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~ Spring GDS ~

A UNIQUE INITIATIVE:

POSTNL AND SPRING GDS REDUCE 90% OF

THEIR INTERNATIONAL ROAD EMISSIONS BY

ADDING FOUR MILLION LITRES IN BIOFUELS

(HVO100) TO THE EUROPEAN DIESELNETWORK!

Text: Rutger Vonk, Spring ESG Programme Manager // Photos: Spring GDS

Freight transport plays a crucial role in our global economy. Did you know, for instance,
that our sector is responsible for 16.2% of all global greenhouse gas emissions? Every year,
billions of tons of freight are transported all over the world by trucks, airplanes, ships, and

trains. To illustrate, if we make no effort to change our way of doing business, predictions
show that our sector’s emissions will be four times higher in 2050 due to the increase in
e-commerce and growing economies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Even if other
energy sectors reduce their use of fossil fuels, almost all freight transport runs on oil and gas.
If we continue as usual, freight transport will become the highest emitting sector by 2050. 1

n collaboration with PostNL, Spring Global
Delivery Solutions is taking a significant step WHAT IS HVO100?
Itoward more sustainable and cleaner delivery. HVO100, which stands for “100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil”, is a renewable
To show how much the company cares about Planet fuel for diesel engines. It is produced from vegetable oils, waste and
Earth, this Earth Day they officially introduced residues, and other organic materials. Compared to regular diesel, HVO100
HVO100 to the European network. This day was emits up to 90% less CO2 because it utilizes sustainable resources.
about supporting the planet and raising awareness
around environmental protection. The production of HVO involves treating these materials through hydro
From now on Spring and PostNL will annually add processing and hydrogenation. The result is a colourless, odourless diesel
approximately 4 million litres of HVO100 (Hydrotreated with the same composition as regular diesel. You can use HVO100 directly in
Vegetable Oil) to the European diesel network for road your diesel car.
transport. This move is expected to reduce CO2 emissions
by up to 12 kilotons per year, equivalent to the emissions PostNL/Spring GDS also pays attention to the origin of the biofuels they use.
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from 5000 gasoline-powered cars driving for a year . Spring For HVO100, no trees are cut down; only waste and residual materials are
GDS is committed to the maximum reduction of our carbon utilized in its production.
footprint and to be net-zero by 2040.
WHERE DOES THE HVO100 COME FROM?
PostNL already prioritize walking, cycling, and using electric HVO100 can be produced from several types of raw materials, known as
vehicles for letter and package deliveries in the Netherlands. feedstocks, sourced from around the world. We meticulously verify the
Additionally, they use HVO100 renewable fuels for large- sustainability of the raw materials with each purchase. We require Proof of
scale transportation where vehicles are not yet electrified. Sustainability and prioritize ISCC-certified products. We avoid materials that
HVO100 significantly reduces emissions of harmful could also be used for consumption, ensuring no additional agricultural land
substances such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides is required and minimizing their impact on food production.
(NOx), and particulate matter, emitting up to 90% less CO2
than regular diesel.
electric trucks is still underdeveloped and the availability of
Unique and major move forwards HVO100 outside the Netherlands is very limited. However,
For international long-distance road transport, sustainability there’s a solution: HVO100 can be integrated into the
is even more challenging: The range and infrastructure for existing European diesel network. PostNL and Spring, in

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