Through innovative low-carbon logistics, LPR is helping Carlsberg Britvic achieve its green ambitions
LPR and Carlsberg Britvic first began their partnership in 2020 – a project that demonstrated collaborative working from the outset, particularly as it was founded during the Covid pandemic.
“One of our core elements at Carlsberg Britvic is our sustainability strategy,” explained Charlie Judge, Network Execution Manager at Carlsberg Britvic.
“This strategy means that we are responsible in our use of natural resources, and are always working to reduce our impact on the environment. This was an important consideration which supported our decision to move to LPR from our then pallet pooling supplier for soft drinks. LPR had a strong intention to help us to create significant carbon dioxide savings in our network – and they have done just that.”
The project which uses longer trailers and alternative fuels to move LPR’s pallets, was initially rolled out at one of Carlsberg Britvic’s largest soft drinks sites in the UK (Rugby). It has since been rolled out to their Leeds site, with plans underway to transfer its final soft drinks site to the new system.
The move has led to:
- A 90 percent reduction in carbon dioxide gasses across two soft drinks factories
- 5 tonnes of carbon dioxide saved between October 2023 and September 2024
Each month, the haulier confirms which routes are using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as fuel into the Rugby and Leeds sites. LPR then calculates the average kilometres travelled, multiplies this by its delivery emission factor (carbon dioxide equivalent per kilometre, based on tank-to-wheel emissions), and applies the average carbon reduction percentage when comparing HVO to diesel.
The process
The operation involved two key steps. Firstly, longer trailers were introduced which could carry 600 pallets per trip, rather than 468. Once this was tested and proved successful in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the second step was implemented: switching to trucks powered by the biofuel Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil.
Progress was closely monitored throughout to ensure sustainability goals were being met.
Integrating the data
LPR provides monthly reports to Carlsberg Britvic as part of its transparent way of working. To track the success of the partnership, monthly carbon dioxide figures are provided. This information is then shared within the business, enabling Carlsberg Britvic to track how this initiative supports their targets to cut carbon emissions.
Simon Wood, Operations Director at LPR UK and Ireland, said: “Carlsberg Britvic and LPR’s history of partnership working means that they were open to trusting us, not only with meeting their pallet supply, but also with creating carbon dioxide savings. By choosing pallet pooling with LPR for the soft drinks side of its business, Carlsberg Britvic leverage cost savings, greater network efficiencies and transport optimisation – and now, significant carbon dioxide savings.”
Andrew Diston, Country Manager LPR UK & Ireland, added: “Working with businesses such as sector leaders like Carlsberg Britvic reinforces that LPR itself is a market leading business. In this case, we were able to identify and create substantial carbon savings and efficiencies for Carlsberg Britvic in their soft drinks business, and I very much look forward to seeing where this process takes us next!”
