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Lindt & Sprüngli and VTG: Pioneering Sustainable Rail Freight Solutions for the Chocolate Industry

Lindt & Sprüngli and VTG: Pioneering Sustainable Rail Freight Solutions for the Chocolate Industry
photo: VTG/Lindt & Sprüngli and VTG: Pioneering Sustainable Rail Freight Solutions for the Chocolate Industry
09 / 04 / 2023

Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli has always been committed to sustainability, from the selection of cocoa beans to the transportation of the finished product. In partnership with VTG, a company that shares the same dedication to responsible action and sustainability, they are rethinking rail freight to drive the new transport paradigm.

The European Association of Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries (Caobisco) states that the European sector produced an average of 14.7 million tons of confectionery products in 2019. Cocoa beans, the vital ingredient for chocolate treats, are grown north and south of the equator. After harvesting and processing, the beans are shipped to Europe and the USA in jute bags.

Amsterdam is one of the top European ports for cocoa bean imports and is the largest inbound node for rail freight. The port boasts 14 terminals with their own sidings, providing excellent connections to the European rail network. With a strong focus on multimodal traffic, Amsterdam plays a crucial role in the development of environmentally friendly supply chains.

Lindt & Sprüngli and VTG have collaborated to create a transport solution that reduces the environmental impact of cocoa bean transportation while offering additional benefits. VTG provided modified wagons to transport cocoa beans from Amsterdam to the factory in Olten, Switzerland. Regular hopper wagons were adapted with two 25-ton compartments for traceability and an accessible aperture for quality control samples.

To ensure a continuous supply of raw materials to Lindt & Sprüngli's factories, VTG developed a customized logistical concept. Instead of single-wagon transports, VTG now assembles entire block trains to carry cocoa beans from the Amsterdam port to the Olten cocoa mass factory on weekends.

This partnership between Lindt & Sprüngli and VTG has significantly reduced CO2 emissions by transporting cocoa beans via rail instead of trucks. As a result, the companies are pioneering sustainable rail freight solutions for the chocolate industry, ultimately contributing to a greener future for transportation.

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