P&G's commitment to the carriers will convert approximately seven percent of the company's North America for-hire transportation network to natural gas powered trucks during the initial phase. This will be delivered in 16 states with an average length of haul over 280 miles, including two 1,000-mile truck lanes. Some brands to now be delivered by natural gas powered trucks include Bounty, Ivory, Charmin, Dawn, Gain, Downy and Tide.

The use of for-hire transportation carriers for natural gas in the market will enable P&G to use them on routes far longer than is the average in the dedicated fleet model, while supporting the growth of public natural gas refueling stations. High capital costs of vehicles and limited fueling stations are often barriers to growth for the natural gas industry, and P&G's commitment helps to remove the obstacles to the resource becoming mainstream for large scale shipments.

"P&G is investing in carriers with a commitment to natural gas vehicles to help boost the emerging natural gas industry, while continuing to seek more sustainable options for our supply chain and operations," said Yannis Skoufalos, Global Product Supply Officer for P&G. "Natural gas powered trucks are a cleaner way for us to deliver the superior products our customers love to the communities we support."

This for-hire natural gas carrier arrangement is in addition to P&G's 22 natural gas vehicles, which comprise part of the company's broader efforts to place sustainable logistics at the forefront of manufacturer-retailer collaboration across supply chains. P&G is bringing distribution centers closer to its customer and ensuring trucks are fully utilized in both directions. Globally, the company is moving from truck to rail and inland shipping, which according to P&G data is up to four times less carbon intensive.

Improvements in supply chain efficiency are helping P&G meet its long-term sustainability vision. As part of its strategy to grow responsibly, P&G aims to use 100-percent renewable energy at all of its plants, use 100-percent renewable or recycled materials for products and packaging and to have zero of its manufacturing and consumer waste go to landfill.

"Sustainable logistics is a critical part of achieving this bold vision, so we're taking important steps to make our supply chain more efficient," Skoufalos said. 

Source: Procter & Gamble