REDUCING CONTRAIL-RELATED CLIMATE IMPACT

Formed when water vapour in jet-engine exhaust condenses and freezes around soot particles and other aerosols in the cold, humid air of the upper atmosphere, contrails account for roughly one-third of the aviation industry’s total climate impact.

In an effort to reduce these condensation trails and aviation’s global warming impact, Operation Blue Skies was formed. As a £5 million, 30-month programme, partly funded by £2.65 million from the Department for Transport, this initiative brings together partners such as the University of Cambridge to evaluate the operational feasibility and environmental benefits of adjusting the altitude of commercial flights to avoid the atmospheric conditions that result in warming contrails.

Consisting of two operational trials that will be conducted across NATS-controlled Shanwick oceanic airspace, which accounts for approximately five percent of global contrail warming, the programme will take place over the winter season between November and February.

“Contrail avoidance could drastically reduce the global climate impact of aviation, at minimal cost to passengers and companies. Operation Blue Skies is a big step forward in this process, as it will test the ability of the UK to reduce contrail coverage at an airspace-wide scale and in a real-world setting. It’s an exciting step in building a more sustainable aviation industry,” states Professor Steven Barrett, Regius Professor of Engineering at the University of Cambridge.

The Cambridge and Imperial College London researchers will be evaluating the outcomes of the trials, set to take place primarily during winter testing windows in 2026-2027 and 2027-2028, and will provide independent verification of the climate impact.

Alongside these two universities, Google, the Department for Transport, the Met Office, NATS, and Contrails.org are all part of the consortium.

ADVANCING OPEN CLIMATE SCIENCE

These trials are being conducted alongside the UK government’s major investments in aviation decarbonisation projects, including £219 million to boost homegrown green fuel production to cut emissions from flying in addition to creating green jobs.

Keir Mather, Minister for Aviation, Maritime, and Freight, states, “This is a world-first, and it’s British ingenuity leading the way. By testing small tweaks to flight paths over the Atlantic, we can cut the vapour trails left behind by planes. From £219 million for home-grown sustainable fuel to zero-emission aircraft, we’re backing innovation to make UK aviation cleaner, support thousands of skilled jobs, and drive growth in the sector.”

Specifically, Google UK is contributing £1.4 million through artificial intelligence (AI) research expertise, engineering time, and high-performance computing infrastructure to advance open climate science.

Contrails.org is working to connect the scientific and operational pieces of the trial, such as assessing and integrating forecasts, shaping trial parameters, and supporting data analysis, so the operation is able to test whether contrail avoidance is safe, measurable, and practical.

“Contrail avoidance has reached a pivotal moment. The question is no longer whether we can mitigate contrails, but whether we can make that mitigation work at the scale of the global aviation system. This trial is an important step toward making that a reality, while demonstrating the strength of British research and innovation in developing practical solutions to one of aviation’s most important climate challenges,” notes Kemal Armada, Product Manager at Google.

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Heat Recovery Targets Lower-Carbon Beer Production

Heineken UK has selected GEA to deliver a low-carbon heat network at its Manchester brewery as the drinks manufacturer works towards net zero across its production sites for scopes 1 and 2.

The Manchester facility produces around 400 million litres of Heineken, Birra Moretti and Foster’s beer annually, making the decarbonisation of process heat an important part of reducing the site’s operational emissions.

GEA will design, supply and install a heat pump-based network that captures excess heat generated during brewing and packaging and returns that energy to the production process.

The project will also involve modifications to existing process equipment as Heineken UK moves away from conventional steam generation.

Heat Pumps to Replace Natural Gas-Fired Steam

The brewery currently generates steam using large boilers powered by natural gas. Under the new system, Heineken UK will introduce a low-temperature, 90°C hot-water network driven by GEA heat pumps.

Distribution and heat-recovery pipework will connect multiple processes across the brewery, allowing waste heat to be captured and reused rather than lost.

GEA’s heat pumps use ammonia as a refrigerant, which has zero ozone depletion potential and zero global warming potential.

Heineken UK estimates the installation will deliver a 45% reduction in gas consumption, resulting in lower carbon emissions from brewery operations.

Chelsey Wroe, Head of Sustainability at Heineken UK, said: “We want to brew a better world and we need to act now if we are going to meet our 2030 net zero ambitions. Heat pumps are a key technology on our journey to decarbonizing our breweries and enable us to create a circular process with the excess heat that is created during the brewing process.”

Industrial Heat Pumps Gain Role in Food and Beverage Decarbonisation

The project highlights the potential for heat recovery and electrification to address one of the food and beverage sector’s significant sustainability challenges: reducing fossil fuel consumption associated with process heating.

GEA is combining its industrial heat pump technology with its experience in brewing to integrate the system into an existing 24/7 production environment.

John Burden, Director Project Sales at GEA’s Heating & Refrigeration Technologies Division, said: “Our ability to deliver a design, which recognized the complex and diverse energy demands of a large scale 24/7 brewing operation made the difference.”

Matthew Hadwen, Sales Manager Brewery at GEA’s Liquid & Powder Technologies Division, added: “Being able to do it all in-house makes us a more reliable partner to HEINEKEN, who are truly serious about their sustainability goals. Hopefully this approach will encourage other companies to follow their example.”

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Circular Design Targets Footwear Material Recovery

ASICS is expanding its approach to circular product design with the launch of the NIMBUS MIRAI 2 running shoe.

The new model builds on the original NIMBUS MIRAI, introduced in 2024, which was developed to simplify the recovery and recycling of footwear materials while retaining the comfort and performance associated with the GEL-NIMBUS range.

The original design uses an upper made primarily from a single material to simplify material recovery. It also incorporates an ASICS-developed adhesive that securely bonds the upper and sole during use but allows the components to be separated more easily for recycling when heat is applied.

The NIMBUS MIRAI 2 continues this approach, with its materials and construction designed around recovering resources once the shoe reaches the end of its usable life.

ASICS Cuts Product Carbon Footprint by Around 20 Per Cent

Alongside its circular design features, ASICS has reduced the carbon footprint associated with the new model.

Using ASICS’ carbon footprint methodology version 1.4, the NIMBUS MIRAI 2 has a footprint of 4.9 kg CO2e per pair.

That represents an approximately 20 per cent reduction compared with the original NIMBUS MIRAI, which has a carbon footprint of 6.1 kg CO2e per pair.

The new shoe is also approximately 37 grams lighter than its predecessor while maintaining the cushioning, comfort and performance characteristics of the GEL-NIMBUS range.

Return Programme Supports Circular Footwear Model

Consumers play a central role in ASICS’ circularity strategy through its product return programme.

Runners are encouraged to return NIMBUS MIRAI 2 shoes when they reach the end of their usable life, allowing materials to enter the recycling process and supporting the development of future circular products.

Each pair includes a QR code on the tongue that provides information about the programme and instructions for returning the shoes.

The programme is currently available across the US, UK, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and China.

ASICS said the expansion into additional markets will allow more consumers to participate while supporting its exploration of further approaches to circular footwear design.

Circularity Becomes a Product Design Principle

Yoshiyasu Ando, Manager of Plush Design Team, Performance Running Footwear at ASICS, said: “With the NIMBUS MIRAI™ 2 shoe, we continued exploring what happens when circularity becomes a design principle rather than an afterthought. Traditionally, footwear has been designed with its first life in mind, but with the NIMBUS MIRAI™ franchise we challenged ourselves to think beyond that.

“Every decision, from materials to construction, was guided by the question of how we can help keep valuable resources in use for longer, while still delivering the premium comfort and performance runners expect from ASICS. Ultimately, our ambition is to help create a future where circularity becomes a more natural part of the running journey – where runners can simply run, return and repeat.”

The NIMBUS MIRAI 2 will be available globally from 1 October 2026.

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ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE FUEL ADOPTION

Marking a significant milestone in the decarbonization of aviation, industry titan American Airlines and technology-driven Infinium have officially delivered electro sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) to power a commercial passenger flight that departed from Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) and landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Infinium’s Pathfinder facility, which is the world’s first commercial-scale power-to-liquids eFuels production site, produced the eSAF. Blended with conventional jet fuel and tested to meet the ASTM International specification for JetA, the fuel was allocated to the flight, making it the first SAF delivery without biobased feedstocks to a commercial airport in the US.

“Since 2023, we have been producing scalable, drop-in eDiesel and eNaphtha at our Pathfinder facility from waste carbon and renewable energy for use in commercial trucks and plastics processing. Adding eSAF to our product slate – and seeing it power a commercial passenger flight – marks another meaningful step forward in bringing practical, low-carbon solutions to industry,” says Robert Schuetzle, CEO at Infinium.

The company’s eSAF has the ability to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 90 percent compared to conventional petroleum-based jet fuel, demonstrating how flights like these could help shape the future of sustainable aviation.

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX 34) notes that “South Texas has long been an energy leader, and today’s sustainable aviation fuel announcement shows how our region continues to innovate. The work Infinium and American Airlines are doing in Corpus Christi strengthens our local economy while advancing our nation’s energy security. We need to continue investing in domestic energy production to help create American jobs and reduce our reliance on foreign energy sources.”

TRANSITIONING FROM INNOVATION TO IMPLEMENTATION

As a leader in advancing SAF options across the industry, American Airlines is working to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon aviation solutions. Supported by an agreement with Citi to enable Scope 3 emissions reductions from employee travel, the airline company has an offtake agreement for commercial volumes of eSAF from Infinium’s Project Roadrunner – which, once at full capacity, is expected to produce over five million gallons of eSAF annually.

Such partnerships highlight the collaboration required to scale next-generation fuels.

Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, states that “this flight represents a significant moment for aviation. Through our partnership with Infinium, we’re demonstrating how next-generation technologies like eSAF can move from early investment to real-world application. Scaling SAF production at lower prices is essential to reducing emissions, strengthening our long-term competitiveness, and continuing to deliver the connectivity and economic benefits that our customers rely on.”

However, despite the growing popularity, SAF only accounts for less than one percent of total jet fuel used worldwide. eSAF offers a near-term, practical solution for reducing aviation emissions, strengthening energy security by diversifying aviation fuel supply, and helping to create a more resilient system.

“This first-of-its-kind eSAF flight from American Airlines and Infinium is an important step for lower carbon aviation, and we are proud to support this effort with our long-time partner. Given the potential SAF has on reducing emissions, we look forward to efforts to scale its production,” states Edward Skyler, Head of Enterprise Services and Public Affairs at Citi.

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Regenerative Barley Programme Targets UK Supply Chain

HEINEKEN UK has partnered with maltsters Muntons and Boortmalt, barley merchant Cefetra and independent agronomists Soil Capital to support UK farmers adopting regenerative agriculture practices.

Farmers participating in the programme will receive a premium for regenerative barley yields, alongside agronomic support and multi-year commitments.

The approach is intended to reduce the financial risk associated with changing agricultural practices and make the transition commercially viable for growers.

Regenerative methods supported by the programme include reduced soil disturbance, cover crops and diverse crop rotations. Practices will be tailored to individual farms according to existing methods and local conditions.

Sonia Thimmiah, Corporate Affairs Director, HEINEKEN UK, said: “British malting barley is at the heart of some of the UK’s best-loved beers, so making it more resilient for the future matters. This programme is about working with partners to make regenerative agriculture practical, scalable and commercially viable by strengthening soils and helping farms stay fit for the future. It is also an important contribution to HEINEKEN’s global Brew a Better World strategy and aims to protect water and nature as well as reduce carbon emissions.”

Almost Half of Malted Barley to Use Regenerative Practices

In 2027, almost half of the malted barley sourced by HEINEKEN UK is expected to be grown using regenerative agriculture practices.

The first yield covered by the programme is due to be harvested in 2026 before being brewed and served to consumers in 2027.

The transition will extend across HEINEKEN UK brands including Heineken, Cruzcampo, Birra Moretti, John Smith’s, Foster’s and Amstel.

HEINEKEN UK brews more than 1.3 billion pints of beer annually and supplies 80 per cent of UK pubs. More than 95 per cent of the beer it sells is brewed in the UK.

Collaboration Supports Barley Farmers

The programme will operate across barley-growing regions in England and Scotland, including East Anglia, the East Midlands, Southeast, Southwest, Fife and the Scottish Borders.

Charles Tozer, Country Manager UK and Ireland, Boortmalt, said: “This programme shows what can be achieved when brewers, maltsters, merchants, agronomists and farmers work together behind a shared goal. By building long-term collaboration across the malting barley supply chain, we can help create the certainty and practical support farmers need to adopt regenerative practices with confidence.”

Mark Tyldesley, Chief Executive Officer, Muntons, said: “What makes this programme unique is its scale and the collaboration between suppliers. We know from our work with growers that every farm is different, and the transition to regenerative agriculture needs to be practical, commercially realistic and tailored to individual land. Through this partnership, we can help farmers identify the right steps for their business while supporting the long-term resilience of UK malting barley.”

Soil Capital to Measure Sustainability Progress

Soil Capital will provide independent measurement, reporting and verification for the programme while supporting participating farmers with specialist advice.

The organisation will measure the impact of regenerative practices against more than 30 indicators, including soil health, biodiversity and water management.

Nathalie Bouche, Chief Revenue Officer, Soil Capital, said: “For regenerative agriculture to scale, it needs to be measured credibly and transparently. Our role is to support farmers to adopt practices that work for their land, while providing evidence and validation so HEINEKEN UK and its partners can track real progress over time. Independent measurement gives farmers, businesses and the wider value chain the confidence to invest for the long term.”

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PepsiCo Updates Progress Towards pep+ Sustainability Goals

PepsiCo has published its 2025 ESG reporting, detailing progress against certain 2030 goals under its pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) strategy.

The food and beverage company reported developments spanning its agricultural supply chain, manufacturing operations, logistics, packaging and product portfolio.

Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer, PepsiCo, said: “We’re excited by the momentum we’re building as pep+ continues to transform our business end to end. We’re making significant progress — from expanding regenerative, restorative and protective practices to 4.7 million acres, reducing emissions of our operations, to evolving our product portfolio to offer more choices — and we’re doing it in ways that we believe will strengthen our business for the long term.”

Emissions Reductions and Renewable Electricity

Against its 2022 baseline and including system contributions, PepsiCo reported reductions of 24 per cent for its Scope 1 and 2 goal, 12 per cent for its Scope 3 Energy and Industry goal and 18 per cent for its Scope 3 Forest, Land and Agriculture goal.

The company also sourced 96 per cent, or approximately 4,300 GWh, of electricity requirements for its company-owned operations from renewable sources, including through renewable energy credits.

In Europe, PepsiCo has collaborated with Yara International to work with approximately 1,000 farms covering around 128,000 hectares across the European Union and UK. The initiative focuses primarily on potatoes and aims to introduce low-carbon fertilisers and precision farming technologies.

In Mexico, PepsiCo added 1,070 Ford E-Transit electric vans to its delivery fleet to support efforts to reduce logistics emissions.

Regenerative Agriculture Expands Across Supply Chain

PepsiCo reported in July that regenerative, restorative and protective practices had expanded to 4.7 million acres.

Since 2021, approximately 224,000 people across its agricultural supply chains and communities have also been supported through programmes designed to improve economic prosperity and farmer and farm worker security.

Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo, said: “Our sustainability agenda and portfolio transformation initiatives are fundamentally about strengthening PepsiCo for the long term. Through pep+, we are working to build a more resilient business — one that aims to adapt to changing consumer preferences, supports our growth strategy, and creates value for shareholders while striving to help support the resources and communities that are critical to our future.”

Packaging Strategy Reduces Virgin Plastic Use

Packaging was another focus of the 2025 update, with PepsiCo reporting 2.0 million metric tons of plastic use across key packaging markets, including primary packaging.

For primary plastic packaging in these markets, absolute virgin plastic tonnage declined by six per cent between 2024 and 2025. Recycled plastic represented 18 per cent of primary plastic packaging in 2025.

Water stewardship initiatives also continued, with PepsiCo reporting 100 per cent water replenishment at company-owned facilities in high water-risk watersheds, and the company supported more than 60 active replenishment projects during 2025, helping replenish approximately 35 billion litres of water to local watersheds.

Food and Beverage Portfolio Shifts Continue

PepsiCo also reported changes across its food and beverage portfolio.

In 2025, 68 per cent of its beverage portfolio volume contained no more than 100 calories from added sugars per 12 oz serving, exceeding its 2025 goal of more than 67 per cent.

Some 79 per cent of convenient foods volume met its 2025 sodium target, while 79 per cent also met its saturated fat target.

The company delivered 79 billion portions of diverse ingredients, including whole grains, plant-based proteins, fruits and vegetables, during 2025. PepsiCo is targeting 145 billion portions annually across its global convenient foods portfolio by 2030.

The reported progress forms part of PepsiCo’s continued implementation of pep+, which incorporates sustainability across its food and beverage operations, agricultural supply chains and portfolio strategy.

“While there’s more work ahead, this progress reflects how we’re continuing to take steps to embed sustainability into how we operate, innovate, and grow,” adds Jim Andrew.

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Smart Packaging Trial Targets Recycling Traceability

UK supermarket Aldi and dairy cooperative Arla are working with recycling platform Polytag on a pilot designed to provide greater visibility of the lifecycle of milk bottle packaging.

Building on a collaboration from 2023, the latest project uses UV-tagged wrap-around labels applied to Arla’s milk bottle range at its Oakthorpe site.

The labels are printed by Saica Flex using specially developed RecyClass-approved ink from Sun Chemical. They will allow packaging to be tracked as it moves through the recycling stream, generating data on recycling rates and the journey taken by individual items.

Luke Emery, Plastics and Packaging Director, Aldi UK, said: “This next phase with Polytag represents an exciting step forward in how we use data to drive our sustainability strategy. By integrating this advanced traceability technology into our packaging, we can gain deeper insights into the lifecycle of our materials.”

Helena Delgado Nordmann, head of sustainability at Arla Foods UK, shared: “As Europe’s largest dairy cooperative, Arla is committed to understanding how our packaging performs beyond point of sale. By working with Polytag, we hope to gain valuable insight into how milk bottle packaging moves through the recycling system, helping us to make moreinformed decisions about future packaging developments and supporting our ongoing efforts to improve packaging circularity.”

UV Tags Provide Real-Time Recycling Data

Invisible UV tags are printed directly onto packaging labels using food-safe fluorescent ink that has undergone safety and recycling testing.

The ink can be applied using standard printing methods without affecting production speed. Unlike the companies’ 2023 trial, which used pressure-sensitive labels, the latest pilot uses wrap-around labels to provide greater durability and coverage.

When packaging carrying the tags enters the recycling stream, Polytag’s Plastic Detection Units at Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) capture barcode-level data in real time.

Brands and retailers can access the information through Polytag’s dashboard, providing visibility of packaging as it moves through the recycling process.

Alice Rackley, CEO, Polytag, said: “This next phase deployment with Aldi and Arla milk bottle labels demonstrates the scalability and reliability of the UV-tagging solution. This represents continued progress in packaging design, offering brands a seamless, cost-effective path to comprehensive recycling insights.”

Recycling Data Supports Packaging Sustainability Decisions

The trial is intended to provide Aldi and Arla with real-world packaging lifecycle data that can support future sustainability and packaging decisions.

According to Polytag, data captured through UV tagging can help brands measure progress against sustainability targets and support data-informed decisions that may identify opportunities to improve recyclability and recycling performance.

Polytag recently achieved a 100 per cent detection rate with packaging compliance organisation Citeo at a Materials Recovery Facility in France.

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Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Technology Targets Zero-Emission Public Transport

A new Bosch fuel-cell system is being tested in Madrid’s public transport network as bus operators consider alternatives to diesel powertrains in response to European Union (EU) emissions requirements.

Spanish bus company Alsa is operating the Irizar test bus, which is equipped with Bosch’s FCPM C190 fuel-cell power module. The vehicle has already been transporting passengers through the Spanish capital for several weeks.

Operations will focus on routes where the fuel cell’s longer range can demonstrate its capabilities, with the trial expected to continue for several weeks.

Thomas Pauer, member of the Bosch Mobility sector board and president of Bosch Power Solutions, said: “The fuel cell is the perfect complement to battery-electric powertrains – even in bus operations,”

“Fuel cells are especially well-suited for buses that travel longer distances every day and rarely have the opportunity to charge en route. With this trial, we can clearly demonstrate that Bosch’s fuel-cell technology is ready for the demands of large-scale deployment in passenger transport.”

Testing Hydrogen Powertrains In Real-World Conditions

The test vehicle has undergone extensive testing and received the necessary approval ahead of its operation in Madrid.

Day-to-day passenger services will now be used to assess the robustness and capabilities of its fuel-cell powertrain under real operating conditions.

The bus uses Bosch’s FCPM C190, a compact fuel-cell system based on a horizontal double stack that provides a continuous output of 190 kilowatts.

Combined with the vehicle’s available hydrogen tank capacity, the system enables ranges of more than 1,000 kilometres. Refuelling takes between 10 and 15 minutes, allowing the vehicle to also be used for intercity services.

Bosch’s fuel-cell portfolio also includes the FCPM C300, designed for heavy-duty tour buses and trucks, and the FCPM C100. The latter provides a continuous power output of 100 kilowatts and features a flat design intended for city buses.

EU Emissions Targets Drive Bus Technology Development

The Madrid trial comes as EU regulations place increasing emissions requirements on bus operators and urban transport networks.

By 2030, carbon emissions from newly registered city buses must be reduced by 90 per cent compared with 2019 levels. For other types of buses, the requirement applies from 2040.

Fuel-cell power modules are recognised by the EU as zero-emission vehicle technology and are among the alternatives being developed to replace conventional diesel powertrains.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), just over 38,000 new buses were registered in the EU in 2025.

Bosch Develops Technology Across The Hydrogen Value Chain

Alongside fuel-cell systems for transport, Bosch is developing technologies covering hydrogen production, infrastructure and use.

In 2025, the company announced the launch of its Hybrion proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis stack for hydrogen production.

Bosch is also developing technology for hydrogen engines and offers components for port and direct injection.

At the end of 2025, a Bosch development team won the German Future Prize, the federal president’s award for technology and innovation, for its development of the mobile fuel cell.

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Electric Cargo Cycles Expand Royal Mail’s Zero-Emission Fleet

Royal Mail has launched its first electric cargo cycles, with an initial 20 Minimal Pedal 4 vehicles being deployed in cities including London, Brighton and Cambridge.

The company plans to expand the roll-out to further locations in the future as part of its target to achieve net zero by 2040.

Manufactured at Minimal’s microfactory in West London, the electric cargo cycles are intended to help Royal Mail reduce carbon emissions, improve local air quality and make delivery rounds more efficient.

Improving Last-Mile Delivery Efficiency

The introduction of dedicated electric cargo cycles is designed to streamline Royal Mail’s urban delivery operations.

Providing posties with their own vehicle rather than requiring them to share a van can help streamline routes and speed up deliveries.

The cycles can be charged using a standard three-pin plug socket. This means they can operate from any delivery office, including locations where yard space or electricity capacity is limited.

The roll-out follows Royal Mail’s introduction of its first micro electric vehicles (MEVs) last year and further expands the range of zero-emission vehicles available for urban delivery routes.

Unlike an MEV, the Pedal 4 does not require a licensed driver. Royal Mail said this could open delivery opportunities to a wider range of people.

The vehicle can operate on roads with speed limits of up to 30mph, as well as cycle lanes, cycle paths and greenways.

Electric Vehicles Designed for Urban Logistics

The fully electric Pedal 4 has been designed specifically for commercial deliveries, combining durability, stability and reliability for demanding urban routes.

Each vehicle provides a range of up to 37 miles and cargo capacity of 2.5 cbm.

Its introduction forms part of Royal Mail’s continued investment in zero-emission delivery vehicles as it seeks to develop a more efficient urban delivery network.

Mark Riley, Delivery Design Manager at Royal Mail, said: “Our new electric cargo cycles mark another important step towards reaching Net-Zero by 2040 and making our delivery network more efficient for the future. They will help reduce emissions and improve air quality in the communities we serve, while creating new opportunities for people to join Royal Mail without needing a driving licence.”

Supporting More Sustainable City Logistics

Minimal manufactures the Pedal 4 at its West London microfactory, with Royal Mail becoming an early user of the British-made electric cargo cycle.

Patrick Bion, Chief Executive Officer at Minimal, said: “Royal Mail operates one of the most demanding delivery networks in the country. Their decision to scale Pedal 4 throughout the UK is the clearest possible signal that right-sized electric vehicles will be central to how we move goods through cities more efficiently.”

Royal Mail said the first 20 vehicles will enter operation this month, with further locations planned as it continues expanding its range of zero-emission vehicles for urban deliveries.

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VALUE BEYOND THE BAKERY COUNTER

As consumers increasingly demand greater transparency and sustainability from the brands they support, GAIL’s is demonstrating how long-term supplier relationships can create value far beyond the bakery counter.

The modern craft bakery has unveiled its Craft Community – a network of farmers, growers, and producers that has helped develop more than 50 new products over the past 18 months while supporting regenerative agriculture, reducing food waste, and investing in local food economies across Britain.

Today, approximately 15p in every £1 spent at GAIL’s is invested through businesses that form part of its Craft Community, underlining the company’s commitment to building a more resilient and responsible food system.

LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS

Rather than focusing solely on efficiency and cost, GAIL’s has built its supply chain around enduring relationships with producers that share its commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and environmental stewardship.

The Craft Community spans a diverse network of regenerative farms, family-run dairies, artisan food producers, and independent drinks makers. Together, these collaborations help preserve traditional skills, bring innovative products to market, and support Britain’s wider food culture.

The initiative has already delivered measurable results, including the development of more than 50 new products and partnerships that have utilised over 2,000 tonnes of surplus and imperfect fruit and vegetables through organisations including Daily Dose.

Meanwhile, collaborations across the network have also prevented 11 tonnes of cheese offcuts from entering waste streams, supported the Natoora Farm Fund, and raised almost £15,000 for charity through supplier partnerships.

Roy Levy, Creative Director at GAIL’s, highlighted the broader impact these relationships have beyond the business itself.

SUPPORTING BRITAIN’S PRODUCERS

The businesses within the Craft Community represent a broad cross-section of Britain’s food and drink sector.

They include traditional cheesemakers such as Lincolnshire Poacher and Quicke’s Cheese, sustainable drinks producers including Wildpress Juice, MOMO Kombucha, and Rapscallion, as well as specialist food businesses such as Cobble Lane Cured, Eaten Alive, XOCO, and Buchanans Cheesemonger.

Alongside these artisan producers are businesses tackling sustainability challenges directly, including Daily Dose, which rescues surplus fruit and vegetables to create cold-pressed juices, and Brades Farm, a carbon-smart dairy focused on producing high-quality milk through science and technology.

Together, these partnerships demonstrate how collaboration across the supply chain can deliver commercial innovation while supporting responsible production methods and reducing waste.

A GROWING COMMITMENT

The Craft Community forms part of GAIL’s wider ambition to improve the food system through better ingredients, traceable supply chains, support for regenerative farming, and a commitment to reducing unnecessary waste.

As the bakery continues to expand across the UK, it believes these long-term relationships will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of British food.

By using growth to support exceptional producers, strengthen local food economies, and encourage more sustainable practices, GAIL’s aims to demonstrate that business expansion and responsible food production can go hand in hand.

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Textile Recycling Partnership Supports Circular Economy Goals

ABB and Syre will investigate how automation, electrification and digital technologies can support the development of Syre’s first textile-to-textile recycling facility in Gia Lai province, Vietnam.

The MoU provides a framework for assessing how ABB’s technologies could contribute to safe, efficient and scalable operations. The companies will also examine how process optimisation and quality control could support Syre’s ambition to produce circular polyester at industrial scale.

The proposed facility is designed to recycle polyester from used textiles and industrial waste into new recycled polyester material. Recycling polyester reduces reliance on virgin fossil-based inputs, lowers climate impact and keeps materials in circulation, supporting the transition to a more circular textile industry.

Automation and Digital Technologies Under Evaluation

Under the agreement, ABB and Syre will assess how ABB’s distributed control systems, digital industrial software and electrification portfolio could be adapted to the specific requirements of textile-to-textile polyester recycling.

The work is expected to take place alongside the detailed engineering phase of Syre’s first production plant.

“This agreement reflects ABB’s role in supporting emerging industrial applications where automation and electrification can enable greater resource efficiency,” said Wilson Monteiro, Global Business Line Manager for Pulp, Paper and Fiber, ABB Process Industries. “Together with Syre, we will explore how our experience in fibre processing, chemicals and advanced process industries can be applied to polyester recycling. We’re excited to discover what’s possible as we embark on this new technological collaboration.”

Industrial Partnerships Key to Scaling Circular Polyester

Syre says industrial partnerships will play an important role as it moves from technology development to commercial-scale production.

“As we now move into full industrial deployment, partnerships like this become critical,” said Dennis Nobelius, CEO of Syre. “Industrialising textile-to-textile recycling is a complex undertaking, and while strong customer demand is essential, it must be matched with best-in-class industrial partners. ABB brings exactly the depth of expertise and execution capability needed, they are a cornerstone of the industrial ecosystem we are building.”

Focus Shifts to Commercial-Scale Production

Since launching publicly two years ago, Syre has established a research and development facility and pilot production line in Mebane, North Carolina.

In 2025, the company progressed to multi-ton production of circular polyethylene terephthalate (PET) chips, demonstrating the viability of its textile-to-textile recycling process.

Syre is now advancing plans for its first large-scale production facility in Vietnam, with construction targeted to begin in 2027.

Supporting The Next Generation of Circular Manufacturing

Although the collaboration is exploratory, ABB said the agreement reflects its commitment to supporting emerging fibre-based industries through automation, electrification and digital technologies.

As circular materials move towards industrial-scale production, the partnership aims to explore how these technologies can help enable efficient, scalable manufacturing while supporting the growth of circular polyester production.

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Tier 1 Progress Is Not Cascading Through Supply Chains

The 10th edition of the EcoVadis Sustainability Ratings Index, based on nearly 200,000 scorecards from more than 100,000 companies assessed between 2021 and 2025, found that sustainability improvements are largely concentrated within tier 1 suppliers.

According to the report, 80 per cent of rated companies have no documented process for identifying or managing sustainability risks within their own supply chains. In addition, 73 per cent do not report upstream Scope 3 emissions, while 77 per cent have no downstream emissions tracking.

The report also found that only 2 per cent of companies provide an external grievance mechanism that workers deeper in the supply chain can use to report human rights concerns, while fewer than 1 per cent share detailed, decision-grade sustainability data with buying organisations.

Climate and Human Rights Performance Continues to Improve

Despite the challenges further down the supply chain, the report identifies continued progress within suppliers’ own operations.

Environmental performance recorded the largest improvement of the four themes assessed, with average scores increasing by 9.6 points between 2021 and 2025. The proportion of companies achieving Advanced+ status, with scores of 65 or above on the EcoVadis 0-100 scale, increased from 17 per cent to 38 per cent over the same period.

Climate action also continued to develop, with 46 per cent of rated suppliers purchasing or generating renewable energy and 38 per cent providing climate training for employees. However, the report found that 78 per cent of companies have not established science-based carbon reduction targets.

Labour and Human Rights remained the highest-scoring theme, with an average global score of 59.5. According to the report, 80 per cent of companies have formal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, while 78 per cent have employee health and safety policies in place.

Sustainable Procurement Remains a Weakness

EcoVadis found that supplier sustainability verification continues to rely heavily on documentation rather than direct assessment.

According to the report, 42 per cent of companies still depend on unverified supplier questionnaires, while only 46 per cent require suppliers to sign a sustainability code of conduct. Just 20 per cent conduct on-site supplier audits, a figure that has changed little over the past four years.

Supplier Data Quality Limits AI Adoption

The report also highlights the relationship between supplier data quality and the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in sustainable procurement.

According to the accompanying EcoVadis Barometer 2026 report, 68 per cent of corporate buyers have deployed AI tools within their sustainable procurement programmes, with 62 per cent using them to validate carbon data.

However, supplier data remains a significant constraint. The report found that 30 per cent of suppliers provide no carbon data, while a further 26 per cent submit only aggregated estimates.

“Organisations have built sophisticated tools to analyze supplier sustainability data. The suppliers either don’t have that data or can’t report it in a form the tools can use,” said Sylvain Guyoton, Chief Rating Officer, EcoVadis. “Better software does not close that gap. The measurement problem lives in the supply base itself, and closing it requires sustained engagement over time: structured assessment, scored performance, and documented follow-through.”

Long-Term Supplier Engagement Improves Performance

The report suggests that sustained supplier engagement can significantly improve sustainability performance.

Across company sizes and sectors, organisations that had received multiple EcoVadis ratings scored an average of 63.2, compared with 51.5 for companies being assessed for the first time, representing an average improvement of 12 points.

“Companies willing to treat supplier engagement as an ongoing process, rather than a one-time compliance exercise, close the distance between what they intend and what they can actually verify,” added Sylvain Guyoton.

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A FIVE-YEAR ROADMAP FOR GROWTH

Stellantis has unveiled FaSTLAne 2030, a five-year strategic plan that will guide the company’s growth between 2026 and 2030 through investments exceeding €60 billion.

Designed to deliver sustainable, profitable growth, the strategy combines Stellantis’ portfolio of global brands with focused capital allocation, technological innovation, regional decision-making, and an expanded network of strategic partnerships.

“We have great people, global scale, unmatched brands, deep regional roots and strong dealer partnerships,” says Antonio Filosa, CEO of Stellantis.

“Combined with innovation, execution and win-win partnerships, those strengths position us to deliver on our FaSTLAne 2030 ambitions – moving people with brands and products they love and trust.”

Built around six strategic pillars, the roadmap focuses on sharper portfolio management, disciplined investment, partnerships, manufacturing optimisation, operational excellence, and empowering regional teams.

INVESTING IN BRANDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Approximately 60 percent of the planned investment will support Stellantis’ brands and products, including the launch of more than 60 all-new vehicles and around 50 significant model refreshes across battery electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and internal combustion powertrains.

The company has identified Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, and FIAT as its four global brands, with 70 percent of brand and product investment directed towards these marques and Pro One, Stellantis’ commercial vehicle business.

The remaining 40 percent of investment will be allocated to global platforms, powertrains, and technology, with the aim of simplifying vehicle architectures while allowing brands to maintain distinct customer experiences.

By 2030, Stellantis expects half of its global annual vehicle volume to be built on three global platforms, including the new STLA One architecture, whilst AI-enabled technologies such as STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive are scheduled to launch in 2027.

PARTNERSHIPS AND REGIONAL STRENGTH

Strategic collaborations form another cornerstone of FaSTLAne 2030.

Stellantis plans to expand partnerships with organisations including Leapmotor International, Dongfeng, Tata, Jaguar Land Rover, Applied Intuition, Qualcomm, Wayve, NVIDIA, Uber, Mistral AI, and CATL to accelerate product development, strengthen manufacturing, improve sourcing, and expand market reach.

Alongside these partnerships, the company is placing greater responsibility in the hands of its regional businesses.

Each region will develop plans tailored to local customer preferences whilst benefiting from Stellantis’ global scale. North America is expected to receive 60 percent of investments in brands and products, whilst Enlarged Europe will focus on affordable electric mobility, including a new generation of European-built city EVs based on the forthcoming STLA One platform.

DELIVERING LONG-TERM VALUE

Operational execution is another major focus of the strategy.

Stellantis aims to reduce vehicle development times from as much as 44 months in 2026 to 24 months, whilst targeting top-quartile quality performance across all regions by 2028.

The company’s Value Creation Program is expected to generate €6 billion in annual cost reductions by 2028, supported by more than 120 AI applications already deployed throughout its operations.

Financially, FaSTLAne 2030 targets revenue growth from €154 billion in 2025 to €190 billion by 2030, alongside a seven percent adjusted operating income margin, €6 billion in industrial free cash flow, and more than €1.5 billion in adjusted operating income from Stellantis Financial Services.

Together, these initiatives are intended to strengthen Stellantis’ competitiveness whilst delivering greater customer value through focused investment, technological innovation, and regionally tailored execution.

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EMISSIONS MILESTONES ACHIEVED  

LG Electronics (LG) has published its 2025–2026 Sustainability Report, outlining the company’s latest environmental, social and governance (ESG) achievements as it continues to pursue its vision of creating a Better Life for All. 

Amongst the report’s key findings is that LG has already exceeded several of its sustainability targets set for 2030, including goals relating to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste recycling. 

Across its domestic and international operations, the company’s Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions reached 842,000 tonnes (t) of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂eq) during 2025. This places LG comfortably below its 2030 target of 878,000 tCO₂eq and reflects continued investment in energy-efficient technologies alongside a greater transition towards renewable electricity. 

The milestone supports LG’s broader objective of cutting GHG emissions by 54.6 percent by 2030 compared to 2017 levels. 

LOWER EMISSIONS ACROSS PRODUCT USE  

The report also highlights progress in reducing emissions generated during the use of LG’s products. 

In 2025, carbon emissions per unit across the company’s seven major product categories were reduced by 22.5 percent compared to 2020, surpassing its 2030 target of a 20 percent reduction. 

This target had previously been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), making LG the first South Korean home appliance manufacturer to receive SBTi approval for this type of emissions reduction goal. 

DRIVING RESOURCE CIRCULARITY  

Alongside its emissions progress, LG has also exceeded its long-term waste management ambitions. 

During 2025, the company achieved a waste recycling rate of 97.3 percent across all domestic and overseas business sites, outperforming its 2030 target of 95 percent. 

LG also retained Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) certification across all of its domestic production facilities, with each of its five manufacturing sites maintaining the highest Platinum rating. 

Its global recycling initiatives also continued to expand. Throughout 2025, LG collected 640,000 t of used electronic products from 91 locations across 56 countries, increasing the company’s cumulative e-waste recovery total to more than 5.65 million t since 2006. 

EXPANDING ACCESSIBILITY  

Beyond its environmental initiatives, the report outlines LG’s ongoing efforts to improve accessibility across its products and customer services. 

The company continues to broaden the availability of its LG Comfort Kit, which is designed to make household appliances easier to use regardless of age, gender, or disability. 

Additional accessibility initiatives include wider implementation of braille and tactile guides, kiosks featuring sign-language avatars at service centres, and the LG Easy TV, developed specifically for senior users. 

LG also offers inclusive customer support services, including sign language consultations for customers with hearing impairments and dedicated assistance for older consumers. 

GOVERNANCE AND RESPONSIBLE AI  

The latest report also details measures introduced to enhance corporate governance. 

LG has separated the positions of Chief Executive Officer and board chairperson, with an independent director appointed as chair earlier this year to strengthen board oversight and improve governance transparency. 

Recognising the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) across its operations, the company has also introduced a dedicated Responsible AI section within the Sustainability Report. 

The new section outlines LG’s AI Ethics Principles alongside its governance framework, with the company stating its intention to continue strengthening accountability and transparency throughout the development and application of AI technologies. 

CONTINUED GLOBAL ESG RECOGNITION  

LG’s sustainability progress has also been recognised through a series of leading global ESG assessments. 

The company has now been included in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index (DJBIC World) for 14 consecutive years and has ranked within the “Top 1%” of S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) for the third successive year. 

In addition, LG received an “AA” rating from Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), improving on the previous year’s result, whilst also securing its second consecutive Platinum rating from EcoVadis, an accolade awarded to the top one percent of companies within their respective industries. 

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A FAST-GROWING MARKET

Germany has become one of Europe’s most active markets for trade between private individuals, according to DHL’s latest E-Commerce Trends Report. Spanning clothing, electronics, and household goods, approximately 67 percent of online shoppers in the country have already participated in the selling of items via an online marketplace.

One of the most rapidly expanding online marketplaces within the continent is Vinted – a leading platform for second-hand items headquartered in Lithuania. Together, as part of a strategic partnership, DHL and Vinted are working to drive the continued growth of the second-hand market in Germany.

Through the combination of DHL’s nationwide presence and Vinted’s broad reach, the two companies are expanding and simplifying the shipping and collection of parcels, with a specific focus on locker-to-locker shipping options.

“Reselling used goods online has evolved from a niche activity to an everyday phenomenon within just a few years. As a result, expectations regarding shipping are rising. People buying and selling privately want shipping to involve as little effort as possible. It should be just as easy as purchasing from an online store. Many people want to send or collect parcels independently of opening hours. This is exactly why automated solutions such as Packstations are becoming increasingly important. That is also why we will continue to invest heavily in expanding our automated network in the years ahead. Vinted is one of the companies driving Europe’s booming second-hand market. We are delighted to continue Vinted’s success story in Germany together,” states Benjamin Rasch, Head of Sales and Products, Post & Parcel Germany, DHL Group.

INVESTING IN SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS

Through DHL’s Packstations, Vinted’s buyers and sellers are able to drop off and collect parcels as and when it best suits them. Additionally, no prior registration is required to ship or collect via Packstations. A collection code is sent by DHL and will, in the near future, be directly available through Vinted.

Already operating around 41,000 parcel drop-off and collection points nationwide, DHL’s expanded network of Packstations, Poststations, and DeinFach lockers is anticipated to grow from 18,500 to over 30,000 by 2030 to accommodate the fast-growing market.

Also highlighted in the E-Commerce Trends Report is how widely shipping services are already in use in the peer-to-peer market. According to research, approximately 70 percent of respondents use parcel shops or automated lockers to ship online items, whilst the remaining 30 percent hand goods over in person.

Dovilė Riškutė, Senior Director of Business Development and Operations, Vinted Go, notes that, “Tons of people in Germany use Vinted to give products a second life. This requires shipping solutions that fit seamlessly into everyday life. Thanks to DHL’s nationwide network and, in particular, its 24/7 accessible Packstations, our members can send and receive parcels with maximum flexibility. This provides a strong base for further expanding our offering in Germany, and deliver against our ambitious growth aspiration.”

For Vinted, keeping products in use for longer is a core element of its business model, whilst DHL is actively investing in the sustainability of its logistics network. Therefore, this strategic partnership combines reselling used goods with low-emission parcel delivery.

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