Buzz words such as “climate friendly” are becoming a reality as global supply chain operators address and implement environmental conscientious schemes.
German third party operators are particularly embracing environmentally friendly operations as is represented by Rhenus Logistics and its distribution centre in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The DC, which opened in November 2018, is dubbed “The Tube” due to its cylindrical design.
The nearly 60,500 square metre centre is considered one of the most sustainable warehouse in Europe and the second most sustainable building in the world, largely because of its airtight outer shell, solar-powered energy, use of sustainable materials, automatically dimming lights, heat pumps and e-boilers. Two large pumps on its roof draw heat from outside air that is used to keep the inside of the building warm.
With 13,640 solar panels covering an area of 18,580 square metres, the site produces not only enough energy to power its own production, but also feeds back into the country’s general supply lines – powering approximately 750 households on an annual basis.
“We are an energy producer with enough excess power to feed 750 houses annually,” said Alphons van Erven, senior vice president at Rhenus. The solar panels provide 4.2 megawatts of power, although van Erven said that the building currently consumes less than 1 megawatt per year.
In May 2019, the facility received the highest-ever rating (99.48%) for an industrial building from British sustainability assessors BREEAM.
Other key features of The Tube are its more than 1,000 sensors that control lights and doors. A large awing created by the shape of the building on the south side acts as a sunblind for the office and the Vas flooring behind it ensures a pleasant work environment.
“Natural lighting in the warehouse uses 70% less electricity,” van Erven added. “Our air system measures CO2 levels in each room and generates enough fresh air from outside to ventilate the warehouse.”
The building is further characterized by its flexibility, compartmentation, high floor loading and 45 dock doors.
Particularly noteworthy is a recently installed AutoStore system that provides automated order picking and storage and operates over a surface area of 1,000 square metres. The system, provided by Swisslog, is equipped with 21,000 containers, 19 robots, two infeed and three order-picking ports that assist in further improving the accuracy of its ordering picking.
“We have space to double the operation,” said van Erven. He explained that the operation focuses on continuous improvement for the high tech and medical tech customers it serves. “They expect us to take a sustainable lead in warehousing,” he said.
Given the success of The Tube, van Erven reveals that Rhenus plans to continue such efficient and sustainable concepts at its operation in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, where expansion is expected in the next three years. He said that Rhenus may even want to export the model to other Rhenus facilities worldwide.
Other examples
Germany-based DB Schenker also offers an example of 3PL efforts to address global climate change. In December, DB Schenker opened its first fully solar-powered logistics center in Dubai.
The temperature-controlled facility is a 33,000 square metre distribution centre known as DLC II and is entirely powered by solar energy. Located close to Al Maktoum International Airport, the centre operates a central regional logistics hub for customers that include Unilever.
The facility has space for 90,000 Euro pallets in an area of 33,000 square metres and has a 3,000 square metre mezzanine for value-added services.
“We use resources in an ecologically sensible way in order to reduce CO2 emissions and costs,” said Xavier Garijo, member of the DB Schenker board for contract logistics. “Sustainability is a competitive advantage for our customers and for us.”
The centre is one of a series of Eco Warehouses at DB Schenker; others are located in Singapore, Helsinki, Klagenfurt, Tilburg and Dortmund. In addition, the 3PL is also converting other DB Schenker warehouses to LED lighting.
In May last year, DB Schenker also opened its first low-carbon DC in Oslo, Norway, in what is known as the new Oslo City Hub due to its central location. Being centrally located in the city allows for the centre to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by using electric cars and e-bikes.
Oslo City Hub is part of Electric City, the Oslo district’s focus on activities associated with its status as European Green Capital 2019. DB Schenker is aiming to achieve zero emissions in all city distribution in Norway by the end of 2020. The Oslo City Hub project is the first blueprint of how to achieve this.
Other sustainable warehouses keep coming online in Europe as nation’s there work to reduce their carbon footprints. Another example is Nike’s distribution centre, which opened in September 2019. This DC, located in Ham, Belgium, is powered entirely by renewable energy. Located in Ham, Belgium, the Court Distribution Center – known as the Court – is part of the shoe and apparel manufacturer’s move to zero carbon and zero waste.
At nearly 140,000 square metres, the DC runs on wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass power. The building was also constructed using a rack-supported structure that Nike representatives say required less steel and concrete, minimizing waste and reducing material used in the construction process.
Also making the DC sustainable is its use of canal transport rather than over-the-road trucking. Some 99% of its containers are shipped via barge, thereby eliminating 14,000 truck journeys.
The green advantage
Site selection consultants concur that such efforts that offer a green advantage are the right thing to do.
“Sustainable, high performing facilities do not have to cost more,” says Rod Oathout, principal at DLR Group, a global architecture and engineering firm. “A holistic approach to design that harnesses natural resources can elevate the performance of a building and provide a more productive work environment.”
Van Erven at Rhenus concurs with that statement. He and other Rhenus Logistics officials at the Tilberg facility are finding that The Tube’s design is attractive to workers.
“That’s a plus in today’s tight labour market and competitive business climate,” he said. “Its environment is calming, and its materials are impressive to sustainability-conscious clients.”
He also adds: “Most of our clients expect Rhenus to take a sustainable lead in warehouse development.”
By Karen E. Thuermer
Correspondent | Washington
