European First : Petrochemical Analysis Samples Now Transported by Drone to Laboratory

June 13, 2024

By ADLC

(Petro)chemical
Services

Intro

After a successful test phase, ADLC launches drone transport in the Port of Antwerp together with SGS, the world's largest testing, inspection, and certification company.

SGS, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, today celebrates the official launch of its drone transport service in the Port of Antwerp. SGS now offers drone transport to swiftly and safely convey petrochemical analysis samples to the laboratory. The company collaborates with ADLC, A Drone Logistics Company, for this initiative. BASF Antwerpen NV, constantly striving to improve its production and service processes, facilitated this sustainable innovation feat. This marks an international first: the transport of petrochemical analysis samples by an autonomously flying drone has never before been executed in Europe.

Impact

Annually, SGS analyzes approximately 6,000 (petro)chemical analysis samples for BASF Antwerpen and more than 60,000 samples for other companies in the Port of Antwerp. Thanks to this drone logistics, SGS can reduce the transport time of analysis samples by up to six times. This not only increases the efficiency of operations for both BASF Antwerpen and SGS but also reduces the environmental impact for both parties. Traditionally, the transport of analysis samples is carried out by road. The use of drones offers a sustainable solution by reducing CO2 emissions by up to 80%.

SGS

"Sustainability and innovation are embedded in our culture and the way we do business at SGS. This Samplifly project is a perfect example of that. We are extremely pleased to have reached this historic milestone and European first today. After more than two years of development and pioneering work, we are now ready to go. In the coming months, this sustainable and cutting-edge drone transport will be fully digitally integrated into our customer services. Our ambition is to scale this up to interested companies in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges (POAB) and beyond (other international ports)."

Kristof Van Hoecke
Digital Technology & Innovation Manager, SGS, NCE region

Advanced Technology

In collaboration with SGS, ADLC has created a software platform for requesting transport, planning the flight, remotely starting the drone, and real-time tracking of the flight path. Once a flight is requested via the online order portal by an SGS operator, the drone navigates automatically from the starting location to the destination using onboard computers and navigation systems. The pilot monitors the flight remotely through a control system, allowing for immediate intervention to ensure safety is maintained.

ADLC

"As ADLC, we are delighted to have SGS as our partner. As a young, innovative startup, it is always a challenge to find a partner/customer with the same entrepreneurial mindset. Thanks to the intense collaboration within the Samplifly project, we have achieved a series of 'firsts'. We are already experiencing international resonance, especially in the maritime and industrial sectors, where rapid deliveries are not only 'nice-to-have' but can significantly contribute to operational efficiency and sustainability goals."

High Safety

Safety is paramount for SGS, ADLC, and BASF Antwerpen. The implementation of SAMPLIFLY is a first for the European port industry, partly due to the very strict safety requirements that drone transport of petrochemical samples must meet. Logistic drone flights for petrochemical products in an industrial environment are subject to the strictest (inter)national aviation regulations. ADLC is the first company in Europe approved for transporting such analysis samples by drone and the first company worldwide to do so within a port in a non-segregated controlled airspace.

BASF

"BASF Antwerpen is the second-largest production site of the BASF group worldwide. In our world-scale production facilities, we are continuously seeking innovative ways to improve our production and service processes. Moreover, safety is an absolute priority, also for our logistics transactions. The means do not matter; the goal does. From the start, we had confidence in the safety design and project approach of partners SGS and ADLC, and we are pleased to have contributed to this fine example of sustainable innovation."

Seçmen Akbas
Innovation & Technology Manager, BASF, Antwerpen

The project was realized thanks to the financial support of partners: SGS, Stad Antwerpen, European Space Agency, BELSPO, as well as logistical support and assistance from BASF Antwerpen, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, EuroUSC, Skeydrone, Orange and Unifly.