Improving the energy efficiency of bioMérieux’s international distribution center, as part of the expansion of the facilities
Contact Afep Improving the energy efficiency of bioMérieux’s international distribution center, as part of the expansion of
Reduction of CO2 emissions related to the transportation of refrigerated finished products
In order to reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation of its refrigerated finished products, bioMérieux is setting up a daily low-emissions shuttle between its Marcy L’Etoile and Craponne sites. The shuttle will be made up of a low-emissions tractor, and a refrigerated trailer powered by an all-electric motor.
Main project's drivers for reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Energy and resource efficiency
Energy Decarbonisation
Energy efficiency improvements
Improving efficiency in non-energy resources
Emissions removal
Financing low-carbon issuers or disinvestment from carbon assets
Reduction of other greenhouse gases emission
Project objectives
Reduce the CO2 emissions of a daily shuttle transporting refrigerated finished products between two sites (40 km/day, half urban / half suburban).
Detailed project description
bioMérieux wishes to minimize its carbon footprint over a short, but daily route, using little-tested technologies, and thus help the development of such innovations by giving them an opportunity (pioneering role). The innovative nature of this project is based on a combined action aimed at reducing the CO2 emissions of a tractor with refrigerated trailer.
In addition, through this project, bioMérieux wishes to support the efforts of its service provider (TFMO) in reducing the carbon footprint of its vehicle fleet, in particular by accepting risk management at its own level (uninterrupted transportation and temperature hold of finished products).
To reduce its carbon footprint on such a daily route, the following is planned:
- Replace a diesel-powered tractor with a low emissions tractor (technologies considered: hybrid and all-electric);
- Set up a refrigerated trailer with a refrigeration unit powered by an all-electric motor.
The tractor and trailer will be operated by TFMO, but the vehicle is intended for shuttle routes dedicated exclusively to bioMérieux activities.
As part of this project, the company must face several technical challenges:
- The battery life of the tractor battery pack (hybrid version): 10 km (to be determined for the all-electric version);
- The charging time of the various batteries; limited to the time that the vehicle is at the docks (loading/unloading time);
The power consumption and energy efficiency of the refrigerated trailer, whose doors are opened frequently during loading or unloading.
Emission scope(s)
on which the project has a significant impact
Scope 1
Direct emissions generated by the company's activity.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions associated with the company's electricity and heat consumption.
Scope 3
Emissions induced (upstream or downstream) by the company's activities, products and/or services in its value chain.
Emission Removal
Carbon sinks creation, (BECCS, CCU/S, …)
Avoided Emissions
Emissions avoided by the activities, products and/or services in charge of the project, or by the financing of emission reduction projects.
Scope 3 – Replacing diesel-powered means of transportation with electrically powered vehicles
Savings from tractor (hybrid solution): – 8.2 tCO2eq/yr
Savings from trailer: – 3.4 tCO2eq/yr
Route characteristics: 40 km/day, 50% urban, 50% suburban.
An all-diesel tractor emits 106 tCO2/year on this route. The use of a hybrid solution makes it possible to reduce diesel consumption (about 11 l/day) and save nearly 8.2 tCO2eq/year.
Cold production using an electric motor also allows a reduction in diesel consumption (about 5 l/day) amounting to nearly 3.4 tCO2eq/year.
The emissions factor of the diesel used is taken to be equal to 3.25 kgCO2eq/l.
Key points
Invested amount
> 500 k€
Starting date of the project
Launch of study in 2019. Commissioning of shuttle scheduled for November 2021.
Project localisation
Implementation of a shuttle between the bioMérieux sites of Marcy-l’Etoile (69) and Craponne (69).
Project maturity level
Prototype laboratory test (TRL 7)
Real life testing (TRL 7-8)
Pre-commercial prototype (TRL 9)
Small-scale implementation
Medium to large scale implementation
Economic profitability of the project (ROI)
Short term (0-3 years)
Middle term (4-10 years)
Long term (> 10 years)
Illustrations of the project
The project contributes to the following SDGs:
- SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities: The project shuttle travels at least 20 km in urban areas in all-electric mode, which reduces noise and emissions of fine particles (NOx, SOx);
- SDG 13 – Measures relating to the fight against climate change: by decarbonizing the energy used to transport products.
Replication potential of the project:
- On other regular routes in France or abroad, with other providers who could benefit from this experience
- With other customers of transportation providers as well
Reproducibility conditions of the project:
- Increased battery life, to cover greater distances or to handle various situations of higher importance.
- Attractiveness of the solution, to lower its cost and promote its popularization
Conditions for the success of the project:
- Risk-taking assumed by bioMérieux to mitigate the reluctance of the transportation provider
- A viable solution must have the following characteristics:
- Expected efficiency
Guaranteed availability and high reliability, because the daily shuttle is critical to the company’s business activities (uninterrupted transportation + temperature hold of finished products)
A partnership with TFMO, the carrier in charge of the shuttle, was established.
At a lower level, SCANIA and CARRIER will provide advice on sizing for the tractor and cold production solutions, respectively.
Contact the company carrying the project :
alexis.monier@biomerieux.com julien.dulieu@biomerieux.com
Biomérieux’s other projects :
Installation of a photovoltaic shade
To reduce the carbon footprint of its La Balme site and decarbonize the energy used, bioMérieux has installed a photovoltaic shade on the parking lots. This will enable it to produce 20% of its own energy.
