European industrial real estate leader Panattoni has developed another green project for DB Schenker. In Świdnik at the beginning of this year, a cross-docking terminal of around 5,165 sqm was constructed and has now successfully completed its BREEAM certification with a rating of ‘Very Good’. In particular, high points were scored for the water system as well as the ecological approach to the project and its site management. The centre is partially powered with electricity from renewable energy sources and with the application of sustainable solutions CO2 emissions have been reduced by around 30 percent and water usage has been cut by 67 percent. Almost PLN 50 million has been invested in the project.
This was the third time that DB Schenker chose Panattoni to develop a centre that would meet the highest standards of modern and ecologically friendly construction. This time the developer delivered a 5,165 sqm cross-docking terminal with 45 loading bays and 665 sqm of office and social space. The centre, which DB Schenker is to use to service its clients from the Lublin area, has been equipped with numerous sustainable solutions and passed its BREEAM certification with a rating of ‘Very Good’. Out of BREEAM’s ten categories, the centre was awarded scores in two that were much higher than expected. For Water, the centre received the points required for a rating of ‘Outstanding’, which is the highest awarded under BREEAM, and for Land Use & Ecology the centre received a rating of ‘Excellent’.
The extremely high scores awarded to DB Schenker’s cross-docking terminal results from the advanced ecologically sustainable solutions applied. It was possible to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating because, among other things, components were installed to ensure that water usage was reduced by more than 67 percent compared to an average model. Additionally, waterless urinals were installed as well as toilets with reduced water flow. Electronic valves cut off the water supply ensuring that there are no leaks. Also, a modern BMS monitors usage levels. The ‘Excellent’ rating awarded to the centre for Land Use & Ecology resulted from factors such as working with a fully qualified ecologist. With this expert’s support, it was possible to reduce the harm to the surrounding area caused by the construction work and to preserve the location’s flora and fauna. Moreover, Panattoni planted native trees and a flower meadow with flowering plants attractive to pollinators and also set up an insect hotel. To help maintain these solutions, a biodiversity development plan has been drawn up.
Panattoni has also implemented a host of solutions for the other remaining categories. The developer has taken care to provide comfortable working conditions for the centre’s users such as applying solutions that allow natural light to be used effectively. Moreover, the Life Cycle Analysis of the building received a score of 89,2 percent and confirms that maximum reductions have been achieved for energy – down by 34 percent, CO2 emissions – down by 29 percent, and also for its impact on the environment. The high scores were helped by using electricity from renewable energy sources, a control system for the outdoor lights based on an astronomical clock and motion sensors, recycling the maximum amount of waste and a modern air-conditioning system with reduced coolant emissions.
“The developments we undertake for DB Schenker are a superb test of what we can do to deliver an ecologically friendly centre constructed in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. Once again we have shown by obtaining a certificate for the centre in Świdnik that our developments go beyond the standards of the here and now. For two of the categories the development received a rating higher than ‘Very Good’ and for us, we take this as a sign for our future developments, The first centre to be awarded a rating of ‘Excellent are already appearing in Panattoni’s portfolio and last year in Cheb in the Czech Republic, we completed our first-ever development to be awarded ‘Outstanding’,” commented Emilia Dębowska, Sustainability Manager at Panattoni.
The construction of the cross-docking terminal in Świdnik is already the third green development that Panattoni has undertaken for DB Schenker. In January this year, the developer delivered a centre in Rzeszów with solar heaters, a greywater system, and a heating ventilation system that can recover 90 percent of the heat exhausted. The building was not only ecologically friendly but also received an Accreditation of Innovation from the Rzeszów Agency of Regional Development. The first green project jointly undertaken by the developer and the logistics operator was a centre in Nowa Wieś Wrocławska, which Panattoni delivered at the end of 2018/beginning of 2019. The sustainable solutions used there allowed energy use to be halved and CO2 emissions to be lowered by 230 tons in comparison to a more traditional centre.
