Kuehne+Nagel, Novo Nordisk expand global partnership into low-carbon fuels

Photo: Kuehne+Nagel

Novo Nordisk, one of the leading healthcare companies in the world, is partnering with Kuehne+Nagel to drive the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Kuehne+Nagel announced Oct. 20.

This will be a step towards meeting the ambitious Novo Nordisk target to reach zero CO2 emissions from operations and transport by 2030.

With the deployment of 12 million liters (3.17 million gallons) of SAF, Novo Nordisk will be able to replace fossil fuel for all Kuehne+Nagel air-freight shipments in 2022.

Having set ambitious carbon-reduction targets, Kuehne+Nagel actively supports customers with their transition to a low-carbon business model by providing various solutions for reducing or avoiding carbon emissions.

As one of the key activities, Kuehne+Nagel continues to invest into the adoption of alternative aviation fuels and expand its offering.

Novo Nordisk chose the Kuehne+Nagel sustainable fuel solution to reduce the environmental footprint of its air-freight shipments in 2022.

The use of 12 million liters of Kuehne+Nagel SAF for all Novo Nordisk air freight avoids direct emission of around 30,000 metric tons of CO2.

Such commitment underlines a growing demand for low carbon shipping options, leading to an increase in the production, development and deployment of SAF.

In this effort, Kuehne+Nagel has been actively raising awareness across the industry by promoting the importance of sustainable fuels as the most effective measure to reduce the environmental footprint of air freight.

“Novo Nordisk is not only leading the way in driving change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases, but also in their shipping by using sustainable options,” said Yngve Ruud, member of the management board of Kuehne+Nagel responsible for air logistics. “I am pleased that with our global SAF solutions, customers can easily switch to low-carbon air transport. It’s another step on the way to the zero-impact goal and yet another signal for more sustainable fuel production and use globally.”

Dorethe Nielsen, vice president of corporate environmental strategy at Novo Nordisk, added, “This is yet another step in Novo Nordisk’s continuous support of the development of sustainable aviation fuel. Our air freight accounts for most of our product distribution emissions as we provide life-saving medicines to patients around the world. We want to drive change in this area to help pave the way for other companies to also transition and cut emissions.”

By joining the Science Based Targets initiative, Kuehne+Nagel has set ambitious environmental goals in transitioning to a low-carbon business model. This is done by reducing the company’s own carbon emissions and supporting its customers with their transition.