Bayer's agricultural division begins replacing traditional trucks with sustainable models

Bayer, a German multinational that operates in the areas of health and nutrition, announces in Brazil a project to gradually replace its traditional transport options - diesel-powered vehicles - with cleaner and more modern modes - electric vehicles, powered by natural gas for vehicles ( CNG) and/or biomethane and rail transport.

Called "Ecorota from end to end - Phase 1", the initiative began in April 2021, with the adoption of rail transport between Sumaré, in São Paulo and Rondonópolis, in Mato Grosso. On June 22nd, Bayer made, in the Piracicaba region, the first delivery of a product using a 100% clean electric truck, without any CO2 emissions, in partnership with Grupo Toniato, a transport, logistics and engineering. Between May and June, the adoption of sustainable modes by Bayer has already avoided the emission of 110 tons of CO2 without any harm to the operation in terms of efficiency and processes.

"This is a pioneering initiative. We are taking, in collaboration with our suppliers and partners, the first step in what will be a long journey of ecological innovation in Brazilian agribusiness", comments Schirley Wirtti, Supply Chain Leader at Bayer Brasil .

This July, Bayer will carry out, together with suppliers that share this culture of modernization, several other pilots with sustainable modes on other routes. In the next four months, the company expects to receive at least four other sustainable vehicles, powered by biomethane and electrical energy. Furthermore, Bayer will incorporate the adoption of sustainable transport modes as a differentiator when choosing suppliers for its factories. With these steps, the company expects to avoid, by the end of the year, the emission of significant quantities of greenhouse gases, as sustainable modes bring benefits of 20% to 100% reduction in CO2 emissions, depending on the option adopted.

"The adoption of sustainable modes of transport did not bring any harm to the efficiency of our operations. It was a zero-cost decision, which breaks the paradigm that modernizing operations and making them more ecological and sustainable is expensive and unfeasible in a financial or efficiency perspective. Furthermore, due to the strength of our brand, our suppliers are investing in clean alternatives, as they believe that developing this with Bayer adds value to their business", adds Wirtti.

The initiative is yet another of the important initiatives that Bayer is taking to achieve its ambitious sustainability goals, which include becoming a carbon neutral company by 2030, making its production sites climate neutral and reducing pollutant emissions throughout its value chain, which includes choosing more sustainable partners and suppliers.