SHL Medical leads partners to launch green logistics, fortifying its commitment to sustainability

SHL Medical, in partnership with Lu Bo Freight Transport and Volvo Trucks, announced today the introduction of its first electric truck into its logistics fleet. This newly constructed 26-ton electric vehicle is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% annually compared to diesel trucks of the same class, marking a significant leap forward in implementing green logistics and reinforcing the company’s commitment to industry sustainability. 

SHL Medical’s diverse product portfolio includes autoinjectors, pen injectors, and innovative drug delivery systems for specialty formulations. The company has provided more than 50 distinct combination products for the top 25 pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The company’s autoinjectors alone have benefited 3.1 million patients worldwide in 2023. Alongside its focus on improving patients’ quality of life through advanced technologies, SHL Medical remains steadfast in its sustainability practices, developing concrete strategies to drive patient health and independence, reduce ecological footprint, and ensure responsible business practices.

With headquarters in Switzerland, SHL’s Taiwan site is considered the company’s most crucial global production hub, exporting the highest volume of products worldwide. SHL Medical is strategically extending its focus from production to transportation and actively integrating its supply chain with energy-saving and carbon-reducing measures. This approach aims to effectively lower carbon emissions during raw material and product transports, further advancing the development of green logistics in Taiwan.

“SHL Medical is an innovative leader in the drug delivery industry, committed to enabling patients’ independence through comprehensive design, development, scale-up, production, and value-added services. As we continue to enhance our performance and strengthen our leadership in the global market, we recognize that achieving low-carbon energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires a collective commitment to green, circular production models across the entire supply chain,” said Sebastian Feng, General Manager at SHL Medical Taiwan. “We are pleased to collaborate with like-minded supply chain partners to tackle critical sustainability challenges and contribute to the health and recovery of our environment.”

“SHL Medical has been our long-term partner with aligned values. The official launch of the FE62RE electric truck today symbolizes our shared commitment to sustainability,” said Jianming Liang, General Manager of Lu Bo Freight Transport. “Transportation plays an indispensable role in connecting people with products and services. Yet, extreme climate change continues to present unprecedented challenges to the transportation industry. We hope that through the development of green logistics, we can ensure that economic growth and environmental protection coexist harmoniously.”

“The transport sector represents 7% of global carbon emissions. Electric trucks are important tools to reduce the climate footprint. Beyond the significant environmental benefits of electric trucks, they also provide a greatly improved working environment for truck drivers, with noticeably lower noise levels and reduced vibrations. Volvo Trucks drives the transition towards fossil-free transport to reach its net-zero emissions target by 2040 using a three-path technology strategy. Volvo’s three-path technology approach is built on battery electric, fuel cell electric, and combustion engines powered by renewable fuels such as green hydrogen, biogas, or HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil). We are very proud to strengthen our partnership with like-minded companies like SHL Medical and Lu Bo Freight Transport. It is through collaboration and a shared commitment that we can truly drive sustainable transport forward and make significant CO2 reductions a reality,” Kamlarp Sirikittiwatn, Volvo Trucks International Southeast Asia and Japan Market Director added.

Founded in 1989, SHL Medical employs over 5,000 people and has operations across 3 continents, making it a key partner in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Over the past 35 years, SHL Medical’s presence in Taiwan has grown significantly, expanding to 9 factories by 2019. By 2023, the company reached several sustainability milestones, including using 12% share of renewable electricity in its operations, recycling 74% of waste, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2.6% compared to 2022. In recognition of its sustainability efforts, SHL Medical received an EcoVadis Silver Medal in 2023, placing it among the top 8% of companies in its industry globally.

In July 2024, SHL Medical announced the construction of its new manufacturing site in Taoyuan, Taiwan. The brand-new facility will optimize the efficiency of human resources, vehicles, and logistics while reducing transportation-related carbon footprints. In addition, it will incorporate green electricity and solar panel installations. The site is expected to be completed and inaugurated by 2027. Over the next 5 years, SHL Medical plans to invest an additional NT$ 3 billion to upgrade and optimize its Taiwan facilities, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development and mutual prosperity in the global MedTech market.