How Teva’s German Fleet is Reducing CO2 Emissions by 30%

March 13, 2024
- Environment
- Sustainability

We all know the benefits of reducing our carbon footprint and minimizing our impact on the environment – it’s better for our health, it’s better for our economies and, of course, it’s better for our planet.

At Teva, we’re committed to this goal and, in line with our mission to improve lives, we work to mitigate our impact on the environment, pledging to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25% by 2025, by 46% by 2030 (compared to our 2019 figures), and reach Net-Zero by 2045.

Around the world, in all our facilities, our teams are working hard to achieve these aims and making our pledges a reality. Take Germany for example, where new innovations serve the local community, not just in terms of the economic benefits they bring but also in the area of sustainability.

"In Germany we have a climate friendly truck fleet in place and continue to use every chance available to further reduce our carbon footprint because a clean environment is also essential for human health," says Bernd Schlumpberger, Head of Fleet & Transport Management at Teva.

Our German fleet of more than 80 trucks and trailers delivers about 450,000 palettes per year from Teva sites in Ulm and Weiler to the German and Austrian markets and right across Europe.

The fleet leading the way in sustainable pharma transport logistics, includes innovative new models such as the eco-friendly Citytrailer, from Schmitz Cargobull. Its advanced technology incorporates a Thermo King Advancer A-400 cooling unit running in combination with a gas-powered IVECO tractor unit, which increases fuel efficiency and reduces CO2, both by 30%.

It also lowers particulate matter (PM) emissions to 50% below the maximum permissible value according to NRMM Stage V, the world’s toughest emission standards for non-road mobile machinery (NRMM).PM refers to everything in the air that is not a gas and as such it is made up from a huge variety of chemical compounds and materials some which can be toxic.

Used mainly to distribute medicines to city center hospitals, the agility and maneuverability of these vehicles is key and innovations such as the forced steering axle mean we can use this large truck to deliver into smaller spaces, where previously we had to use vans carrying less products. Delivering higher volumes reduces the number of deliveries needed, reducing our CO2 emissions. Plus a double deck loading-system can handle up to 54 pallets for greater efficiency. Safety features on the truck include fortified back doors with stainless steel roller bumpers and a high security door-lock-system.

To achieve our ambitious sustainability goals, “we are collaborating with strategic partners who understand our challenges and processes and who are able to work with us to find the most innovative solutions”, says Robert Renz, Teamlead Fleet & Mobility Management. "When it comes to future-oriented and environmentally friendly solutions in the transport sector, we are as a benchmark always two steps ahead." In 2023 another innovative asset joined the Teva fleet: A fully electric truck. The e-truck generates zero CO2 emissions, running entirely on electric power for propulsion and cooling systems. Charging occurs through the logistics center's rooftop photovoltaic system or another renewable electricity source. A dedicated 300 kW charging station was installed on-site, fully replenishing the e-truck in 180 minutes. "We're currently exploring how best to integrate the e-truck into our daily operations because, with a 400-kilometer range, it's not suitable for all routes," notes Robert Renz, Team lead Fleet & Mobility Management.

The objectives for our “Green Distribution” project are threefold – to increase customer satisfaction, reduce CO2-emissions and avoid extensive increases in transport costs. Feedback from our customers and commercial partners has been extremely positive, with the potential to expand our business in this area.

“Green Distribution” is an important milestone on the Teva path to CO2-neutral logistics, combining innovation, efficiency, quality and sustainability.

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