Septodont commits to decarbonizing transport by joining the FRET21 initiative with the support of Citwell 

A low-carbon strategy fully integrated into Septodont’s CSR commitments

For over 90 years, Septodont has been a major player in the dental sector, with an international presence in more than 110 countries worldwide. The French mid-sized company, which employs over 2,300 people and recorded sales of 410 million euros in 2023, has six production sites worldwide (including two in France, one in Canada, two in Brazil and one in India), and research and development centers in France and Canada. The Group has launched an ambitious program to cut its CO2 emissions by 50% across scopes 1 and 2 and is also seeking to align itself with the Paris Agreement for scope 3. For several years now, Septodont has been taking tangible steps to limit its environmental footprint, both in its manufacturing processes and in the management of its logistics operations, and is rolling out various initiatives, from designing eco-friendly buildings that comply with BREEAM or LEED standards to implementing waste management plans and controlling gas and water consumption.

“Our commitment to the energy transition goes beyond isolated actions, it is an integral part of our broader corporate social responsibility strategy,” explains Loïc Allanos, Septodont’s CSR Director. “Joining the FRET21 initiative is a natural extension of this approach, and we are pleased to be able to count on Citwell’s support to structure and strengthen our actions in the field of transport.”

A roadmap outlined in a multi-year plan

Septodont joined FRET21 to reinforce its decarbonization policy for cope 3 freight/transport. Jean-Yves Doré, Global Supply Chain Director, wanted to engage the group to this program with a structured approach. Following a call for tenders from firms listed by FRET21, Septodont chose to work with Citwell for its supply chain expertise and in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry sector.

Citwell’s support was instrumental in the development of Septodont’s decarbonization roadmap. Leveraging its expertise, the firm assisted the pharmaceutical group in defining clear objectives and implementing concrete measures to fulfill its commitments under the FRET21 initiative.

“We needed a structured approach to design a clear and actionable roadmap to reduce our transport-related CO2 emissions. Citwell’s expertise was crucial in identifying the most relevant initiatives and enabling us to make measurable, structured progress over the next three years, without disrupting our operations,” explains Jean-Yves Doré.

“Engaging our teams was also essential, as well as building a solid case to support and motivate our decisions. In addition to the methodology, Citwell provided us with a comprehensive communication kit, facilitating employee engagement in the initiative. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Customer Service department, a key player in the implementation of this project”, he adds.

Comprehensive mapping of transport flows and identification of key action levers

Citwell has carried out a detailed mapping of Septodont’s logistics flows, taking into account the specific features of its supply chain. Septodont ships to over 110 countries, using various transport modes tailored to each market and a diverse range of order types, from small parcels in France to pallets and sea containers for export. These shipments operate within a stringent pharmaceutical environment, including temperature-controlled conditions for export.

For each logistics flow, all potential solutions were thoroughly explored, using benchmarks of existing technologies and models. Citwell identified and evaluated several decarbonization levers, assessing not only their carbon footprint impact, but also their financial cost, feasibility (in-house or through service providers), benefits, and potential impact on customers.

This in-depth analysis enabled us to define priorities and classify levers according to their ease of implementation, timeline and potential impact. Some actions could be implemented quickly, particularly those managed by in-house teams, while others required broader consultation due to* their impact on customers and partners.

“What stands out about Septodont is its willingness to explore every opportunity without constraints. It’s invaluable to work with such an open-minded group,” says Audrey Cosperec, Manager at Citwell.

Key measures in Septodont’s decarbonization roadmap

The key actions in Septodont’s decarbonization trajectory were outlined in a multi-year plan. An action plan was quickly formalized during workshops with the teams.

– 75% reduction in air transport: Septodont analyzed the relevant logistics flows and optimization levers. By consolidating orders, lower-impact transport alternatives such as sea and rail became viable options. A detailed carbon footprint assessment was conducted to evaluate alternatives and their impact on lead times and costs. Air transport will only be used for urgent orders.

– Transition to HVO** biofuel for the inter-site shuttle: Starting in early 2025, the 30 km monthly journey between the Saint-Maur production site and the Croissy-Beaubourg distribution site will be made with an HVO-powered semi-trailer, significantly cutting CO₂ emissions.

– Adjusting shipping schedules in Europe to optimize truck loading rates by encouraging customers to consolidate their orders and reduce empty loads.

– Environmental labeling and certification for carriers. Over the next three years, Septodont aims to increase the number of its transport partners that are chartered or certified under the EVE program. As of now, five partners have begun the process.

– Active collaboration with carriers to explore low-carbon transport solutions, such as cargo sailboats. The teams are currently in the observation phase, awaiting mature solutions before implementation.

This action plan is expected to cut CO₂ emissions in France by 16% over the next three years, equivalent to approximately 500 tonnes of CO2, despite an anticipated increase in logistics flows. By joining FRET21, Septodont becomes part of a program and a community that fosters best practice exchanges with peers, encouraging deeper reflection both internally and externally on innovative solutions. This initiative also enables to assess the level of maturity of certain practices, and to constantly identify opportunities for continuous improvement towards more sustainable transport.

The measures implemented in France’s supply chain will gradually be extended to Canada in a second phase, incorporating action levers tailored to the market’s specific characteristics and constraints. However, the methodology developed by Citwell within the FRET21 initiative will remain unchanged. “We are committed to the progressive decarbonization of our portfolio and value chain and are working in parallel to preserve natural resources. It is a long-term commitment in which we are fully invested”, concludes Loïc Allanos.

*EVE Program (Voluntary Commitment to the Environment).
** Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil