by Walther Ploos van Amstel
Rigid polyurethane (PU) foams are everywhere: they keep our homes warm and our refrigerators cool. Yet, until now, their end-of-life options have been limited to landfill or incineration — wasting valuable raw materials and contributing to climate burdens. The European research project CIRCULAR FOAM – Systemic Expansion of Territorial Circular Ecosystems for End-of-Life Foam set …
Autonomous delivery robots are no longer science fiction. They’re becoming real players in last-mile logistics. Their appeal is clear: robots can cut costs, lower emissions, ease congestion, and even reach narrow streets where vans struggle. But robots come with limits too. Their range, carrying capacity, and need for regular maintenance mean they can’t replace vans …
Recent research has underscored the central role of local authorities in shaping sustainable urban logistics. Although European directives have long encouraged greener freight solutions, French planning documents have historically paid limited attention to logistics. A new study, analyzing 121 local authorities, provides fresh insights into how urban logistics is being gradually integrated into local public …
Seattle is preparing to launch the nation’s first connected network of community food micro-pantries, equipped with smart sensors to track supply and demand. The pilot, led by the Urban Freight Lab (UFL) at the University of Washington, aims to predict food needs, reduce waste, and ensure donations reach those who need them most. The initiative …
Urban freight is the silent engine of city life. From parcels and groceries to construction materials, logistics keeps urban economies moving. Yet this essential flow of goods also contributes heavily to congestion, noise, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. With urban populations and e-commerce both rising sharply, sustainable solutions for city logistics are more urgent …
On 17 September 2025, ALICE, POLIS, and the European Parking Association (EPA) presented a Joint Statement during the EPA Conference in Brussels. It marks a new milestone in their long-standing collaboration on urban freight, curbside management, and sustainable mobility. Building on a shared journey The three organisations have worked together for years through joint workshops, …
Cities across Europe are under pressure to deliver cleaner, safer, and more efficient urban logistics. With zero-emission zones expanding, e-commerce booming, and construction traffic reshaping streets, the need for reliable data on freight flows has never been greater. The recent recommendations of the Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) highlight how data sharing can unlock …
Online shopping keeps growing, but so do problems with parcel deliveries. Missed drop-offs, misplaced packages, and confusion over where items end up are fueling frustration among customers. In Germany, the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) has taken Deutsche Post to court, arguing that its delivery rules are too vague. At the heart of the …
Supply chains are under increasing pressure. Globalization, shifting market demands, and sustainability requirements have made networks more complex, while traditional systems struggle with fragmented data and limited analytical tools. To remain competitive, organizations need new approaches that can capture complexity, monitor operations in real time, and support better decision-making. One of the most promising solutions …
City logistics is under pressure. Zero-emission zones are rolling out, streets are busier than ever, and public space is scarce. At the same time, new technologies and business models are emerging—from e-cargo bikes and autonomous robots to digital curb management platforms and microhubs. The challenge is clear: how do we create room to experiment, without …