Foundation stone laid for C3 Bremen: largest continuous photovoltaic roof area

Today, in the GVZ Bremen, Germany's largest goods transport center, the foundation stone was laid for a logistics center that sets a new benchmark in customer benefit, green development and employee satisfaction. Starting in fall 2022, BLG LOGISTICS plans to pool production supply for the international assembly plants of a German automotive manufacturer in the C3 Bremen. The project developer of the 82,500 m² logistics facility is Baytree Logistics Properties. Logistics real estate consulting company Logivest is supporting the project with its industry expertise. BLG will rent the property on a long-term basis.

At the foundation stone-laying ceremony Frank Dreeke, the CEO of BLG LOGISTICS, said: "For us, the C3 Bremen is an ecologically, future-oriented lighthouse project for industrial logistics facilities. It is situated in the GVZ Bremen freight center, one of Germany's prime logistics locations." The 150,000 m² site for the C3 Bremen was the last remaining large space in the GVZ. It offers the infrastructure required for vehicle components according to the completely knocked down (CKD) method to be packed in containers and shipped worldwide via the German seaports.

"With the C3, BLG LOGISTICS shows that economic development and climate protection are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other positively - if you approach it wisely," said Mayor Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte. "That is the path we want to take in Bremen. The new building secures 500 qualified jobs in the long term and sets new standards with the solar system."

Customer - Climate - Comfort
C3 stands for Customer, Climate and Comfort. The sustainable building is envisaged as not just a one-off project. It is intended as a blueprint for other locations of the internationally operating seaport and logistics service provider headquartered in Bremen.

High level of digitalization
The central idea behind the "C" for customer is the optimal tailoring of operations to customer requirements. Above all, this means efficient processes and intelligent planning of on-site logistics based on extensive automation and digitalization. BLG LOGISTICS plans to invest heavily in innovative technologies for on-site logistics. For example, the company is examining the use of moving floors for truck loading, driverless systems, data glasses and automation in the packing area.

WELL Gold and DGNB Platinum certification
A holistic sustainability concept has been developed with the aim of obtaining a Platinum certification from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) as well as a WELL GOLD certification. "The logistics center is a visible manifestation of our sustainability strategy to become climate-neutral by 2030. Our goals for radically reducing greenhouse gas emissions are recognized by the Science Based Targets initiative 2020. This made BLG LOGISTICS the first German logistics service provider with a scientifically recognized climate protection goal," said Frank Dreeke.

The core element is a supersized photovoltaic system. It will be installed on a roof area of approx. 80,000 m² and is projected to generate some 10 million kWh of solar energy per year. This makes it currently Germany's largest continuous photovoltaic system on the roof of a logistics center. "Most of the electricity generated will be used directly in the building and for the on-site logistics processes," explained Sascha Petersmann, Head of Germany at Baytree.

There is also a sustainability plan for the interior of the logistics center with its eight sections. The features include ceiling-to-floor sectional doors to prevent cold bridges, an intelligent lighting control concept and optimized radiant tube heaters for lower gas consumption. Wood will be used as the construction material for various parts of the building - for example in the canteen and for the pedestrian bridge. Natural light will stream in through light bands and glazed façades, also contributing to a pleasant working environment. There will be moss-covered walls to improve the indoor climate in offices. With these investments in employee health and comfort, BLG LOGISTICS is making a bold statement in the logistics industry.

Sustainability was also at the forefront of planning for the grounds, which are landscaped specifically to benefit the employees. The "C" for comfort is key here. An orchard and a park in the form of a dune landscape complete with pond are designed to provide relaxation.

"Sustainability is for the long term, and it also provides cost benefits. Investment in this area pays off for both owners and occupiers because it makes properties more attractive and valuable over time," says Kuno Neumeier, CEO of the Logivest Group.

C3 Bremen: Facts and figures

Site size:	152,000 m²
Building area:	82,500 m²
Building sections:	8
Mezzanine, office and social areas:	6,000 m²
Loading tunnel:	5,000 m²
Outdoor storage area for empty load carriers:	3,000 m²
Car parking spaces:	333
Truck parking spaces:	10
Container spaces:	18