Ivoclar, a dental company based in Liechtenstein, has partnered with Swiss firm SkyCell to optimize logistics by using SkyCell’s refrigerated air freight containers. These containers, designed for medical devices, typically travel empty on their return from the USA to Zurich. Now, Ivoclar will fill these containers with its own products made in Somerset, New Jersey, for distribution in Europe. This collaboration aims to prevent the waste of empty cargo space, known as dead freight, thereby enhancing freight efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Paulo Baumgartner, Head of Operations Supplier & Procurement at SkyCell, noted that incorporating Ivoclar’s products into these containers aligns with their goal of achieving climate neutrality by significantly lowering CO2 emissions. SkyCell’s innovative containers have previously been used solely to transport medical goods from various producers to the USA.
The initiative, launched officially in February 2024 after a successful pilot in December 2023, is expected to save around 350 tons of CO2 annually. It is supported by logistics partners such as DSV Air & Sea and Fischer Road Cargo, facilitating the distribution of these goods throughout Europe once they arrive in Zurich. This strategy not only offers economic benefits but also contributes to the sustainability efforts of both companies.