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Low carbon air freight

A pioneer in technology and engineering, Atlas Copco leads the way in creating a responsible supply chain with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) solutions.

Summary
Results

A pioneer in technology and engineering, Atlas Copco is the world's leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. Their products range from generators and pumps to power tools and assembly systems.

One of the main logistic pillars of the Atlas Copco group is Power Tools Distribution. From a central location in Limburg, Belgium, they support customers with worldwide distribution of spare parts and equipment that are primarily used in electronics, automotive, energy and aerospace sectors.

Air freight is an important mode of transport for quick delivery to the end customers, especially in cases where new machinery or urgent spare parts are required.

For more than 10 years, Kuehne+Nagel has been a strategic partner of Atlas Copco’s Power Tools Distribution. We ensure the reliability of inbound and outbound volumes and provide quick service for Atlas Copco’s customers, even amidst fluctuating air freight capacity.

While innovation and delivering high-quality products and services have always been part of the company’s core values, sustainability is an integral part of Atlas Copco’s mission.

“Service is one of our strategic pillars within the Atlas Copco group. That is why we work with companies who share the same passion for their product and high standards regarding service, reliability and sustainability.”

Kurt Andries

General Manager of Power Tools Distribution

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Sustainable solutions for a better tomorrow

Aligned with science-based targets (Paris Agreement on Climate Change), Atlas Copco created an ambitious sustainability program. The company incorporates renewable energy into its operations while striving to create products and solutions that reduce customers' climate impact.

Atlas Copco made a deliberate choice for sustainable fuel use as it is currently the most effective measure to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of air freight.

The carbon lifecycle of SAF is circular and allows for the reuse of waste or biomass and emissions. With characteristics almost identical to those of conventional jet fuel, SAF is an essential pillar on the way to CO2-neutral flying. It is capable of reducing the amount of additional carbon introduced into the global carbon cycle by at least 75%.

Kuehne+Nagel’s team offered an SAF solution to support Atlas Copco's ambitious sustainability goals.

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Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) solutions

Learn about sustainable fuel, bio and Power-to-liquid (PtL) types, production methods and benefits.

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Implementing the SAF solution is not only easy—it’s instant, achieving an immediate reduction of the carbon footprint globally.

Here’s how we did it for Atlas Copco:

  • Sustainability specialists calculated the jet fuel kerosene consumption retrospectively from Atlas Copco’s air freight shipments

  • Substituted SAF for the calculated amount. Atlas Copco purchased 250,000 litres of SAF for part of their air freight transportation from Belgium to the US and Brazil

  • Shortly thereafter, they received the official Kuehne+Nagel certificate stating the amount of SAF used and CO2 emissions that were successfully reduced

“It's important that we can rely on our partners to support our sustainable roadmap and help us achieve our goals. Only by working with companies that share the same environmental ambitions will we be able to be successful. We are very excited to take this first step towards the usage of sustainable aviation fuel together with Kuehne+Nagel.”

Sofie Creemers

Transport & Shipping Manager of Power Tool Distribution.