DHL Global Forwarding, Freight and Alexion, Astra Zeneca Rare Disease are intensifying their collaboration. The companies have been working together since 2015 to improve sustainability. The two partners want to use hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diesel in the European road transport of pharmaceutical products.

HVO is to be used in around 500 pharmaceutical shipments to ten countries each year

The use of HVO, one of DHL's sustainable transport approaches, is expected to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 per cent compared to diesel. The initiative includes both domestic and international shipments from the Dublin and Athlone locations. Maurice Meade, Managing Director at DHL Global Forwarding, Freight Ireland, explains: "This is another step in the right direction as we strive to run more sustainable operations for our customers that reduce the inherent Greenhouse emissions in transporting goods. We are delighted to see Alexion be one of the trailblazers to make this significant switch in approach and thereby follow-up on their sustainability goals with clear actions".

Alexion is committed to sustainable pharmaceutical logistics

With this step, Alexion is taking on a pioneering role in the Irish pharmaceutical industry. Sylvia Kiely, Vice President - Global Supply Chain and Product Strategy Lead at Alexion, Astra Zeneca Rare Disease, emphasises the great importance of the initiative: "Today's announcement with DHL to move from Diesel to HVO fuel is another milestone in our commitment to reducing our environmental impact, and dependency on fossil fuels within our global supply chain in relation to Scope 3. By working with our partners such as DHL to extend eco-conscious practices to our full freight network, we can further minimize our environmental impact and dependency on fossil fuels within our global supply chain."

Partnership in line with DHL's sustainability strategy

The partnership fits seamlessly into the sustainability strategy of DHL Group. It aims to reduce all logistics-related emissions to net zero by 2050. This should make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of transport and logistics. With 500 HVO-based shipments a year to ten European countries, the collaboration between DHL Global Forwarding, Freight and Alexion, Astra Zeneca Rare Disease sets a new standard for sustainable logistics in the pharmaceutical industry.