Alexion and DHL Express Lead with 100% Transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Europe

Alexion and DHL Express Lead with 100% Transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Europe

(IN BRIEF) Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, has partnered with DHL Express to become the first company in Ireland to fully transition its air freight operations to 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This switch will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% compared to traditional aviation fuel and is part of Alexion’s broader goal to decarbonize its global supply chain. The move aligns with AstraZeneca’s sustainability strategy, aiming to cut Scope 3 emissions in half by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2045. The new initiative will cover shipments to 19 European countries under DHL’s GoGreen Plus service.

(PRESS RELEASE) DUBLIN/BONN, 12-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, has made a significant step in its sustainability efforts by becoming the first company in Ireland to fully transition its air freight operations to 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This groundbreaking move, in partnership with DHL Express, aims to reduce the environmental impact of transporting highly specialized medicines manufactured in Ireland, covering shipments to 19 European countries.

The shift to SAF, which will be used across all of Alexion’s European air freight routes, will lead to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—an average cut of over 80% when compared to traditional aviation fuel. This aligns with Alexion’s commitment to decarbonizing its global supply chain as part of AstraZeneca’s broader sustainability strategy.

SAF, provided through DHL’s GoGreen Plus service, is a direct replacement for conventional aviation fuel and can be used in existing aircraft engines without the need for modifications. It is produced from waste and residue-based feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, making it a more sustainable alternative to fossil-based jet fuel, which is derived from crude oil.

The move is an integral part of AstraZeneca’s strategy to significantly reduce GHG emissions across its value chain, with the goal of halving its Scope 3 emissions by 2030 (compared to 2019 levels) and achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. Sylvia Kiely, Vice President of Global Supply Chain and Product Strategy Lead at Alexion, commented, “Switching our air freight to Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a pivotal milestone in meeting our Scope 3 emissions targets and our science-based net-zero ambition for 2045. Our immediate adoption of a 100% fuel switch—rather than a gradual scale-up—underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship.”

Brian Murray, Commercial & Same Day Director at DHL Express Ireland, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We’re excited to collaborate with Alexion on this important initiative. Our GoGreen Plus service, utilizing SAF, showcases the power of partnerships to decarbonize the logistics industry and help our customers achieve their sustainability objectives. This is a perfect fit with DHL’s sustainability goals, including our aim to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.”

The medicines will be delivered under the GoGreen Plus service to countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom, among others.

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SOURCE: DHL Group