The Liechtenstein-based dental and medical technology company is now transporting more sustainably with the help of DHL Freight. Sebastian Härtlein made it possible.
For the past two years, Sebastian Härtlein has managed the DHL Freight terminal in Buchs, Switzerland, overseeing 65 employees across more than 35,000 square meters of warehousing space.
One of Härtlein’s goals is to help reduce transport-related carbon emissions. “In addition to building-related measures such as solar panels or LED lighting, our decarbonization strategy also requires that we actively reduce our carbon emissions,” he explains.
Recently, Härtlein convinced a key customer to transport goods more sustainably.
The customer is Liechtenstein-based Ivoclar, which manufactures products for dentists and dental technicians. Since April 2025, the company has been using a biogas truck for internal transport between its production site and company headquarters in Schaan, Liechtenstein, and its global logistics center in Ellwangen, Germany.
“Of course that means higher costs for Ivoclar, but they can see tangible results,” says Härtlein. “We’re saving up to 90% carbon emissions. And for the healthcare sector in particular, sustainability is really important issue – another reason why Ivoclar made the right decision with us.”
Ivoclar Vivadent AG
Family-owned company
Founded: 1923
Headquarters: Schaan, Liechtenstein
Production facilities: Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, USA, Philippines
Number of employees: 3,600
Revenue in 2023: CHF 856 million (€915 million)
Over 100 metric tons of CO2 saved per year
A renewable energy source derived from organic waste, biogas supports the circular economy and helps reduce the use of fossil fuels. Compared to a diesel-powered vehicle, a biogas truck can reduce CO2emissions by up to 90%. Deploying the biogas truck daily on this route saves more than 100 metric tons of CO2emissions annually.
The transition to more sustainable transport is one of several sustainability initiatives launched by Ivoclar. “The goal is to use new, eco-friendly technologies for more transport destinations,” explains Marcel Greuter, Director Global Logistics at Ivoclar.
Additional sustainability measures include eco-friendly warehouse management at the Ellwangen logistics center, optimized packaging, filling material from recycled paper, photovoltaic installations and electric vehicles for its fleet, alongside the necessary charging stations.
Sebastian Härtlein’s initiative kickstarted the move to biogas. The successful deployment of the eco-friendly truck includes special branding to put the spotlight on emissions reductions. This has also opened the door to further expanding the green fleet – perhaps using e-trucks next.
Photos: Andreas Oertzen
