Celtic Renewables and LogChain advance sustainable shipping

Grangemouth-based Scottish green chemical and biofuel producer Celtic Renewables has partnered with LogChain, the digital supply chain and logistics software developer, to make international shipping more sustainable with the first digitalised shipment of green chemicals.

Celtic used LogChain’s private blockchain-based software solution to manage a sample shipment of bio-butanol made using locally sourced by-products and waste from the food, drink and agricultural industries at its biorefinery at Grangemouth in Scotland, as it was transported round the world to the island city state of Singapore in Southeast Asia.
The bio-butanol shipment left Grangemouth on 24 September, travelled 8340 nautical miles from London Gateway port, and arrived in Singapore 32 days and eight hours later.

LogChain’s report noted that the digitalised system cut administrative handling and documentation time for the shipment by 50%.
Platform alerts reduced email traffic, and automated task assignment and real-time dashboards reduced delays in coordination.

Bettina Brierley, chief commercial officer of Celtic Renewables, said: “If we want to achieve net zero, companies in every industry and sector need to introduce low-waste, energy-saving practices across their operations and supply chains.

“For import and export businesses, this means examining how they ship and receive goods and products – whether at a local, national or international level.”

LogChain CEO Andie McKeown added: “We’re delighted to support an innovative company like Celtic Renewables in demonstrating how digital trade can directly enable sustainable growth.

“Our two companies’ work together proves that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand. This project shows how technology and partnership can deliver real-world results, driving progress for trade, the environment, and the wider economy.”