Kuehne+Nagel fuels forklifts with HVO at five German fair grounds
How many forklifts does it take to change a lightbulb? It could be the start of a joke to which we hope the answer is less impressive than our own fun fact. Did you know that for the logistics behind the Bauma Munich exhibition in 2022, Kuehne+Nagel's Expo and Event Logistics team deployed 144 forklifts which together logged 2704 working hours?
Indeed, forklifts play a crucial role on fair grounds and log many kilometres to get booths and provisions on the right spot ( also at trade fairs that are less sizable than Bauma, which ranks among the largest exhibitions in Europe). And while their electric versions are increasingly common, there are still many non-electric forklifts which for operational reasons, or simply because they haven't reached their end of life yet, circulate in the fair ground traffic.
To drive sustainable logistics practices in the exhibition logistics industry, Kuehne+Nagel is pioneering an initiative at five exhibition centres in Germany where the company is the official logistics partner. Its purpose is to reduce emissions from forklifts.
In Hamburg, Hannover, Düsseldorf, Munich and Nuremberg, the entire forklift fleet will be fueled with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as of March 1st, completely replacing diesel. HVO, which is derived from renewable resources, is a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels with the potential to reduce emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel. The initiative complements the energy savings from a digital planning tool that has been in place for a while to optimise the usage of forklifts and minimise empty runs.
Denis Gerlach, National Expo and Event Logistics Manager Germany, said: "Kuehne+Nagel's adoption of HVO100 at German trade fair venues underscores the company's commitment to environmental responsibility. By integrating this renewable fuel into our operations, Kuehne+Nagel is not only reducing carbon emissions but also setting a commendable example for the exhibition logistics industry. This initiative also aligns with Germany's push towards cleaner energy solutions."
This initiative is a concrete step in line with our Roadmap 2026’s commitment to offering innovative and sustainable logistics solutions.
With over 80,000 employees at almost 1,300 sites in close to 100 countries, the Kuehne+Nagel Group is one of the world's leading logistics providers. Headquartered in Switzerland, Kuehne+Nagel is listed in the Swiss blue-chip stock market index, the SMI. The Group is the global number one in air and sea logistics and has strong market positions in road and contract logistics.
Kuehne+Nagel is the logistics partner of choice for 400,000 customers worldwide. Using its global network, logistics expertise and data-based insights, the Group provides end-to-end supply chain solutions for global companies and industries. As a member of the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), Kuehne+Nagel is committed to sustainable logistics by reducing its own environmental footprint and by supporting its customers with low-carbon logistics solutions.