The Dematic Multishuttle® 2 is officially Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze

One way to using resources more responsibly is the “Cradle to Cradle” (C2C) approach, which aims to eliminate waste by designing products and systems to be perpetually recycled, mimicking biological life cycles.

One of KION’s subsidiaries, Dematic, has reached a major milestone in its efforts to incorporate more circular processes into its products and services. The Dematic Multishuttle 2 — a shuttle-based automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) and one of the brand’s best-selling and most complex solutions — has recently officially been Cradle to Cradle Certified® when it received a bronze certification from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute .

We recently discussed KION’s approach to circularity with two colleagues in our CTO organization, who are both deeply involved in key projects: Susanna Felker, Research Engineer Innovation and Advanced Automation, and Eva Virtute, Director Advocacy & Product Sustainability & Competence Center Sustainability.

Let's start with Susanna and the Dematic Multishuttle® 2. Susanna, you have been working on incorporating the C2C approach into product design since 2021 . Can you tell us why it was decided to pursue the certification specifically for the Multishuttle 2 and what potential you see in this approach?

Susanna Felker: The Dematic Multishuttle® 2 is the symbol of our expertise in automated warehouse systems and is used worldwide in highly dynamic logistics centers. We consider it a benchmark for efficient storage and retrieval processes. Integrating C2C into the product design has been a significant undertaking for our Technology & Innovation Team, driving genuine innovation.

The C2C framework requires holistic consideration of products throughout their entire lifecycles. It necessitates high transparency and close collaboration within the supply chain. Material health, the assessment of the chemical composition of each product component, is a particularly important aspect of the C2C assessment. These factors motivate improvements in product recyclability, disassembly, energy efficiency and circularity.

In short, C2C allows us to combine ecological responsibility with technical innovation in a relatively unexplored area of our industry. It makes it all the more exciting.

What specific changes were required to achieve the certification?

Susanna Felker: The process of obtaining the C2C certification was an intensive company wide effort but incredibly informative. First, we had to conduct an entire inventory of every material used – in close collaboration with our suppliers - down to the chemical substance level to truly understand what each individual component consists of.

Fortunately, our engineers designed the Dematic Multishuttle 2 in a way that made it compatible with Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze requirements from a material health perspective, which was assessed and confirmed after an extensive data acquisition process and detailed material analysis.

Additionally, the Dematic Multishuttle 2 has a very high material re-use rate in terms of recyclability. Still, we identified areas for improvement and defined strategies for further development because a C2C certificate is only the beginning of a continuous improvement process which merges technical and ecological requirements. As part of the certification process, we had our guidelines, steps and Dematic Multishuttle 2 production comprehensively assessed in terms of our sustainability strategy, human rights, water management and air quality standards.

It has been a significant undertaking, but it has brought us the certification and strengthened our internal processes, raised awareness, and opened new innovation spaces.

Eva, it sounds like all the hard work has indeed paid off! In your experience, what role do lifecycle assessments (LCAs) play in supporting these kinds of initiatives and broader sustainability goals?

Eva Virtute: LCA is a scientific methodology that can help realize carbon-neutral products by adopting a lifecycle approach. Indeed, LCAs allow us to identify the environmental impacts of products and their related hotspots – areas with the most environmental impact. The findings provide useful information for internal decision-makers regarding environmental management. They can help determine how to manage the end of life or waste management. LCAs also help product developers make choices related to design, material selection and component durability.

Susanna mentioned that an LCA was conducted for the Dematic Multishuttle 2. How do the two methodologies, C2C and LCA, interact and complement each other?

Susanna Felker: An LCA was conducted for the technology, and it is an important building block for making environmental impacts measurable.

Eva Virtute: And our experience shows that an LCA is an ideal foundation for beginning C2C activities since many analyses and hotspots align with it. Of course, the C2C analysis is broader, allowing us to go beyond the “end of life” phase and implement circular economy principles with regard to products and our own processes.

Looking at other KION solutions, Eva, can you tell us more about the status of the company’s current LCA efforts and how they're evolving?

Eva Virtute: In 2023, our LCA experts conducted an in-depth lifecycle assessment analysis for six truck series with various impact categories such as carbon and water footprints. The analysis improved internal knowledge and supported our teams in making more sustainable choices based on concrete evidence.

Training and awareness also play an essential role. We have worked to promote an eco-friendly mindset internally, beginning with a series of trainings offered in 2024. They were successful, and beginning in Q3 of 2025, a new LCA training package is available to all KION employees.

Finally, Eva, the carbon footprint of our products is becoming increasingly important. Can you elaborate?

Eva Virtute: Yes, the carbon footprint is a key topic for two primary reasons: customer demand – competitiveness and a necessity for the market - and compliance with regulations. However, many EU regulations, from eco-design for sustainable products to the carbon border adjustment mechanism, require this data from manufacturers and the supply chain. We recently received the first CO₂ footprint certificate according to ISO 14067 for the Linde N20, SV-Type 1115 N20 – one of our order pickers. We are proud of the achievement which motivates us to continue improving our sustainability efforts.

Thank you both for sharing your insights!