Alexion, DHL Express join forces in Ireland’s 1st 100% switch to SAF for international air delivery of medicines

From left, Kiely and Murray. (Photo: DHL)

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease and DHL Express announced Feb. 12 a partnership in a bid to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions (GHG) from the air freight of highly specialized 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).

This 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.

Provided through the DHL GoGreen Plus service, SAF is used as a substitute for 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. 

Reducing the GHG emissions associated with the transport of medicinal products is an important part of AstraZeneca’s wider sustainability strategy.

This includes partnerships across the healthcare sector focusing on supply-chain decarbonization.

From 2030, the aim is to halve the entire value-chain footprint (absolute scope 3 GHG emissions), from a 2019 base year, on the way to becoming science-based net zero by 2045.

“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,” said Sylvia Kiely, the vice president of global supply chain and product strategy lead with Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.

“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,” Kiely said.

Brian Murray, DHL Express Ireland’s commercial and same-day director, added, “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 decarbonize 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 U.K.