CHEP Australia, part of global logistics company Brambles, has moved closer to its net-zero emissions goal by installing electric heat pumps at its Kenwick Service Centre in Perth.
Replacing natural gas-powered systems, the new heat pump setup is designed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining the operational performance required for washing Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs).
The initiative aligns with Brambles’ broader decarbonisation strategy, which aims to reach net-zero emissions across all scopes by 2040 – ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement target.
“The electric heat pump technology is another step on our decarbonisation roadmap, and we are excited to be piloting this at the Kenwick Service Centre,” said Jake Weragoda, Decarbonisation Lead at CHEP Australia.
The system features four electric heat pump units, powered entirely by renewable electricity, with an anticipated reduction of approximately 193 tonnes of CO?-equivalent emissions per year.
In contrast to traditional gas boilers, the pumps emit no greenhouse gases and produce only cool air as a by-product.
“While this is not new technology, we’ve applied it in a way that meets our high operational standards without emissions,” said Jeremy Newman, the project’s Lead Engineer.
CHEP Australia’s efforts in Western Australia are part of a broader national strategy that includes deploying electric forklifts, installing rooftop solar at 10 service centres, sourcing 100% renewable electricity, and optimising logistics to reduce transport inefficiencies.
These actions contribute to Brambles’ 2030 science-based targets, which aim for a 42% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 17% reduction in Scope 3 emissions.
“These initiatives are collectively building momentum in our ongoing commitment to decarbonise our operations and achieve our group climate-positive ambition, in a business positive way,” said Renee Holbrook, General Manager of CHEP Australia.
“Our holistic approach to decarbonisation is enabling us to continue delivering for our customers with a lower environmental footprint.”
The electric heat pump installation also supports global initiatives such as the Global Power Systems Transformation (GPST), which Australia is actively engaged in.
Through such collaborations, Australia and companies like CHEP are helping to advance renewable energy adoption and contribute to the global development of clean, scalable technologies.
CHEP Australia plans to expand the rollout of electric heat pump systems across its crate-washing service centres in Australia and New Zealand, with a global deployment strategy set to unfold before 2030.
