ÖBB Rail Cargo Group transports Coca-Cola and Co. in a climate-friendly way



(Vienna, 25 July 2024) – The ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) has transported beverages from Coca Cola HBC Austria for one year. For the majority of the transport (main run), the beverage bottles are no longer transported exclusively by trucks, but sustainably on rail.


Across Austria
The drinks are first transported by trucks from the production and logistics centre of the domestic drinks manufacturer in Edelstal (Burgenland) to the Terminal Vienna South. Then it’s off on the main run by rail towards Tirol und Vorarlberg. After arriving, the last mile of the supply chain begins, with the onward journey once again being completed by trucks. From there, the food retailers take care of the local distribution to supermarkets.

RCG Board Member Christoph Grasl is delighted about the cooperation: “This example demonstrates the strength of multimodal logistics. With it, we are closing the gap between road and rail and saving around one tonne of CO2 per transport. In one year, this has already resulted in 560 fewer truck journeys – to the environment’s benefit.”

Felix Sprenger, Supply Chain Director of Coca Cola HBC Austria: “We are actively working to reduce our CO2 footprint along the entire value chain. We are therefore delighted to have the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group at our side as a partner who is equally committed to this issue. The cooperation allows us to take an important step towards more sustainable rail transport logistics and for our environment.”

New equipment for beverage transport
Two-axle flat wagons or new 45-foot swap bodies are used to transport the beverages by rail. The latter are multimodal, meaning that they can be used on both rail and road and can be loaded universally. This means they can be loaded and unloaded from the rear, the sides or from above. This is what sets them apart from a conventional container and makes them easier to transport. They can also be used across all sectors for all goods (e.g. in chemical or automotive logistics).

About Coca-Cola HBC Austria
Coca-Cola HBC Austria supplies the entire Austrian market with Coca-Cola products. The company employs around 800 people in Austria - at its state-of-the-art production and logistics center in Edelstal, Burgenland, and at regional sales centers and distribution warehouses. As one of Austria's leading beverage partners, Coca-Cola HBC Austria offers an innovative range of products tailored to the needs of consumers - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Responsible action within the local environment and the sustainable use of resources are firmly anchored in the corporate strategy. Further information at www.coca-colahellenic.at

About ÖBB Rail Cargo Group: the freight transport division of the ÖBB 
As a leading rail logistics provider in Europe, we are shaping the industry. 365 days a year – 24 hours a day. Across Europe and beyond into Asia. With our presence in 18 countries, we connect people, businesses and markets – from the first to the last mile. It’s thanks to our 5,912 logistics professionals that 419,000 trains a year, respectively 1,150 a day, reach their destinations safe and sound. With our efficient end-to-end logistics services, we transport over 78 million net tonnes of freight each year. Operational management of the Rail Cargo Group lies with Rail Cargo Austria AG.