Distribo 3.0: Sustainable and open to technology

The complex of seven hall sections is managed by Disitribo, a life science logistics company that provides production supply and disposal as well as the worldwide distribution of life science products for Sartorius. The company is a joint venture between Friedrich Zufall and the Sartorius technology group. The 10,000 m² extension, which was planned and built on the basis of the processes, has now been inaugurated. Part of the building is also a new 2,000 square meter repair center for Sartorius, which was built with the same aspects in mind.

Positive energy balance: heat pumps, ice storage and storage technology

Life science products need to be stored at constant temperatures. Zufall meets this challenge with special technology and combines concrete core activation, heat pumps, ice storage and photovoltaics. The special feature is that the hall and repair center are both heated and actively cooled. Depending on the work area and requirements, temperatures between 15 and 25 °C are guaranteed all year round. The balance is energy-positive. The use of modern storage technology, including driverless transport systems, and the use of intelligent LED lighting systems complete the range of measures.

The cradle-to-cradle principle provides the basic idea: the materials used in construction should be easy to recycle and reuse at the end of their service life. As the client, Zufall has largely dispensed with composite materials and plastics.

The roof structure is made of wood. Mineral insulation materials and plaster have been used for the façades and roofs. The outdoor area is also part of the sustainability concept. A green façade protects against direct sunlight. Rainwater is retained in near-natural wetland biotopes on the property. The selected tree species are also adapted to possible future climate changes.

Grown partnership

The partnership with Sartorius for the provision of complex logistics services has existed for over 20 years, and more than twice as long in the transportation sector. During this time, Zufall has accompanied the growth of the bio-pharmaceutical company logistically, provided space at the site with two extensions and built up special expertise in life science logistics. This includes storage in seven different temperature zones down to -180 °C and the handling of products that fall under the Genetic Engineering Safety Ordinance. Distribo was awarded the required safety level 2 in 2020.

Making logistics sustainable is the goal of Peter Müller-Kronberg, CEO and owner of the Zufall Logistics Group. "The logistics hall is sustainable thanks to the many individual components, which together guarantee a long service life for the building, have a climate-friendly impact and minimize our energy costs. And they create a good environment for the 210 or so Distribo and Sartorius employees who work here. Our decisions are always about this triad of people, planet and profit. We are green in all three dimensions for this project. This shows impressively that our strategy is working."