. “Collaboration is the most promising way to achieve decarbonisation. That is why not only Transporeon as a company will become carbon neutral, but we also guide our network to lower their emissions in transportation. Together, we can make a difference.”

Forto marks sustainability milestones

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Forto, a leading provider of digitised freight forwarding and supply chain solutions, has announced the latest milestone achievement in its sustainability roadmap with more than 50% of Sea Freight Full Container Load (FCL) volumes booked with Forto’s carbon offset offering in the third quarter of 2021. In this period, 65% of Forto sea freight booking customers committed to offset the CO₂e emissions of their Sea Freight shipments, representing the highest percentage of customers to-date. The adoption rate was achieved well ahead of the company’s targeted forecast originally set for 2023.

The achievement signals an acceleration in customer adoption of climate-driven solutions and marks an important next step in the company’s long term goal to drive transformation towards sustainable supply chains. “We see these metrics as positive indicators of a significant market shift. Sustainability topics are moving to the forefront of customer agendas more than ever before,” explained Michael Wax (pictured), CEO and co-founder of Forto. “This is a pivotal point for the logistics sector and there is a huge opportunity for industry to drive innovation and new programmes forward that will dramatically impact trade, and of course, all people, our planet and future generations.”

Climate neutrality

In April 2021, Forto announced its goal to make its transports 100% climate neutral by 2025. A commitment to addressing the global impact of shipping and transport on people and planet is built into the Forto DNA and strategy. The Forto programme starts by providing customers with emissions visibility and information that empowers them to make impactful data-based decisions. The goal is for sustainable choices to become the default, which can be achieved by making climate action easy. The company reinforces this with its own investments on top of those of the customers.

Current Forto programmes and initiatives focus on:

  • Transparency and visibility of climate impact. Forto believes that the first step towards action is knowledge. The company works with independent third parties to continually monitor and analyze the carbon footprint of the transports booked by its customers in order to identify inefficiencies and reduce emissions. This information is available for customers through emissions reporting on a shipment level.
  • CO₂e Offsetting for All Transport Modes. Forto offers CO₂e offsets for all modes of transport, with offsetting being part of sea freight shipments by default. Taking climate action is easy with customers being able to set their offsetting preferences directly on the Forto platform on a global & shipment level. Leading brands in fashion, furniture and electronics are among the customers participating in the programme as part of their own sustainability initiatives.
  • Forto’s own CO₂e Offsetting Commitment and 1+1 Matching. To further drive positive climate impact, Forto doubles each customer’s CO₂e offsets. In addition, Forto invests in automatically offsetting all Sea Freight Less than Container Load (LCL) shipments, so that they are 100% climate neutral at no additional cost to the customer.
  • Alternative energy transport. Keeping in mind that offsetting is just a first step towards sustainable logistics, Forto is committed to exploring greener transport modes. For example, 90% of German-based Rail Pre- and On-Carriage intermodal volumes are transported using trains powered by renewable energy.
  • Continual education and consultation. The company works to empower people to take climate action by listening, discussing, learning and innovating together. All Forto teams are trained by the company’s growing sustainability team to work together strategically with partners, customers and other stakeholders to explore sustainability options and find solutions that fit their needs.

Forto is also working to build a network of partners and collaborators on a global level to jointly achieve sustainability and climate goals. “Sustainability should become an integral part of any corporate philosophy,” added Dr. ing. Michael Ardelt, COO at Forto. “We hope to not only have an impact on our business, but that of the entire industry. That means working together with our customers, our partners, and a variety of companies to bring these sustainability initiatives forward together.”

The company strongly believes in a world of free and fair trade and connects the benefits of global trade with a sustainable way of transporting goods. Few other industries or achievements in human history had a similar effect on advancing people’s life standards across the globe like trade did. Beyond reducing environmental impact and improving social conditions – a sustainable and balanced company is also a future-proof company. Forto’s goal is to make supply chains future-proof while preparing the industry for the challenges of the next century.

Forto also strives to live sustainability from the inside out. Since its foundation, the company calculates, reduces and compensates its internal emissions footprint with the goal of CO₂e neutrality for internal operations. Forto also works each day towards building an inspiring and sustainable environment for their employees with initiatives such as green energy, organic food and a climate friendly travel policy. The company offers additional programmes such as planting trees instead of gifting products as employee rewards, and ongoing education and inspiration as well as training on sustainability topics.

 

Kite introduces recyclable edge protectors

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The external edges, corners and sides of items such as furniture or frames are at high risk of damage if not properly protected before shipping. These outer most areas are the most susceptible to impact, making edge protectors essential packaging equipment for businesses sending out potentially fragile objects.

Historically, polystyrene has been the only available cushioning product for sharp edges such as these, yet Kite Packaging has recently introduced a range of 100% recycled solid board alternatives that can also be recycled after use.

Each product is made from compressed, recycled cardboard to create a highly dense and durable material. Hence, these edge protectors are as effective as they are sustainable by adding reliable reinforcement to vulnerable areas.

Use the standard style for straight edges, the innovative yet simple locked corner design for pointed corners and the curved variety for rounded edges. Each style has unique features to adapt it to the varying properties of the object being packaged.

Tables, mirrors and large picture frames, for example, will all require one or a combination of these protectors. As they are typically high value products too, it is of even greater importance that they do not suffer and scratches or scrapes that could result in returns; damaging your business’s finances and carbon footprint.

Real-time visibility enhances sustainability

Posted on by David Priestman

The IPCC’s most recent assessment on the extent to which human activity affects the climate is bleak, writes Vernon O’Donnell, Chief Product Officer at project44. It calls for quick action and reminds us that “every tonne of CO2 emissions contributes to global warming.” The supply chain sector is being scrutinised because it currently accounts for approximately one-fifth of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. While other industries have already begun to reduce emissions, albeit slowly, supply chain transportation is lagging behind.

This is frustrating because supply chains are well positioned to assist in meeting sustainability goals. While many in the business are waiting for electric vehicles to be a silver bullet, others are acting immediately. There are immediate and cost-effective solutions that can be implemented when time is of the essence. Greater visibility and interrogation of supply chains, as well as lowering inefficiencies and emissions through smart data utilisation, must be the first port of call.

From Ikea to Unilever, Apple to Coca-Cola, many of the world’s most recognisable names have publicly stated their net zero target timeline. While this is admirable, it doesn’t tell us how targets will be measured – not least within the supply chain. As research suggests, while 36% of supply chains have just started to measure their sustainability or climate impact, over a quarter are not measuring impact at all.

There is a glaring lack of visibility across supply chains, which by their nature are often complex and multifaceted. Measuring the total environmental impact of a supply chain is a complicated task, but one that must be undertaken in order to deliver sustainability targets. If we don’t know our current baseline, how can we know when we are moving in the right direction?

Achieving supply chain visibility requires a multifaceted approach. As the World Economic Forum estimates, digitisation has the potential to reduce emissions from logistics by 10% to 12% by 2025, however, 50% of organisations still have to embark on supply chain digitisation and visibility enablement. It is only with high-quality visibility data that supply chains can improve practices that lead to waste. For example, new software platforms are emerging to help with sustainable sourcing, supply chain emissions visibility, supplier management and monitoring as well as ensuring products re-enter the value chain through a circular economy.

Corporates are increasingly feeling pressure from consumers and governments to have more comprehensive, real-time visibility at every step of the value chain as well as utilise more sustainable materials and production practices. For example, smarter use of such visibility technology can enable companies to analyse shipments to identify areas for improvement, choosing the routes and modes that will create the least amount of waste. These technologies are ambitious. Most Transportation Management Systems currently in use only contemplate two factors when selecting a carrier – cost and performance. A third dimension illustrating the carbon footprint should be added so a balanced decision can be made that aligns with emissions targets. While this is a challenge that is still a way off for many companies, it is a model that all should aspire to and is a solution that is closer than ever.

While this level of insight may still be aspirational for some, there is still much that can be done with data visibility. For example, long-duration truck idling results in 11 million tons of CO2 and 180,000 tons of NOx each year. Magna International, a global automotive manufacturer that has produced more than 3.5 million vehicles including models for brands like BMW and Jaguar, analysed their visibility data to identify possible process improvements. They found that shipments were late 2% of the time and early 50% of the time, and both scenarios were causing missed dock appointments. Having access to this information allowed them to improve processes to ensure an additional 40% of their shipments arrived in the 30-minute appointment window, significantly reducing dwell time.

Better together

If the shipping sector is going to decarbonise, it will take a combined effort. The Digital LTL Council in the US, of which project44 is a founding member, is a great example of how industry leaders can come together to tackle issues faced by the industry. The council focuses on creating standardisation across the sector, which will be key in the fight against climate change.

Such collaborative efforts demonstrate the determination of the industry to play its part in this challenge. However, to harness the power of data to drive sustainable supply chains, this collaboration must go further. Visibility can only be attained when each player shows their hand and is playing the same game. In other words, greater openness and standardisation of green data is required within the supply chain to realise the benefits of data-led sustainability strategies. With the willingness of all parties involved, this will be a first step towards a more sustainable industry. This buys the transportation sector time while technologies such as electric and hydrogen vehicles remain in development.

And, when those green technologies are ready for mass adoption, we will be ready as an industry to measure their impact. Only once we have established a baseline for now can we ensure that they are playing as transformative a role as possible in the future.

A cleaner, brighter future is dependent on sustainable data visibility in supply chain transportation.

At the moment, we aren’t seeing emissions data used at scale, but the tide is turning. More organisations collaborating to bring change, share ideas, and make data public, which is critical for analysing impact and developing strategy. Our future is one in which businesses can continue to prosper and satisfy customer expectations, fuelled by efficient procedures that are ready to welcome the hydrogen ships, electric lorries, and drones that will propel us forward. For the time being, though, we must rely on what we have – data, analytics, and each other – to turn the tables.

The true cost of food waste in the UK supply chain

Posted on by Keith McKinley

According to recent research conducted by supply chain specialists Balloon One, 4.8 million tonnes of food are wasted in the UK supply chain every year. That’s enough to feed approximately 2,646,000,000 people each day, or everyone in the UK for 39 days.

Food waste is not only an issue for your bank balance, but the environment too. When we throw food away, we’re wasting the water, energy, and space that’s been used to grow, produce, and transport it.

Not only that, but according to FareShare, approximately 8.4 million people in the UK are living in food insecure homes. The amount of food waste produced by the sector is enough to feed everyone in the UK and tackle the country’s food poverty crisis.

Using statistics from WRAP’s report on food waste in primary production in the UK, Balloon One analysed food waste data across four main industries – retail, manufacturing & processing, agriculture & primary production, and hospitality & food service – to discover the truth behind the UK’s waste problem.

It compared WRAP’s data with the average amount of food each person needs per day, to work out the true cost of the UK supply chain’s food waste problem.

The supply chain’s problem with food waste

The waste produced by the supply chain is significant, but if we break the data down more, we can work out exactly which sectors hold the most responsibility.

Manufacturing and processing produced the largest amount of food waste. The 1.9 million tonnes created by this sector is enough to feed approximately 1,047,375,000 people every day. That’s the equivalent of feeding everyone in the UK for 16 days.

Following closely behind is agriculture and primary production. This sector’s 1.6 million tonnes of food waste could feed 882,000,000 people every day, or provide almost two weeks’ (13 days’) worth of food for everyone in the UK.

Not far behind is hospitality and food service, which produces 1 million tonnes of food waste — enough to feed 551,250,000 people in just one day, or everyone in the UK for approximately eight days.

Of all the sectors, retail produced the lowest amount of food waste, but the amount still remains high. At 0.3 million tonnes, this sector wastes enough food to feed approximately 165,375,000 people per day. That could feed everyone in the UK for three whole days.

Balloon One’s results showed that there’s still a very long way to go to reduce food waste in the supply chain, but what can you do to help?

When dealing with perishable items such as food, effective stock control is vital. Monitoring your stock turn and waste, automating your processes, and improving storage can all help to reduce your food waste in the supply chain.

Monitor your food waste

The first step towards reducing your food waste is taking a closer look at the problem within your business. Monitoring your current waste levels and measuring your stock turn means you can set targets for your operation. For example, you may wish to halve the percentage of food wasted in your factory, warehouse, store, or restaurant. This allows you to effectively plan your next steps if you’re working towards a clear goal.

Capturing this data also means you can track which foods are commonly wasted, along with information on expiry dates and storage times, so you can take steps towards reducing your waste. For example, if a certain product or ingredient is commonly thrown away, then you can order fewer units in the future.

While monitoring your food waste, it’s a good idea to also track your receipt accuracy metrics. This will tell you how accurate the orders that you receive from your suppliers are, so you can identify whether the issue is an internal one or a problem with your supplier. For example, if you commonly receive orders with short expiry dates, then you may need to speak to your supplier about organising longer timescales.

Automate your processes

When shipments come into the warehouse, a lot of information needs to be stored about each one. Things like quantities, SKU numbers, batch or serial numbers, and expiry dates all need to be logged, which can take a lot of time to do manually and can put your lead times back. And, the longer it takes for your products to reach your shelves, the longer it will be before it can reach the customer — increasing the risk of spoilage.

This is where automation comes in. Advanced shipping notice (ANS) can help reduce the time it takes to get your products onto your shelves. ANS will notify you of a pending shipment and allows you to receive data on your delivery, such as expiry dates and storage conditions. This means you can accept your order while it’s on its way, meaning it can be booked in much faster.

By investing in barcode scanners, you can quickly and efficiently log each unit as it comes in, saving you time and resources. Barcodes and QR codes can contain a multitude of data, including expiration dates and storage conditions, which allows you to maximise the shelf life of each product. Having this information immediately available ensures consistency across the entire supply chain, and minimises the likelihood of the cold chain being broken.

All of this information can also be imported over to your warehouse management system (WMS), so you can see how long you have to move your products. This automation and can monitor if any stock is due to expire soon, so you can make decisions accordingly. This data can also be transferred over to your customer. Whether it’s a retail customer or hospitality client, giving them up-to-date reports on expiry dates allows them to plan and reduce food waste in their own business too.

Improve inventory management

One major factor in food waste is planning for demand that never comes. Having a flexible supply chain is vital. There’s no real way to predict what will happen in the future, but by monitoring analytics throughout the supply chain, you can track when supply isn’t keeping up with demand, or vice versa, so you can amend your processes to suit.

For example, instead of manufacturing or keeping excess stock of a particular product just in case demand rises, you can use real time analytics to monitor trends. This means you can quickly react to a surge in demand and can produce, order, or send out extra shipments when you can be sure it’s needed.

The layout of your warehouse, stock room, or store can also go a long way towards reducing your food waste and improving efficiency. If your WMS flags that a particular unit is due to expire, this can be moved into a marked area ready to be discounted. This makes it more likely to be sold rather than wasted. Alternatively, consider donating this excess food to a local charity or food bank to do your bit to tackle food poverty and reduce your impact on the environment.

Commenting on the data, Craig Powell, Managing Director at Balloon One, said: “The true cost of food waste in the supply chain really is shocking. With so many families going without meals, the food we’re wasting is enough to feed everyone in the UK for over a month! Clearly there are steps we need to take as an industry to reduce our waste.

“The sheer amount of food we’re throwing away is enormous, and it’s vital that every business does their bit if we want to make a difference, and each sector must work together to have the biggest impact.

“The good news is that most of our food waste can easily be avoided and is largely due to an inefficient supply chain holding things up and wasting valuable time. And, when it comes to perishable items like food, time is of the essence at every stage.

“We’re lucky enough to have innovative technology right at our fingertips, and this tech can drastically change our processes for the better. By investing in WMS and automated systems, warehouses, transport management companies, retailers, and hospitality venues can all collaborate and reduce lead times. That means food can get from farm to fork much more quickly.

“There are a few changes that every business can make to tackle the problem. So, whether you lower your inventory levels or automate your processes, every company, no matter their size, can get involved and have an impact.”

European business reusing more wooden pallets

Posted on by David Priestman

European pallet and packaging manufacturers are repairing more wooden pallets for reuse than ever, according to a survey by European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB).

Latest figures from the organisation, show that 197.5 million pallets were repaired in 2019, an increase of 25% on the previous survey carried out three years earlier.

In countries that are running formal packaging surveys – such as France, the Netherlands, and the UK – pallet repairs are generally equal to, or exceed, the numbers for new pallet production. Some 435.9 million pallets were manufactured during the same three-year period, an increase of 12% on FEFPEB’s 2016 study. Accordingly, the organisation estimates the European total to be closer 500 million.

These figures do not yet include repairs to pallets in several of FEFPEB’s 18 member countries and there are also significant numbers of pallets inspected and reused every year without needing to be repaired.

The figures also show an increase in the use of industrial and lightweight packaging, growing by 8.5% and 14%, respectively, between 2016 and 2019.

FEFPEB President Rob van Hoesel said: “We are encouraged by the results of FEFPEB’s latest manufacture and repair survey, as they show not only an increase in the use of all kinds of wooden packaging, but also a welcome growth in reuse and repair of these products. Wooden pallets and packaging have a key role to play in reducing the carbon footprint of businesses and establishing true sustainability in supply chains.

“Awareness about the need for action on climate change has increased, so we can expect demand for environment-friendly business solutions such as wooden pallets and packaging to increase in the months ahead. I will be interested to see the impact of this on our manufacturing and repair figures for the three years ahead.”

At FEFPEB’s 2019 AGM, Van Hoesel called for the pallet and packaging industry to target sourcing 100 per cent of its timber from certified sources, such as PEFC and FSC, to further increase its strong environmental credentials.

“With COP26 taking place in Glasgow, it’s a great time to remind ourselves of the important place wood has in building the circular economies we need for the future. Wood is already the most sustainable choice of raw material for manufacturing and as such has been recognised as central by authorities including the European Commission to doing this and lowering the carbon footprint of businesses,” said van Hoesel.

FEFPEB is continually seeking to improve the collation and analysis of data on the manufacture, reuse and repair of wooden packaging and pallets. With packaging surveys already taking place in several countries, the organisation is working with its membership to encourage further measurement and reporting to build up an increasingly accurate picture of developments within Europe.

FEFPEB has collaborated with the European Woodworking Industry Confederation (CEI-Bois) to ensure that pallets and packaging have been included as part of the organisation’s presentation of the forest-based industries at COP26 and submissions on developing more sustainable business in the EU.

The packaging and pallet industry purchases approximately 25% of the European sawmill output of timber.

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