Green logistics

For example, for one of Germany's most cutting-edge logistics centres –REWE's logistics centre in Neu-Isenburg – KfW IPEX-Bank provided the retail group with a loan in the amount of EUR €125 million. Following a 20-month construction period, the high-rise warehouse opened in 2014 and has since become the central dry goods warehouse for over 6000 REWE supermarkets, REWE ToGo shops and REWE Centers across Germany. It stores any products that do not have to be refrigerated, from nappies and rice to nuts and juices. Its location in the geographical centre of Germany, not far from Frankfurt and with direct access to main roads and motorways, was carefully selected to make sure the trucks do not have too far to travel to the individual stores, thereby keeping harmful emissions as low as possible.

"We produce a proportion of the energy we need at the logistics centre itself," says Tobias Frey, REWE's energy manager who develops concepts like the one used in the construction of the logistics hall. Power and heat for the warehouse in Neu-Isenburg are generated from a solar unit on the roof and an additional cogeneration unit. The remaining requirements are covered by green electricity.

These automated or at least semi-automated processes relieve physical strain on the 600 or so members of staff. For example, sensitive products that could be damaged by pneumatic systems are lifted to a more flexible height to protect workers' backs. Day-to-day life inside the logistics centre has been designed to ensure the best possible interaction between humans and technology.

Another of energy manager Tobias Frey's tasks is to keep a continuous eye on whether the anticipated figures have been achieved. Mr Frey explains that the building in Neu-Isenburg consumes around 20% less energy than a conventional building. This milestone is helping the entire REWE Group to achieve its corporate goals, which aim to cut its specific greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2022 as compared to 2006.