The Asia-Pacific region generates approximately 60% of the world’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions , which represents a challenge for the 21 economies that make up the  Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum , in a global context marked by climate urgency and the reconfiguration of supply chains, where more sustainable logistics are even being promoted to minimize environmental risks.

This was stated by Francisco Suárez Hernández, chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Mexico, who emphasized that ABAC promotes an agenda that articulates several key areas, including sustainable manufacturing, product design, the circular economy, renewable energy, and supply chain optimization . This comprehensive approach recognizes that decarbonization does not depend on a single link, but rather on the coordination of the entire logistics network.

In this transition, technology plays a crucial role. Artificial intelligence (AI) -based tools enable route optimization, reduced energy consumption, and improved logistics planning. This comprehensive approach also involves investing in commercial and logistical infrastructure.

In a sector where 20% of emissions come from transportation – with an average annual growth rate of 1.7% over the last three decades, according to data from the International Energy Agency – Suárez indicated that there is a group working hand in hand with ABAC and APEC on transportation related to Zero Cargo Transportation , where there is a commitment to accelerate the establishment of a greener free trade framework “to ensure a more stable, resilient supply chain.”

In this context, Mexico has strategic advantages. Its geographic location, proximity to North America, and its potential in renewable energy—particularly solar and wind—position it as a key player in becoming a sustainable logistics hub and an attractive destination for investments linked to the digital economy .

“It’s important that all technology and AI companies that have emissions reduction commitments see us as a green zone for investment. That’s why I think a sustainable digital economy could be an interesting concept, one that supports AI across all sectors and the entire supply chain to lower emissions, where transportation and AI will play a very important role in making programming much smarter, in how you can optimize money and time throughout your entire supply chain,” he emphasized.

Fleet renewal is presented as part of the solutions. Some companies have begun transitioning to electromobility in freight transport, even, Suárez specified, with tractor-trailers manufactured in Mexico, which, in addition to an innovative design, have intelligent and preventative technology, as well as features to reduce emissions. This is important in a country where fleets have an average age of 19 years, according to the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers (ANPACT) , which reinforces the need to accelerate their renewal and modernization, he noted.

However, the path to sustainable logistics also involves regulatory challenges. The need for clear, consistent regulatory frameworks that keep pace with the speed of technological innovation is one of the sector’s main demands.

In this regard, ABAC has outlined a set of priority actions aimed at revitalizing growth and strengthening the foundations of regional economic cooperation. These include investment in trade and logistics infrastructure , and reducing barriers to maritime and air transport, including expanding regional connectivity and access to secondary cities to support mobility, trade, and investment. Furthermore, ABAC seeks to strengthen the connectivity and resilience of supply chains by addressing vulnerabilities, ensuring responsible mineral sourcing, facilitating legitimate trade, and enhancing transparency and sustainability.

Circular economy, an opportunity to generate value

In the realm of the circular economy, the approach shifts paradigm: waste becomes input, and business models evolve toward reuse, recycling, and redesign schemes. More than a cost, Suárez emphasized, this represents an opportunity, a long-term investment to generate economic, social, and environmental value .

The director of Public Affairs and Strategic Relations at Fomento Económico Mexicano (FEMSA) also  considered that collaboration between the public and private sectors can coexist in this area.

“The important thing to emphasize here is that ABAC represents the private sector and APEC the public sector. Therefore, APEC is doing work on connectivity and mapping all the trends and opportunities in emerging markets,” he stated.

The goal of this joint effort is to reduce emissions and make supply chains more efficient , which translates into a window of opportunity for the Asia-Pacific region.

Looking ahead to 2028, when Mexico will host APEC, the country has the opportunity to solidify its position as a global leader in sustainable logistics innovation. Building this “green bridge” involves not only infrastructure and technology, but also a profound transformation in how supply chains are currently conceived.

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JIUTEPEC, MOR.- The conversation about the future of trucking began with a call to accelerate modernization , strengthen sustainability, and maintain coordination between industry and government . This marked the opening of the 4th Sustainable Mobility and Technology Meeting, organized by the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) , a forum that aims to translate trends into concrete actions for the sector.

From the outset, the central message was that freight transport faces a transformational environment , where technology, the environment, and operational efficiency are no longer separate issues, but part of the same agenda.

The meeting, which has become established as a space for dialogue on public policies and technological advances , seeks to share best practices and open new training routes for companies in the sector.

In this context, Leonardo Gómez, executive president of the ANTP, highlighted that environmental protection has become an operational pillar of the trucking industry, which requires continuous improvement in how companies conduct their operations and adopt new technologies.

Sustainability , he explained, not only responds to a regulatory requirement, but also to the need to make logistics operations in the country more efficient and competitive, in an environment where challenges and opportunities are advancing simultaneously.

This approach was complemented by the authority’s perspective. Luis Ruiz Hernández, head of the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport (DGAF) of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) , put the sector’s role into perspective: “Motor transport covers an estimated 800 million kilometers daily along more than 50,000 kilometers of highways , moving essential goods for the economy and daily life,” he emphasized.

Under this scenario, he emphasized that the coordination between the ANTP and the SICT has allowed progress in key actions to address the operational challenges of the sector, from the digitization of procedures to regulatory strengthening.

Among the highlighted lines of work are the simplification of administrative processes, the modernization of service stations, the supervision of weights and dimensions , as well as the promotion of self-regulation through regulatory compliance certifications.

In his speech, he also highlighted the joint work on security and the implementation of programs such as the identification of units through the Public Vehicle Registry (Repuve), in addition to actions to strengthen technical supervision on the road.

One of the central points on the agenda was the renewal of the vehicle fleet. Ruiz Hernández commented on the fleet renewal program announced by the Ministry of Economy , and reiterated that the federal government has a guarantee fund exceeding 400 million pesos (MXN), with the capacity to leverage more than seven billion MXN in financing to modernize the fleet.

This program, which is in the guidelines phase, aims to promote more efficient units with lower emissions, he explained.

In addition, Ruiz recalled that the previous meeting had already identified priorities such as emissions reduction, intermodality, the circular economy and vehicle renewal , issues that are relevant again in this edition.

With this start, the meeting opens the way to an agenda that not only seeks to discuss trends, but to translate them into concrete actions for a sector that continues to be the main system of goods mobility in Mexico.

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JIUTEPEC, MOR.- The path to cleaner mobility in Mexico no longer depends solely on available technology, but also on the ability to coordinate public policies, territorial planning, and logistical operations. This was evident in the dialogue between authorities, institutions, and industry during the 4th Sustainable Mobility and Technology Meeting, organized by the  National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) .

The dialogue table, made up of Fabiola Olivares, from the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (Sedatu) ; Alejandro Villegas, coordinator of Policy Liaison of the Megalopolis Environmental Commission (CAMe) ; Luis Campos, director of Logistics at Grupo Bimbo , under the moderation of Leonardo Gómez, executive president of the ANTP , put on the table a structural challenge: while the pressure to reduce emissions advances, the operational conditions of transport —from the lack of infrastructure to urban complexity— continue to set the real pace of the transition.

From a regulatory standpoint, experts explained, updating standards remains a key priority. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) is working on revising key standards such as NOM-042 for light vehicles, as well as implementing cleaner technologies in the trucking industry .

In that regard, specialists noted that from 2025 onwards, new vehicles must comply with stricter standards such as Euro 6 or EPA 10 , which will allow for a reduction of up to 80% in some pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides and compounds associated with poor air quality.

However, they made it clear that the transition is not limited to the vehicle itself. It also involves changes in logistics, training, and operational efficiency, including the use of more efficient tires, aerodynamic improvements, and programs like Clean Transportation, in which companies in the sector are already actively participating.

Beyond technology , territorial planning is emerging as a determining factor. Fabiola Olivares emphasized that the country has sufficient regulatory tools, but the challenge lies in their implementation.

Experts commented that land management is key to enabling spaces such as loading bays, rest areas, and electric vehicle charging points —elements that are not yet fully integrated into cities. Furthermore, the lack of these spaces directly impacts efficiency: a delivery vehicle can spend between 20% and 25% of its time simply looking for a place to load or unload, highlighting the urgent need for urban reorganization.

Alejandro Villegas warned that transportation remains one of the main sources of pollutants in the central region of the country. In the megalopolis, he said, this sector can contribute up to 76% of nitrogen oxides and 83% of carbon monoxide, placing it at the heart of the environmental strategy.

Since its inception, sustainability has been an integral part of Grupo Bimbo’s business strategy. The company emphasized that its approach is based on three pillars: people, community, and the environment. Regarding the latter, the company is making progress in reducing its environmental footprint through clean energy, a circular economy, water management, and regenerative agriculture . Currently, it boasts one of the largest electric fleets in the region, with thousands of vehicles in operation.

The accumulated experience shows that electrification is viable, although it requires infrastructure, planning, and sound financial models.

Last mile, an unresolved issue

During the discussion, the experts also highlighted the last mile as one of the most critical issues . They explained that this is where a large portion of the logistics costs and a significant portion of emissions are concentrated. Throughout the panel, the consensus was that the tools exist, but the challenge lies in their implementation.

The transition to sustainable mobility will not be immediate or uniform. It requires aligning regulation, infrastructure, technology, and operations in an environment where cities are growing, demand is increasing, and environmental requirements are becoming stricter.

In this scenario, coordination between authorities, industry, and transport users is emerging as the factor that will define how quickly—and how orderly—the sector will advance.

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The National Chamber of the Rubber Industry (CNIH) represents more than 1,000 companies dedicated to the manufacture of rubber-related products, focusing on three areas: the tire industry, retreading, and miscellaneous items ; together, they generate more than 62,000 direct jobs.

In 2024, Juan Pablo Ríos y Valles Boysselle assumed the presidency of the organization, in a radically different economic and market context than the current one .

Towards his second year as head of the organization, Ríos y Valles Boysselle has defined the acceleration route from the CNIH, and while he recognizes that in this first year the closeness with the federal government was strengthened, which allowed them to be more listened to in order to address current issues , there are some pending issues on which they are focused.

One of the first areas the CNIH will address is promoting the retreading industry . “In the last five years, the retreading industry has declined by 35%; we must address this segment,” the chamber’s president emphasized.

In 2024, of the five million transport tires sold, only 830,000 carcasses were retreaded, a ratio of 0.16 for every new tire , while in mature markets the ratio exceeds one or more.

In the view of Juan Pablo Ríos y Valles, the boost to the retreading industry has two primary effects: “reducing the generation of 60,000 tons of waste by retreading 2.6 million truck tires per year.”

In addition to the above, promoting the retreading industry means supporting domestic production, not only in terms of inputs, but also in terms of the 147 retreading plants in the country, which generate an average of seven direct jobs.

A second line of action is to work on end-of-life tires, where an estimated 300 million tires end up in the trash. “The industry is willing to work with the government and Concamin to promote a circular economy law , where we are seeking a solution to the situation we are facing,” commented the president of the CNIH.

Based on the statistics shared by the executive, only 10% of the 300 million tires are recycled today, which means that, in addition to the 30 million tires sold annually from all applications, approximately 25 million units must be discarded. “The goal is to involve all stakeholders: producers, importers, marketers, and the customer.

In conjunction with the two previous elements, the CNIH seeks to be more relevant in its relationship with the government. “We want to be close so we can collaborate with the government ,” Ríos y Valles Boysselle emphasized.

In this area, as president of the CNIH, he also participates in Concamin as vice president of the Circular Economy Commission , where he will seek to be more vocal in achieving a national order to align the efforts of the states.

The fourth point to be worked on is to generate more value for the country , “60% of the value of the rubber industry is outside of tires, that is, in the production of everything from pistons to syringes, hoses, boots, gloves, rubber bands, etc.,” said the also VP of B2B Commercial on Central America at Michelin .

In addition, we seek to take advantage of Mexico’s natural rubber production status, particularly in states like Tabasco and Veracruz. The goal is to ensure that the value generated by the industry comes from this region, while developing them to meet the different quality levels.

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In a world where excessive consumption and waste generation have reached unsustainable levels, the circular economy is growing as an essential alternative to mitigate environmental impact and optimize the use of resources.

This model challenges the traditional scheme of production and consumption based on the logic of extract, produce, use and dispose , replacing it with an approach where materials and products remain in use for as long as possible, reducing the generation of  waste and encouraging its reuse, recycling or regeneration.

An example of the implementation of the circular economy in the logistics sector is CHEP ‘s business model , based on the use of reusable pallets instead of disposable alternatives.

Unlike a traditional system where pallets are manufactured, used and discarded, CHEP operates under a pallet pooling scheme , where pallets are not sold, but rather rented and circulated efficiently within the supply chain.

“Every CHEP pallet that remains in circulation means less wood used, less waste generated and a positive impact on the regeneration of ecosystems,” said Samanta Rodríguez, CHEP Sustainability Manager in Latin America.

In addition, the company has developed key strategies to maximize its positive impact on the environment under three pillars: use of certified wood, forest regeneration and education and awareness .

Thanks to this model, 426 tons of waste will be avoided in Latin America in 2024 , which is equivalent to filling more than 60 thousand garbage trucks.

Art as an expression of the circular economy

To convey the impact of the circular economy in a visual and conceptual way, the artist André-Jacques Bodin created the installation Endless Cycle , a work that transforms numbers and concepts into a sensory experience.

“I am interested in telling stories through objects. Each one has a life before it reaches my hands and, by integrating them into a work, I give them a new meaning. With Endless Cycle I wanted to illustrate the circular economy and show how something seemingly ordinary, like a pallet, can symbolize a profound change in our way of producing and consuming,” explained Bodin.

The piece is made up of 426 reusable CHEP pallets, symbolizing the amount of waste that was not sent to landfills thanks to the use of this circular model.

Its structure is based on three intertwined spirals that represent the pillars of sustainability, community, planet and market.

“These types of artistic expressions help us visualize the impact of the circular economy in a tangible way. They remind us that every action counts and that the ‘use and throw away’ model is no longer sustainable. The key is to design products and processes that reduce waste from its source,” said Martha Niño, director of Urban Sustainability at the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) .

As governments, businesses and citizens adopt circular economy principles , it is possible to build a future where waste becomes resources and regeneration is an essential part of productive activities.

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The petrochemical industry is the pillar of multiple productive sectors, from construction to plastics and paints, which is why Patricio Gutiérrez, CEO of Conekta , has identified in this sector a strategic opportunity to promote innovative and sustainable solutions that respond to the needs of the global market.

With a focus on reusing off-specification products and creating efficient logistics networks, Conekta specializes in finding value in petrochemical products that, due to slight variations in their composition, fall outside traditional standards.

“Our goal is to give these products a second life, connecting them with industries that can use them efficiently. This not only reduces waste, but also generates a positive economic impact for manufacturers and secondary markets,” Gutiérrez said in an interview with T21.

For example, products with a slightly higher water content than allowed by the original specifications can be used in other industrial applications without compromising their functionality.

“Mexico is a petrochemical powerhouse. If you look at any industry, from construction to paint, they all have their base in petrochemicals,” he said.

In addition, it anticipated a 25% growth in the movement of petrochemicals in the country by 2026.

Mexico’s geographical position and production capacity make it a strategic bridge between the United States, Latin America and Asia.

One of Conekta’s main focuses is to promote sustainability within the petrochemical industry , which involves processes such as distillations, blends and adjustments that allow discarded products to be transformed into functional inputs for other industries.

“The world is demanding more responsible practices and the petrochemical industry is no exception. We want to lead this change, showing that it is possible to reduce environmental impact without sacrificing profitability,” said Gutiérrez.

This strategy also aligns with global trends towards the circular economy , where products are designed and transformed to extend their useful life.

The importance of logistics in the petrochemical industry

In addition to its focus on petrochemical products, Conekta recognizes logistics as an essential component of this industry.

“Moving petrochemical products requires precision and reliability, whether by land, sea or air. We are working to professionalize and optimize the logistics processes that allow these products to reach where they are needed,” explained Gutiérrez.

Conekta has identified a major challenge in the professionalization of independent transporters in Mexico, since, according to Gutiérrez, many transporters with talent and resources lack the necessary tools to compete in the global market.

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Thanks to the implementation of its pallet reuse system, Grupo Lala received  the 2024 Sustainability Certificate awarded by the company CHEP , endorsed by the European consulting firm specialized in environmental impact RDC Environment , and highlights its commitment to environmental protection.

Through its business model based on the circular economy, CHEP has dedicated itself to renting pallets so that companies can use them throughout their value chain until they return to their hands again, under a strategy called pooling , counting on more than 360 million pallets worldwide .

In this sense, Lala managed to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions , generating significant savings in the distribution of its products, ensuring that they reach thousands of homes in Mexico efficiently and sustainably.

In 2023 alone, together with CHEP, Grupo Lala saved more than 9.6 thousand kg of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to around 220 trips around the world by truck, as well as saving 25 thousand 311 m3 of wood , which represents more of 24 thousand trees saved from felling.

By opting for a shared and reusable pallet system, Grupo Lala significantly improved the environmental performance of its supply chain .

CHEP assured that the environmental benefits of a circular model, in contrast to the use of disposable pallets, include the reduction of wood use, the amount of waste and CO2 emissions. In addition, this model ensures a more efficient and deforestation-free operation , using standard pallets made with wood from certified sustainable sources.

Grupo Lala reaffirms that sustainability is the fundamental axis of its business model , seeking to add social and environmental value from an ethic of responsibility.

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