Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  August 16, 2022

BMW Group Backs Sustainable Packaging In Logistics

The BMW Group implemented several projects in its packaging logistics to further save resources and aims to work closely with suppliers to reduce carbon emissions and realize the principles of the circular economy.

As part of this initiative, the European plants will use more recycled material in their packaging. This will mean that, for newly awarded contracts, the proportion of recycled material in reusable packaging for logistics purposes will almost double this year from around 20% to over 35%.

Using alternative sustainable materials, reducing single-use packaging, introducing lightweight packaging in certain areas and reducing transport volumes will also help cut carbon emissions. The BMW Group is monitoring the impact of individual measures via a CO2 calculator for packaging. The Group’s overall aim is to reduce CO2 emissions in the supply chain by 20% per vehicle compared to 2019.

 “Our ‘re:think, re:duce, re:use, re:cycle’ approach is being implemented consistently in packaging logistics, too,” said Michael Nikolaides, Head of the BMW Group Production Network and Logistics in a statement. We’re using innovative strategies to consistently reduce the volume of resources we use, thus reducing our carbon footprint.”

One example of how the BMW Group is fulfilling the criteria of a circular economy is the use of recycled material in EPP packaging (EPP = expanded polypropylene). Using 25% recycled material allows BMW to save almost 280 tons of CO2 annually. There are plans to increase this proportion of recycled material even further, with the first pilot schemes with 100% recycled material currently underway. If these tests are successful, this configuration will become standard for new contracts from 2024.

 An additional 680 tons of carbon emissions savings can be made every year by using covers and so-called small load carriers with 50% recycled contents.