From diesel to sustainability: Gheys is transforming its carbon footprint

The CO₂ Challenge Facing Heavy-Duty Transport

Gheys is a leading logistics company serving international manufacturers, distributors and traders. Operational efficiency and reliability are at the core of its activities. At the same time, the company has made sustainability an integral part of its long-term strategy.

The greatest challenge lies in the CO₂ emissions generated by its truck fleet, which still largely relies on diesel, combined with the lack of in-house expertise to fully measure and manage its carbon footprint. Electrification in heavy-duty transport remains both technically and commercially challenging, as batteries are heavy, vehicle range is limited and investment costs remain high. Nevertheless, Gheys is committed to reducing its environmental impact wherever possible, from energy consumption and fleet management to operational efficiency.

Encon Helps Gheys Gain Control Over Its CO₂ Emissions

To gain a clear understanding of its environmental impact and establish a structured reduction pathway, Gheys partnered with Encon.

Our approach was built around three key pillars:

Carbon Footprint Analysis

We started with a comprehensive carbon footprint assessment covering Scopes 1, 2 and 3 for the 2022 baseline year. Encon conducted on-site analyses to identify the main emission hotspots and uncover opportunities for emissions reduction.

Knowledge Transfer

Gheys received tailored training enabling its teams to calculate, monitor and manage the company’s carbon footprint independently. This strengthened internal ownership and ensured sustainability became embedded within the organisation.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

Encon conducts an annual review of the carbon footprint calculations, verifies data quality, incorporates methodological updates and identifies new optimisation opportunities.

55% Less CO₂: Turning Ambitious Targets into Action

As a result of this collaboration, Gheys can now calculate and monitor its carbon footprint on an annual basis. This enables the company to closely track progress towards its ambitious target of reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to the 2022 baseline.

The strategy has already translated into tangible actions and measurable results:

• Three on-site wind turbines generate sufficient electricity for BLC Beringen, with surplus energy fed back into the grid.
• The new headquarters operates as an energy-neutral building thanks to solar panels and sustainable design principles.
• New forklift trucks and reach stackers are powered by electric motors, while diesel-powered aerators have been replaced with electric alternatives.
• Warehouses and silo parks have been upgraded with LED lighting, resulting in energy savings of 45% and 61% respectively.
• The passenger vehicle fleet is on track to be fully electrified by 2026.
• Pilot projects involving hydrogen-powered trucks have been launched in collaboration with forward-thinking customers.

By combining robust carbon management with targeted investments in renewable energy, electrification and operational efficiency, Gheys is demonstrating that even in a hard-to-abate sector such as heavy-duty transport, meaningful progress towards decarbonisation is possible.