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The Eco Performance Awards 2022 were presented on March 22, 2022, under the motto “Innovations for Sustainable Road Freight Transport” during a digital ceremony. At the live event, the companies Österreichische Post AG (large enterprises), Trailer Dynamics GmbH (start-ups), and xpack green logistics GmbH & Co. KG (Transformer of the year) were awarded as Eco Performers 2022.
(St. Gallen/Ulm) The jury, chaired by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Stölzle, Managing Director of the Institute for Supply Chain Management at the University of St. Gallen, selected five finalists after a multi-stage application process, from which the aforementioned award winners were chosen. All five companies (other finalists: Dachser SE and CO2OPT GmbH) presented excellent concepts for greater sustainability in road freight transport.
The winners and their concepts:
Österreichische Post aims to deliver CO2-neutral by 2030
All letters and packages in Austria are to be delivered completely emission-free by Österreichische Post by 2030. To achieve this, electric vehicles and bicycles will be used on a large scale, with intelligent solutions for charging being developed. In Graz, the ambitious goal of completely emission-free delivery has already been achieved. Through purely electric deliveries in the urban area, the annual diesel consumption of 170,000 liters can be completely replaced by green electricity, saving almost 420 tons of CO2 emissions per year. In other Austrian cities, deliveries are already occurring with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. In the city of Graz, the concept has already been fully implemented. The measures extend beyond delivery; for example, compensation areas for biodiversity preservation are being created and managed, and wooden roofs are being installed in the package centers. In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, 14 essential topics are addressed in the “Masterplan” for 2030, covering economic, ecological, and social aspects. The plan is to be implemented in three stages: first, by avoiding emissions and increasing efficiency; second, through alternative technologies and energy forms; and third, through compensation and climate protection projects.
Trailer Dynamics thinks differently about trailers
The electrification of road freight transport poses numerous technological and economic challenges. Trailer Dynamics’ concept highlights an innovative and cross-drive solution with its electrified trailer. A trailer with an integrated, purely electric drive system can support tractor units, converting diesel-powered tractor systems into plug-in hybrids. Electric tractors achieve significant range gains through the so-called Newton eTrailer. The trailer is fundamentally compatible with all common manufacturers and technologies, enabled by a specially developed system that controls the trailer in real-time via sensors. This can achieve diesel and CO2 savings of nearly 20%. Combined with other solutions from Trailer Dynamics that improve aerodynamics, further savings can be realized. The total cost of ownership is expected to be significantly lower than that of a diesel truck with a standard trailer or a system with a battery-electric tractor unit. Additionally, energy is recovered through recuperation, which feeds the on-board battery system.
xpack as a solution for sustainable parcel shipping
Single-use packaging in e-commerce and parcel shipping generates large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions and significant waste each year. Furthermore, the packaging process is often labor-intensive and inefficient. Despite the numerous available types, packages are often shipped with a lot of “air,” requiring additional filling materials. All these problems are to be addressed and solved by xpack’s reusable shipping packaging. The packaging can be used many times and is recyclable afterward. Additionally, xpack packaging is initially produced from recycled materials. Moreover, the packaging is designed to be more robust and resistant to moisture and dirt than conventional cardboard boxes. The packaging size is customizable. Additionally, the packages are stackable and nestable, opening up new application possibilities. Sensors can be integrated for shipment tracking and IoT applications. Besides the packaging itself, the return system that regulates the use and return of the boxes is also important. The boxes can be used under a performance-based pricing model (“Pay-Per-Use”). To increase the willingness to return, an incentive system has been created. In addition to waste reduction, packaging-induced emissions can be reduced by up to 80%, and shipping-induced emissions by 50%. Through TyrePack, a reusable packaging for car wheels, the initiators of xpack have provided proof of concept for the product, demonstrating the market viability of the solution.
Further steps and Eco Performance Award 2023
The Eco Performance Awards were again presented in a digital format in 2022. A physical event is planned for May/June 2022 on a smaller scale for the presentation of the awards and certificates by the jury.
The jury expressly thanks all applicants for the EPA 2022 and is already looking forward to the 2023 round when the Eco Performance Award enters its 15th edition. All further information regarding the application modalities for 2023 will be published promptly on the award’s website.
