There is aneed for action when it comes to sustainability
The low level of standardization means that SLTs have a short service life: the containers are scrapped after just three to four years of use, or after seven to eight years at the latest. This situation is exacerbated by the ever-shorter life cycles of products. New product series require the production of new SLTs, which in turn shortens the useful life even further. This means that high investment costs are incurred again and again at shorter intervals.

In addition, load carriers are often lost during use, as companies lack the necessary means to track the SLT's transportation routes end-to-end. To replace lost SLT, expensive and unsustainable disposable packaging is then used. A negative cycle of wasted resources, production delays and high investment and follow-up costs is emerging.

A project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) has the potential to break this cycle: In the PAiCE technology program, the iSLT.NET project is developing a network for reusable, intelligent special load carriers. With the help of a standardized modular system, not only is the reusability of the special load carriers guaranteed, but the cross-company use of SLT is also made possible.

In this way, cost savings of up to 50% can be achieved over two SLT life cycles. The standardized, cross-user approach also makes it possible to significantly increase the availability of new load carriers in the event of container damage or loss: Whereas today it still takes between eight and 14 weeks for an SLT to arrive at the customer, in future it will be possible to complete this process in just a few working days (depending on the inner workings of the load carrier).

The holistic approach of the project will greatly increase the cost-effectiveness, flexibility and efficiency of SLT and is a first in the industry: Although the modular approach has already been pursued in small projects, it has never before been considered on a cross-user basis. iSLT.NET also equips the SLTs with radio-based technology, which means they can be located at any time. The sensors then provide additional information about the condition of the containers. Follow-up costs due to loss and replacement can thus be significantly reduced. Intelligent and modular SLTs can therefore not only reduce the environmental impact, but also save money. as