Saint-Gobain Abrasives Decarbonizes Transport

In September 2019, Saint-Gobain announced its objective of carbon neutrality by 2050. Vehicle emissions are integrated into this objective, particularly the purchase of materials and energy, and the upstream and downstream transportation.

Since then, measures have been taken to reduce the carbon footprint across EMEA significantly. Two single deck trucks previously used for transporting products between our European Distribution Centre in The Netherlands and manufacturing plant in France, previously powered by diesel, have been switched to unique double deck trailers powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), saving 195 tonnes of CO₂ since March 2021. A further switch to biogas in Q3 2021 will see an estimated saving of 725 tonnes in a full year, a reduction of 90% vs. diesel! Plans are now in place to deploy these trucks (as well as hydrogen powered trucks) for many other routes in Saint-Gobain European network. Use of the rail network is also being considered to further reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Additionally, trucks have also been replaced with barges for the regular transportation of goods between Le Havre port and the Saint-Gobain Abrasives plant in France, with 35 containers moved in this way, seeing already 45 tons of CO₂ saved this year.

The reduction in CO₂ emissions will be measured using the “EcoTransIT” tool, which will also be used in partnership with our carriers and freight forwarders, starting 2022. It will bring greater visibility and better reliability of the impact and progress from our transportation decarbonisation plans.  It will also ensure that Saint-Gobain sustainability goals are assimilated by its supply chain.

Remy Ninin
Transport Manager Saint-Gobain Abrasives, EMEA