Post GreenTech Accelerator 2024: DKSH x Smart Tradzt

It has been almost a year since the team at UOB FinLab culminated its GreenTech Accelerator 2024 (GTA). We decided to check in with one of the GreenTech participants and see the progress that is being made.

To recap, during the six–month programme, the selected GreenTechs tackled real-world sustainability pain-points from more than 50 challenge statements to co-create solutions for partnerships and pilot projects. These statements were contributed by 27 challenge partners including UOB as well as our corporate partners.

During the programme, the 33 participating GreenTech firms proposed solutions based on the challenge statements and 16 pilots were selected for funding by UOB FinLab to kick start various pilot projects.

One exciting pilot project is between DKSH and Smart Tradzt.

Photo of all the participating Greentechs.

Driving Carbon Visibility through Lifecycle Analysis

DKSH partnered with Smart Tradzt to quantify the carbon footprint of its packaging through lifecycle analysis (LCA). The pilot focused on evaluating reusable B-boxes against single-use Styrofoam boxes, aiming to uncover opportunities to reduce emissions and improve traceability across DKSH’s supply chain.

Smart Tradzt’s PCF (Product Carbon Footprint) tool was deployed to measure cradle-to-gate (i.e. from raw material extraction to the point a product leaves the factory) and cradle-to-grave (i.e. from raw materials all the way through use and disposal) emissions using primary emission factor data from DKSH’s SME packaging suppliers. This marked a departure from conventional estimation methods, such as spend-based averages, and enabled a more accurate, data-driven understanding of emissions at the supplier level. Key metrics were gathered across material acquisition, storage, and logistics, providing a clear comparison between packaging types.

The resulting data served as a foundation for improved carbon reporting, enabling DKSH to strengthen the accuracy of its environmental disclosures and explore deeper Scope 3 engagement with suppliers. The pilot also highlighted the value of supplier-level PCF quantification in advancing sustainability efforts at scale.

The Insights

The DKSH Lifecycle Analysis event showcased the power of data-driven sustainability, highlighting how lifecycle assessments (LCA) can transform environmental reporting and operational practices. Through collaboration with UOB and the integration of Smart Tradzt’s PCF software, DKSH demonstrated how reusable packaging—specifically B-boxes—significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to single-use Styrofoam.

The event emphasized the importance of transparent emissions data across the cold chain, from electricity consumption and transport logistics to refrigerant leakage. Participants gained insights into regional adoption trends, supplier collaboration, and the strategic role of LCA in achieving net zero goals. The session also reinforced DKSH’s commitment to capacity building, with workshops designed to equip sustainability champions with practical tools for real-world impact across markets.

To illustrate the impact of lifecycle analysis, DKSH uncovered valuable insights through its emissions tracking initiative:

Reusable Packaging Emissions Reduction

Data revealed that transitioning from single-use Styrofoam boxes to reusable B-boxes significantly reduces carbon emissions over a five-year lifecycle. By switching from styrofoam box to B-Box alternatives, the cradle to grave emission was reduced between 16%–65%, depending on box type.
These insights supported the proposal of expanding reusable packaging adoption in key markets such as Taiwan, Vietnam, and Cambodia, with a target of converting 20% of cold chain orders—temperature-sensitive shipments such as food and pharmaceuticals—to B-box usage.

Segmentation of Emission Sources

Smart Tradzt enabled segmentation of emissions by source—electricity consumption, refrigerant leakage, transport fuel, and packaging materials. This allowed DKSH to identify high-impact areas and prioritize interventions, such as optimizing cold room energy use and improving transport logistics.

Capacity Planning and Cold Chain Optimization

Lifecycle-based data analysis supported DKSH in evaluating B-Box utilisation across storage and distribution operations, helping to identify opportunities for resource optimisation and capacity planning within the cold chain.
These insights are now integrated into DKSH’s sustainability reporting and shared with clients to support their own ESG disclosures. The use of Smart Tradzt ensures that all data is traceable, standardized, and aligned with global reporting frameworks—reinforcing DKSH’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement in environmental performance.

Supplier-Level PCF Quantification

With Smart Tradzt’s support, DKSH was able to quantify the PCF of its B-box and Stryofoam suppliers to obtain accurate Scope 3 emissions—indirect emission that occur in a company’s value chain, such as those from suppliers, product use, or waste disposal—for its packaging supply chain and reflect future supplier-level decarbonisation in its own PCF and ESG reporting.
The PCF Insights also empowered SME suppliers who previously lacked the tools to report their emissions accurately using WBCSD’s (World Business Council for Sustainable Development) PACT (Partnership for Carbon Transparency) methodology, which standardises how companies track and share carbon data across supply chains.

Addressing Real Challenges with Impactful Solutions

DKSH’s lifecycle analysis initiative, supported by Smart Tradzt, provides a robust framework for tracking carbon emissions across packaging types, logistics, and cold chain operations. This data enables more accurate sustainability reporting and reveals opportunities to improve infrastructure—such as optimizing energy use in cold rooms and reducing refrigerant leakage.

The analysis highlighted the environmental benefits of reusable packaging, with B-boxes showing significantly lower emissions over a five-year lifecycle compared to Styrofoam. These insights support DKSH’s strategy to expand reusable packaging adoption in key markets and enhance collaboration across the value chain.

Smart Tradzt also enables ongoing monitoring and data consolidation, helping DKSH uncover trends, manage emissions efficiently, and align with its net zero goals. By integrating lifecycle data into operational planning, DKSH continues to address real sustainability challenges with measurable, impactful solutions.

Advancing Sustainability Efforts Together

UOB FinLab is proud to organise the GreenTech Accelerator 2024. The programme showcases how collective action can solve real-world sustainability challenges—with DKSH and Smart Tradzt as a prime example.

The programme demonstrates our ongoing commitment to build a sustainable future by providing access to masterclasses, mentorships and networking opportunities. Programme participants can deepen business connections through UOB FinLab’s vast network of over 33,000 industry leaders including government agencies, solutions providers, and private and public businesses.

UOB FinLab will continue to accelerate sustainability innovation in ASEAN and has plans to launch more programmes focusing on driving adoption and innovation in sustainability in 2025. Stay up to date by following us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter.