On 12 November 2024, the ICEX auditorium hosted the conference “Sustainable logistics: energy transition and innovation”, organised in collaboration between Logistop, the Integrated Logistics, Intermodality and Mobility Technology Platform, and ICEX Spain Export and Investment. The event, led by María Sacristán, head of the Logistics Sector at ICEX, brought together sustainability experts from the logistics sector to discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by the transition to a more sustainable model.
Marta Valero, Director of Infrastructures and Technology for Industry at ICEX, opened the event by highlighting the central role of logistics as the backbone of the value chain. Valero warned that the sector faces important challenges, such as rising costs and the need to respond to growing competition, all within a framework in which sustainability is already an essential pillar. However, he said these challenges are also an opportunity for transformation. ‘Sustainability will affect the entire value chain and will require adaptation and change at all levels, but changes can be turned into an opportunity,’ Valero stressed.
José Andrés Giménez, Vice President of R&D&I at Logistop, reinforced the idea that sustainability is not just a long-term goal, but an immediate priority. ‘Logistics must move towards more sustainable models, and we cannot rely solely on technological advances to achieve this,’ explained Giménez, who advocated a mindset of change that explores innovative solutions in the short term. He also stressed that sustainability should not be seen solely as a technological issue, but as a holistic approach that combines different measures and solutions based on innovation.
Energy transition in perspective
The keynote speaker, Juan Carlos de Pablo, coordinator of Logistop’s decarbonisation and sustainability working group, analysed the main barriers to the energy transition. Based on a real-time survey with the public, de Pablo highlighted that the biggest barriers to the transition are economic and social, while technological barriers are less significant. For him, this perception reflects that technology, while essential, needs to be accompanied by cultural and economic changes. He also gave an overview of the energy transition, explaining, among other points, that it will not depend on a single solution, but on the combination and hybridisation of various technologies.
Business models for a new international logistics
Moderated by Aitor Ojanguren, founder Koiki, this round table explored how business models can evolve in line with sustainable logistics. María I. Cubillo, Managing Director of SinCeO2 Consultora Energética, underlined that energy savings not only reduce environmental impact, but can also be a source of revenue thanks to Energy Saving Certificates. According to Cubillo, these incentives transform energy savings into a tangible economic opportunity for companies.
Joao Saint-Aubyn, VP of Analytics Strategy at Wiimer.com, provided insight into how predictive technology can transform the sector. ‘Logistics is one of the sectors that has adopted technology the most, but predictive models are key to optimising routes and adapting to changing needs, regulations and operational constraints,’ said Saint-Aubyn. He pointed out that optimisation is not only limited to routes, but also to the management of resources, personnel and warehouses, among others, with the aim of reducing operational costs and improving overall efficiency.
Paula de la Fuente Blanco, Head of Hydrogen at Alpiq for Iberia, discussed the role of hydrogen in the energy transition and explained a success story being developed in Switzerland. ‘Our business model focuses on hydrogen production for the decarbonisation of industry and transport, and we already have a success story in Switzerland that demonstrates its viability in the European context,’ she explained.
International success stories
During the course of the day, we learned about the experience of Gebrüder Weiss from Peter Waldenberger, Head of Quality and Environmental Management, and the internationalisation case of On Energy from Eduardo Cano, CEO of the company. Successful cases that show us that sustainability and innovation can be an engine of growth for the logistics sector at an international level.
Preparing for the transport of the future
Moderated by Fernando Bernabé, Head of Mobility Solutions at Ecoinversol, ethis round table addressed the challenges and trends for sustainable transport. Manuel Arias, Head of Sustainable Transport at Scania Ibérica, emphasised the diversity of technological solutions available, highlighting that the electric truck is currently the most developed and efficient option, although it requires a charging infrastructure that has yet to be deployed. He also mentioned biomethane as a promising technology that, with the right incentives, can play an important role in sustainable transport.
Carlos Salinas, Head of Mobility at Molgas, explained that cost is still the main priority for transport companies, although the demand for emission reductions and sustainability certifications is on the rise. For Salinas, biofuels are the most feasible option for reducing emissions in long-distance transport, although he warned that it is necessary to harmonise certification processes at European level.
Francesc Figueras Rafecas, Transport Manager at InPost for Iberia, stressed the importance of data to optimise the supply chain. In his opinion, big data and digitalisation make it possible to adjust operations in real time and promote a circular supply chain model. Figueras stressed that there is no single solution for sustainability in logistics, so it is essential to test and adapt different technologies to the needs of each market, always with a collaborative approach.
European regulations: Boost or barrier to sustainable logistics?
The last round table, moderated byJosé Andrés Giménez, Vice President of R&D&I at Logistop, focused on the impact of European regulations on progress towards sustainable logistics. Fernando Liesa, Secretary General of ALICE – Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe – ETP LOGISTICS, reminded that sustainability must have an economic focus to be viable and that companies must adapt with agility to changing regulations. Liesa emphasised that adapting to these regulations will be a decisive factor in the success or failure of logistics companies in the future.
Ramón Valdivia, Executive Vice President of ASTIC – Asociación del Transporte Internacional por Carretera, stressed that the existing legislative morass is causing the ageing of the vehicle fleet and is going in the opposite direction to the objectives of sustainability. He also pointed out that, at the moment, legislation is putting a brake on innovation. ‘If we are economically sustainable, we will also be socially and environmentally sustainable,’ he concluded.
Ramón García, Managing Director of the Centro Español de Logística – CEL, suggested that regulation should be based on data and a collaborative approach. ‘We need a more comprehensive understanding of the reality of the sector. Current regulation is implemented from the top down and would be more effective if it were data-driven and solutions were co-created with the participation of all stakeholders,’ he explained. García advocated that deadlines and targets should be accompanied by realistic plans and specific incentives to help companies comply with the new requirements.
For more information on the event, please contact Iris Amado, Communications and Marketing at Logistop, at iris.amado@logistop.org.
About Logistop
At Logistop we transform the supply chain through innovation, helping industry and companies to become more efficient and sustainable.
We are a multidisciplinary and inter-territorial working space in the logistics innovation arena formed by all the actors involved in the supply chain, as well as universities, technology centres, associations and specialised consultancy firms.
One of Logistop’s main objectives is:
- To promote the need for innovation among companies involved in the logistics sector;
- To promote innovation projects;
- To communicate the real needs of the sector at an institutional level.