France Boissons targets its distribution of beverages and services for the Out-of-Home Consumption (CHD) market. The Heineken subsidiary has delivered to 50,000 customers since 1964. The company is now committed to greening its fleet. It joins the National Low Carbon Strategy for the reduction of GHG emissions by 2050. Because, for France Boissons, “acting now” is “imperative”.
France Boissons: 700 small and medium carriers
The France Boissons fleet carries out transport and loading. As a carrier, France Boissons has a fleet of 700 small and medium carriers. They ensure the delivery of goods to customers from 50 dispatching sites. As a shipper, France Boissons uses 40 carriers. They supply by semi-trailers and rail-road its 72 French sites, including 15 regional platforms. And the CHD experiencing a strong seasonality of its activity, the distributor rents part of its fleet in summer. This increases his abilities.
This star-shaped network in France limits the routes around major cities to 200 km. A healthy practice for the environment. But that didn’t prevent France Boissons from stepping up its efforts by joining the EVE program. Acronym for “Voluntary Engagements for the Environment”, EVE was created in 2019.
France Boissons aligns itself with two systems
As part of the EVE program, France Boissons is committed to two schemes. On the one hand, the CO objective2, for its own-operated fleet. And, on the other hand, FRET21, for its transport purchases. “The EVE program will allow us to sustainably improve our carbon impact,” emphasizes Jean-François Agenor, transport director for France Boissons. “By benefiting from operational tools to assess our emissions, from a proven methodology to manage our actions and from individualized support,” he continues.
“FRET21 meets our needs as a shipper and we can also rely on Objectif CO2 as a carrier on our own account”, explains the director. And to conclude: “This membership will allow us to save CO2, optimize our footprint and anticipate the industrialization of the next ten years. »
France Boissons wants to acquire 570 electric trucks
France Boissons has had a fleet of 95% Euro 6 and Euro 5 trucks since the end of 2021. The company integrated electric trucks in early 2022. The latter are used for distribution in city centers and ZFE-m (low emission-mobility zones). “To access historic centers, we have to meet new constraints”, explains Xavier Fiorina, supply chain director of France Boissons. And that, “even if we have heavy loads, with an average of 350 kg per order”, he specifies.
Ten 7.5 t Fuso e-Canter electric trucks deliver to customers in several cities. In Bonneuil-sur-Marne (94) and Gennevilliers (92), in Bordeaux, Nantes, Nice, Marseille, Montpellier, Lyon, Grenoble and in Geispolsheim near Strasbourg. These trucks have a range of 100 km. They recharge directly on the sites from fast and slow terminals.
France Boissons is also involved in the Atmosphere Protection Plan (PPA). In this sense, the company will deploy 270 electric trucks on its sites by 2027. The company will thus cover 100% of the metropolises designated as ZFE-m. Then, from 2031, the acquisition of 300 additional electric trucks will complete its urban fleet. France Boissons is also considering the use of cargo bikes. They would constitute an alternative mode of delivery complementary to the truck.
Energy transition through XTL
The company has also signed a partnership with Quatra. This Belgian company collects used food oils and fats from CHD establishments for recycling. These become XTL biodiesel. And frying residues become biogas.
In this way, and since 2021, France Boissons has been converting a growing proportion of its thermal trucks to XTL biodiesel. A transition energy while waiting for the all-electric phase. By 2025, the company will reduce CO emissions by 60-90%2 of its thermal fleet.
Finally, the Heineken subsidiary collaborates with the public authorities for the recovery of lost (non-returnable) glass. It deploys this practice at its sites in Strasbourg, Nantes and Angers. Because, for the customers of France Boissons, packaging and the reuse of containers remain a major challenge.
