23. January 2025, 09:01 o'Clock
Article: Sustainable chemical logistics
Covestro and DB Cargo BTT optimize transport concept by using HVO.
To enable sustainable transport solutions, the logistics experts at DB Cargo BTT also think beyond rail transport and combine different modes of transport for a green supply chain.
Cleverly combined for sustainable transport
Two years ago, DB Cargo BTT was able to offer its long-standing customer Covestro with an overall concept for transport, storage and distribution. A distribution centre was established in Poland and certified by Covestro, thus increasing delivery reliability to Covestro's receiving customers in Poland to 100 percent. Since then, DB Cargo BTT has been transporting tank containers with methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI), an important raw material for thermal insulation and refrigerators, to Poland on a daily basis.
This successful concept was now further optimised to support Covestro in achieving its climate target. To this end, several sustainable modes of transport are now being ideally combined:
First mile
Trucks fuelled with biofuel (HVO 100) transport the chemicals in tank containers from the chemical company's production sites to a nearby transhipment terminal.
Main leg
The long leg from Germany to Poland is carried out by environmentally friendly rail to a transhipment terminal near the distribution centre.
Last mile
Delivery to the end customer is made on-demand and just-in-time, again using biofuel-powered lorries.
Overall, this linking of transport modes makes it possible to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 70 percent compared to conventional pre- and onward journeys by lorry using fossil diesel.
Sustainable transport concept: main route by rail, supplemented by biofuel lorries for the first and last mile.
Strong partners for a common goal
DB Cargo BTT also relies on cooperation with external partners to implement such end-to-end concepts and can thus provide complete solutions. Marco Borgwardt, Head of Business Development Intermodal Transport at DB Cargo BTT, explains: "In projects like these, we can ideally combine our rail and industry expertise with our European network of partners. This results in stable transport concepts that also sustainably reduce customers' Scope 3 emissions." The basic prerequisite is the customer's willingness to pursue the path of sustainability and to further optimise existing transport concepts. For Covestro this is a self-evident fact: "We look at the entire value chain and work hand in hand with our customers and transport companies. This includes improving loading capacity, selecting the best means and routes of transport and using sustainable energy sources," says Hanno Bruemmer, Head of Supply Chain and Logistics EMLA at Covestro.
The collaboration between Covestro and DB Cargo BTT shows how sustainable logistics solutions can make an important contribution to environmental protection. Existing transport concepts can also be rethought and further optimised in order to further establish more environmentally friendly supply chains in the chemical industry.
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