Alexion, DHL Express join forces in Ireland’s first 100% switch to SAF
100% sustainable aviation fuel will be used across all Alexion European routes, covering shipments to 19 countries.
Sylvia Kiely, Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Product Strategy Lead, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease and Brian Murray, Commercial & Same Day Director, DHL Express Ireland.
Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, and DHL Express announced a partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the air freight of highly specialised medicines manufactured in Ireland.
"Alexion is the first company in Ireland to sign up to a 100 percent switch from traditional aviation fuel to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The alternative fuel will reduce GHG emissions by over 80 percent on average compared to traditional aviation fuel. The greener fuel will be switched on all European air freight shipments across 19 European countries," says an official release from DHL.
Provided through the DHL GoGreen Plus service, SAF is used as a substitute to conventional fuel and can readily be used as a drop-in replacement in aircraft without the need for modifications to aircraft engines. Produced from waste and residue-based feedstock, such as used cooking oil, SAF has improved sustainability compared to traditional fossil jet fuel which is primarily derived from crude oil, the release added.
"Moving our air freight to sustainable aviation fuel is an important milestone in reaching our Scope 3 targets, with the ambition of being science-based net zero by 2045. Through our partnership with DHL Express we've signed up immediately to a 100 percent change in fuel, rather than scaling up over time, which demonstrates how seriously we take environmental stewardship," says Sylvia Kiely, Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Product Strategy Lead, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.
Brian Murray, Commercial & Same Day Director, DHL Express Ireland adds: "We are thrilled to partner with Alexion. Our GoGreen Plus service using emission-reduced sustainable aviation fuel demonstrates the tangible impact of collaborative efforts to decarbonise the logistics industry and support our customers in achieving their sustainability goals. This initiative aligns perfectly with DHL's sustainability strategy and our goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050."
Countries receiving the medicines under the GoGreen Plus service include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Guernsey, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, the release added.
