RL-Trans’ new transport concept can reduce emissions by 90 percent
After growing steadily for over 25 years, RL-Trans has evolved into one of Europe’s larger players in the bulk logistics sector. Headquartered in Lapväärtti, the company transports and handles unpacked dry bulk products – such as food, feed, and industrial powders – as well as highly sensitive liquid gases. Its operating area covers all of Finland, Scandinavia, the Baltics, and Central Europe.
“Although we have been growing for decades, our annual growth rate still exceeds 10 percent. Over the past years, we have gained momentum especially in international logistics, which now accounts for more than 70 percent of our revenue”, says Market and Sales Manager Andreas Lindedahl.
In 2025, RL-Trans turns 70 years old. For all its history, providing dynamic logistics services tailored to each customer’s needs has been a core value for the company.
“Unlike many other companies of similar size, we take care of the whole logistics chain with assets and a fleet of over 300 transport units owned entirely by us. We also own many warehouses and terminals. Thanks to all this, we maintain full control over quality and operations while providing a wide repertoire of value-added bulk logistics services.”
As the energy transition shapes the logistics industry, RL-Trans is continuously exploring ways to decarbonise its operations. In 2024, the company launched a new concept that involves transporting units also by train, expanding RL-Trans’ multi- and intermodal operations.
“Usually, we transport the products by truck both to the port and from the port to the customer. However, the new concept minimises trucking by replacing major parts of the journey on the road with rail transport”, Lindedahl explains.
“Many of our customers are large-scale global companies that are looking to significantly reduce their carbon footprints. With this new concept, we can cut the emissions of a single shipment by up to 90 percent.”
Despite aiming to scale down road transport, RL-Trans is still investing in new trucks that run on sustainable fuels. Since 2019, it has already acquired several trucks that solely use biogas.
“Although operating biogas trucks requires more route planning due to limited infrastructure, we have been able to provide low-emission transport across Europe with them”, Lindedahl states.
RL-Trans plans to expand its fleet in the future with more heavy-duty trucks that use sustainable fuels. In addition to biogas, there are a lot of potential options for fuel, such as hydrogen, renewable diesel, and synthetic fuels. Of course, electric trucks are also a possible alternative.
“By utilising our multimodal logistics concepts – like combined sea and rail transport – as much as we can and investing in carbon neutral road transport, we follow the EU’s ambitious target to reduce emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030.”
However, Lindedahl points out that bulk logistics is inherently an eco-friendly form of transport. Since products move directly from one process to another without being packaged, a lot of materials are saved down the road.
“This is also one of the reasons why the demand for our services is constantly increasing.”
In addition to sustainability, digitalisation is one of the key areas of investment for RL-Trans. For over 25 years, the company has strived to digitalise all processes to the fullest extent possible. Thanks to this, RL-Trans’ and its customers’ systems are well-integrated.
“Within the bulk logistics sector, we are a forerunner in offering customers real-time data on their shipments. This makes communication very seamless”, Lindedahl underlines.
Efficient optimisation of fuel management, driving, routes, and freight loads is also something RL-Trans has been and is striving for in its digitalisation efforts. This has helped the company in reducing the kilometres driven and minimising fuel consumption. Looking ahead, RL-Trans is focusing more on utilising artificial intelligence in, for instance, optimising routes to reduce emissions even more.
“Thanks to our skilled team of professionals, we are well-prepared to meet the future challenges in the bulk logistics sector.”
