DHL Express and Thermo Fisher Partner to Cut Air Shipping Emissions by 80%

• Thermo Fisher’s PPD clinical research business partners with DHL Express to cut air shipping emissions by up to 80% through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

• The collaboration underscores Thermo Fisher’s commitment to sustainability and aligns with its climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

DHL Express and Thermo Fisher Scientific’s PPD clinical research business have announced a partnership aimed at reducing the environmental impact of global clinical research logistics. The collaboration will leverage DHL’s GoGreen Plus service and use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce air shipping emissions by up to 80%, while maintaining the required speed and quality standards.

This initiative marks Thermo Fisher’s continuing commitment to sustainability. The company, which has set targets aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C trajectory, aims for net-zero emissions by 2050. In this context, reducing emissions from air transportation, an essential part of clinical research logistics, is a priority. According to Leon Wyszkowski, President of Analytical Services at Thermo Fisher, using SAF is a practical way to cut emissions while meeting the urgent shipping demands of clinical trials.

The partnership allows Thermo Fisher’s customers to benefit from reduced Scope 3 emissions – the indirect emissions in a company’s value chain, particularly from downstream transportation. This insetting method ensures emissions are reduced within the logistics sector itself, distinguishing it from traditional offsetting measures.

Travis Cobb, Executive Vice President of Global Network Operations at DHL Express, emphasised the importance of collaboration: “Efficient logistics isn’t just about moving goods – it’s about moving toward a sustainable future with every delivery we make.”

Through this partnership, both companies are working to ensure that clinical research continues to advance rapidly while reducing its carbon footprint, aligning with the industry’s growing focus on sustainability.