Otsuka Pharmaceutical joins Tokyo project to promote use of SAF in air-cargo transportation

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. announced Aug. 9 that it will participate in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Promotion Project led by the Tokyo metropolitan government in Japan.

Otsuka’s participation will be as a consignor of its U.S. pharmaceuticals shipments to Yusen Logistics, a cargo agent for this project.

Through participation in the project operated by the Tokyo government, Otsuka aims to reduce CO2 emissions in the supply chain beyond its direct control (scope 3), adding to the measures it has taken to reduce its own direct emissions (scope 1) and indirect emissions (scope 2).

This will be the first time for an Otsuka group company to use SAF for transportation of products from Japan to other countries, as it strives for environmental-impact reduction from a comprehensive perspective.

SAF is a type of fuel produced using biomass such as waste cooking oil or municipal waste.

As SAF uses waste products and renewable energy as feedstocks, it is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 percent to 80 percent compared to conventional jet fuel refined from crude oil. 

This project will support companies in Tokyo, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions across the entire supply chain of businesses.

As Yusen Logistics undertaking a portion of the air-cargo transportation for Otsuka’s medical products from Japan to the United States was selected as the cargo agent of this project, Otsuka will participate as a shipper.

The project will run from Aug. 5 until March 31, 2025.

Yusen Logistics will issue a greenhouse-gas emissions-reduction certificate to Otsuka through the Yusen book-and-claim service utilizing SAF.

The CO2 reduction during the period is expected to be up to 50 tons, which is estimated to be about an 80 percent reduction compared to conventional transport. 

Otsuka will continue to promote environmental-impact reduction initiatives through the use of new technologies and solutions and collaborate with business partners.