Running smoothly: high-value shipments using vegetable oil
The Planzer subsidiary Helveticor AG is the first Swiss secure logistics company to use hydrotreated vegetable oil for its high-value shipments. The Dietikon-based company operates sustainable secure logistics using its largely carbon-neutral fleet, making a significant contribution to Switzerland’s ambitious climate protection agenda.
Helveticor AG specialises in high-security logistics, valuables logistics and pharmaceutical solutions. In Switzerland and international financial centres, the Dietikon-based company provides a range of secure services for valuables such as gold, silver, platinum, rare earths, gemstones, cryptocurrencies, data carriers, highly sensitive documents and other high-value items. Helveticor provides a fully regulated environment, thereby allowing its customers to retain maximum flexibility.
From 100 to (almost) zero
Sustainable action with regard to the environment, society and governance – ESG for short – has become the number one success factor in most industries. Including the financial sector, where not only investment strategies and products, but also the value chain as a whole, are based on ESG. Helveticor, a secure logistics subsidiary of the Planzer Group, is making great strides in this area. The company was the first valuables logistics provider to convert its entire HGV fleet to hydrotreated vegetable oil, with 90% of its vehicles now being carbon-neutral. But that’s not all: Helveticor was awarded ‘Certified CO2 Optimised’ certification by Swiss Climate on 1 August 2023, thereby accelerating its efforts to meet customer demands for eco-friendly transport solutions.
A sustainable abbreviation
What sounds like the abbreviation of a new healthcare regulation is actually an acronym for high-quality biofuel to reduce CO2. HVO100 stands for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil and refers to a renewable and sustainable alternative to conventional diesel. Vegetable oils and fats are converted into fuel using a hydrogenation process. When HVO100 combusts, considerably less carbon dioxide and pollutants are produced. This significantly reduces the environmental impact compared to traditional diesel. Thanks to its high cetane number, the biofuel ensures efficient, clean combustion, making it ideal for use in sub-zero temperatures. What makes it special is that no engine modifications or special maintenance procedures are required when switching to HVO100 supplied by Neste.
Certified credibility
It hasn’t taken long for Helveticor’s emission reduction efforts to be recognised. Swiss Climate awarded the secure logistics company its ‘Certified CO2 Optimised’ label on 1 August 2023. This seal of approval for holistic carbon management is based on international standards and confirms that Helveticor uses highly optimised, eco-friendly practices to reduce greenhouse gases in the transport business. The label provides credibility, traceability and transparency in matters relating to climate protection and clearly demonstrates that Helveticor is translating rhetoric into action.
Preserving the value of valuables
Freight forwarders and transport companies are under particular attack in the current climate discussion. Many alternative drive technologies cannot currently be scaled for commercial use, as the economies of scale are still too small. Helveticor has taken a different approach. As valuables not only require maximum security standards and absolute discretion, but also additional quality, those responsible at Helveticor also aim to ensure that the supply chain for such valuable goods retains its value in the long term – in line with the motto, ‘Preserving values, creating value’. Helveticor therefore closes the economic cycle for those customers who are not only interested in the purely financial value of an investment, but also in sustainable value creation.
ESG is and will remain part of the family
It comes as no surprise that a subsidiary of the family-owned Planzer company has adopted a sustainable approach. Handling valuables in such a way that they continue to have value for future generations is in the DNA of this traditional Dietikon-based company. In keeping with the family-like corporate culture of its parent company, Helveticor also focuses on long-term customer satisfaction and preserving values. Nils Planzer, CEO of the Planzer Group: ‘For us, sustainability means running a business that is as ESG-compliant as possible, while offering our customers outstanding service quality. This includes using alternative fuels that support our commitment to the environment and society.’
‘We’re proud to be pioneers in the use of HVO as a carbon-neutral fuel.’
Raphael Pfyl, CEO of Helveticor AG, Member of the Swiss Better Gold Association