Logistics are a key aspect of the chemical industry as production and consumption locations are mostly separated. Efficient, competitive and sustainable logistics are therefore of great importance for its future development. Logistics are typically quite agile, flexible and adjustable and as such, provide opportunities to respond to market changes quickly and effectively. In Chemical Logistics, sea and road represent the biggest share in terms of tonne-kilometres as well as CO2 emissions
Average transport emission factors
Share of Different Transport Modes in Chemical Logistics
(estimate based on Cefic survey with input from 12 major chemical companies)
· Maritime and pipeline transport is relatively “clean”, followed by rail, barge and road transport.
· Road and pipelines are the main transport modes in terms of volume. Sea and road represent the biggest share in terms of tonne-kilometres. Road and sea have the highest share of CO2 emissions.
· Switching to greener transport modes and reducing the speed of transport with longer lead times will have an impact on chemical supply chains.
· A combination of many actions will be needed to reduce emissions.
· Introduction of carbon taxes or market-based measures will increase the cost of transport.