More Lean & Green Awards for Geodis, Loxxess, Melitta, and Vion

Approximately 148 million tons of CO₂ equivalents were emitted in the transportation sector in 2021, according to the Federal Environment Agency. The emissions of this climate-damaging greenhouse gas are slightly above the value of 2020 and about 3 million tons above the annual emission limit set by the Federal Climate Protection Act for 2021.

“Many participants in the Lean and Green initiative are committed to combating this development with the goal of significantly reducing emissions in logistics – with success,” explains Oliver Püthe, head of the initiative at GS1 Germany. At Log 2022, several companies were able to receive awards today for their successful CO2 reduction: Geodis CL Germany received a Lean and Green 1st Star, while Loxxess, Melitta, and the Vion Food Group each received a Lean and Green Award. “We sincerely congratulate the award winners on these successes, which once again show that the efforts are worthwhile – for the environment and for the companies,” Püthe continued.

Geodis Germany

The goal of the Lean and Green initiative is to achieve at least a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions over five years, which the transport and logistics service provider Geodis successfully implemented in Germany. Geodis CL Germany emitted about 30 percent less CO2 in the past five years and is receiving the “Lean and Green 1st Star” this year for this achievement.

The contract logistics provider, based in Frankfurt am Main, switched the supply of all fourteen locations in Germany to green electricity. Furthermore, the company renewed its vehicle fleet and now uses Eurotrailer, which offer more cargo space, allowing for every eleventh transport to be saved. To achieve further capacity in transport utilization, Geodis CL Germany introduced a new routing and dispatch system. Additionally, training for fuel-efficient driving is conducted. “The award is a great motivation for us to continue working together with Lean and Green and our customers on innovative and sustainable solutions to make an important contribution to climate change,” explains Antje Lochmann, managing director of Geodis CL Germany.

Loxxess AG

This year, GS1 Germany awarded the Lean and Green Award to the logistics service provider Loxxess. To reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent, the company has commissioned a combined heat and power plant at its Aurach location and sources electricity from renewable energy sources. Loxxess currently operates two photovoltaic systems: one in Aurach since December 2011 and another in Neutraubling since mid-2014. “The climate-neutral electricity generated in this way is fed into the grid 100 percent. This contributes to more green electricity in the municipality’s network, with an annual value between 1,400,000 and 1,650,000 kWh. The PV systems are an important part of our sustainability strategy,” explains Loxxess board member Christina Thurner. As another measure, employees have access to cars with alternative drives as company and pool vehicles, and the locations are gradually being equipped with e-charging stations. For lighting in the buildings, the medium-sized company uses energy-saving LED lighting.

Melitta Europe

Melitta Europe and the Vion Food Group have also joined the Lean and Green initiative and have reached the first milestone by certifying their action plans through TÜV Nord. They have now each received the Lean and Green Award.

The Mindener sales unit of the Melitta Group aims to optimize its transports, use alternative fuels, and utilize intermodal transport in collaboration with its partners to achieve the desired goals. Additionally, it aims to increase the use of ecologically produced electricity and low-emission energy. By 2024, the company aims to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 20 percent across Europe in the first step. “We want to leave the ecological systems for future generations at least in the condition we found them. Our goal as the Mindener sales unit of the Melitta Group is to be a role model and driver for environmentally friendly logistics processes. The ‘Lean & Green’ award is a milestone for us and a confirmation that we are on the right track,” explains Lucas Schümann, Logistics Specialist at Melitta.

Vion Food Group

Vion Food Service – with its two companies FVZ Convenience and Salomon FoodWorld – is also implementing a broad package of measures for less CO2 in its logistics processes. This includes avoiding empty trips and transfers between two locations. The food producer aims to achieve optimized route planning with adjusted ordering behavior. Additionally, the vehicle fleets of subcontractors are to be modernized, and more green electricity is to be used. Overall, the company’s own emissions are to be reduced by nearly 25 percent this year. “It is important for us to make a significant contribution to the comprehensive sustainability strategy of Vion Food in the logistics area as well. Accordingly, we are proud that we can achieve a permanent CO2 reduction of 25% through these optimizations,” says Hartmut Jung, Director Supply Chain at Vion Food.

Photo: © EHI / Image caption: Group photo of all award winners during Log 2022