The Freixenet Group participates in a pilot test of freight transport by rail that reduces CO2 emissions by 92%

• The project involves a journey of more than 1,400 kilometers between the Freixenet headquarters in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Barcelona) and Alsheim (Germany)

Freixenet Group has participated in a pilot test to promote multimodal transport in the sector using the railway as a means of transport to reduce road traffic and CO2 emissions. This test is part of our commitment to the environment, sustainability and innovation. The project is promoted by the In-Move by Railgrup Railway Cluster, chaired by Cimalsa, the INNOVI Catalan Wine Cluster, and the Multimodal Services Committee.

From the collaboration of INNOVI, which has facilitated the knowledge and coordination of companies in the sector, from Freixenet Cellars we have carried out the first shipment of 11,100 liters of cava to Europe from Sant Sadurní d ‘Anoia (Barcelona) to the municipality of Alsheim, Germany, using rail transport as far as possible.

The route, 1,434 kilometres, a total of 1,334 have been made by rail, which has meant a 92% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to road transport.

In addition, the test has allowed carrying out the traceability and control of the temperature of the product throughout the journey and, for the first time, the transport documentation has been created in electronic format, with a saving of 24% of the administrative cost, and taking a step forward in the digitization of companies.

The Freixenet environmental officer, Gloria Martí, states that “the results of this pilot test are encouraging, since this transport represents a saving of 92% in CO2 emissions when compared to road transport”. “As a company that exports more than 80% of its product, we will continue to explore this option to contribute to the objective of reducing our environmental impact and achieving a climate-neutral society,” she highlights.

The head of Planning and Intermodality of CIMALSA, Simó Batlle, affirms that “these shipments are environmentally and economically sustainable, for that reason from CIMALSA we are already working on the continuity of the project to involve small and medium-sized companies in a regular rail service and with new destinations”.

For his part, the president of CIMALSA and of the In-Move by Railgrup railway cluster, Enric Ticó, highlights that “the initiative shows the need to promote and bet on rail as an essential transport option to contribute to the decarbonisation of the sector and decongest the road network of the territory”. The pilot test has had the international collaboration of the DITECFER Cluster, through the European Railway Cluster Initiative (E.R.C.I.).

The initiative, a pioneer in Catalonia, is part of the TRAILS project, the work of the Multimodal Services Committee and the development of the Logistics Strategy for the internationalization of the Catalan economy, coordinated by CIMALSA, to offer companies sustainable railway solutions to reduce road traffic and CO2 emissions, promoting multi-product and multi-client rail transport.

The TRAILS project has had a budget of € 1,350,000 from 2018 to 2021, 65% co-financed by the POCTEFA Program, and with the participation of 10 partners from Occitania and Catalonia, being a finalist for the Regiostars 2021 awards, organized by the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission.