Fresh Breeze for Logistics and Industrial Real Estate

Next week, from November 19 to 21, the first BUILDINX 2024 event will be held in Dortmund, presented by Messe Dortmund and the German Logistics Association (BVL). As “the first business platform encompassing the entire value chain of innovative logistics and industrial real estate”, BUILDINX is a comprehensive showcase dedicated to the industry’s current challenges and innovative solutions. The event seeks to “unite all stakeholders in the logistics and industrial real estate sectors through its holistic approach”.

Addressing Challenges and Presenting Solutions for the Logistics and Real Estate Industry in Dortmund

With climate change and stricter sustainability requirements, companies in these sectors must adapt, exploring innovative ways to minimize the environmental and health impacts of their buildings. Topics such as land conservation, air quality, and employee health will be thoroughly covered, with solutions that balance ecological responsibility with economic advantage.

Inspiring Program Structure: The three-day event is organized around the lifecycle of a building, as reported by LOGISTIK HEUTE.

Photo: BVL

Sustainability and Climate Change

Sustainable construction is becoming the norm in today’s business world. According to the BUILDINX white paper “BUILDING THE FUTURE – Making Industrial and Logistics Real Estate More Sustainable”, an increasing number of logistics companies are adhering to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria to reduce CO₂ emissions and demonstrate social responsibility. In addition to energy efficiency and resource conservation, the revitalization of so-called “brownfields”—underutilized land—is gaining traction. With limited availability for new developments, environmental protection is increasingly emphasized through the preservation of existing land.

Source: BUILDINX Whitepaper, p.9

„Going Green: Back to Nature“

“Property developers and owners” are increasingly focusing on green locations, often incorporating green facades and landscaping that support local flora and fauna, facilitate rainwater absorption, and contribute positively to the workplace atmosphere.

An Innovative Approach for Sustainable Logistics and Industrial Zones Through Green Technology: Moss Filters and Solar Power for Clean Air and Energy

Green City Solutions offers innovative solutions with their fresh-air concepts. Their multifunctional moss filters provide a natural approach to air purification and help tackle environmental challenges particularly acute in urban and industrial areas. This solution allows logistics and real estate companies to achieve ESG targets while improving the quality of life for residents and employees.

These biotechnological filters cover only 9 m² yet produce the effect of 81 trees, with a single unit providing up to 6,500 W/h in cooling capacity. The CityTree, for example, can achieve cost savings of approximately 90%. Over a five-year period, these moss filters are around 20% more cost-effective than traditional air filtration and HVAC systems due to regenerative filter materials and lower energy consumption. When used effectively, this solution helps reduce heat islands, capture airborne particulates, and supports rainwater management .

Photo: GCS

CityTree, CityBreeze und WallBreeze combine moss-based air purification with structurally stable, low-maintenance installations, contributing to both sustainability and public health across urban and logistics environments. Their deployment offers benefits to clients, employees, pedestrians, and residents alike.

1. 1. Reducing Pollution in High-Traffic Areas: The moss filters significantly reduce particulate matter and pollutants—particularly relevant in urban and logistics-heavy areas, where high traffic volumes and industrial activity negatively impact air quality.
   2. Eco-Friendly and Energy Efficient: These systems not only bring nature into cities but operate in an eco-friendly manner. They require no harmful chemicals and consume less energy compared to mechanical filters, contributing to emissions-free energy solutions, making them ideal for sustainable, climate-friendly building concepts.
   3. Enhanced Quality of Life and Health: Fresh air solutions like these help improve quality of life and health. Natural elements such as moss not only reduce pollutants but also boost well-being in urban settings and workplaces by enhancing air quality and creating green, calming environments.
   4. Flexibility and Versatility: CityTree and CityBreeze can be placed in various settings—from city squares to industrial and logistics sites. Their compact and modular design allows for use in both outdoor and indoor areas, such as logistics centers, where the cooling and purifying effects of these systems are especially valuable in mitigating heat and fine particulate pollution in high-traffic zones like shopping streets, schoolyards, workplaces, atriums, shopping centers, train stations, and airports.
   5. Transparent and Immediate Impact for ESG and CSR Reporting: These solutions provide clear, localized benefits with transparent reporting options. Performance reports detailing their impact are useful for CSR and ESG documentation, supporting aspects such as certification, financing, and building permit processes, while adding value to property sustainability and long-term value.
   6. Low Maintenance: With automated irrigation and remote monitoring capabilities, the moss-based systems are ideal for demanding urban and industrial environments.

Photos: GCS

Since August 2021, a CityTree has been installed in an industrial hall of Refratechnik Ceramics in Melle, Lower Saxony. Here, the moss filter, known as “IndusTree”, provides “a hall’s worth of fresh air” daily. It can filter over 60,000 m³ of air daily, fully refreshing and filtering the air in a 6,000 m² hall multiple times a day. Working hours are adjusted to maximize filtration during peak usage times, optimizing energy efficiency and performance.

“Our company produces refractory systems for industrial furnaces, a process that generates significant particulate pollution that cannot be completely avoided. It also gets particularly warm around the large ovens, especially in summer. To reduce particulate pollution and bring down ambient temperatures, we installed CityTree as a pilot project in September 2021. Employees have appreciated the noticeable improvement in air quality and the cooling effect”, says Dr. Andreas Sieverdingbeck, Managing Director of Refratechnik Ceramics GmbH.

Research backs these results: A UK study found that improved indoor air quality could boost productivity by up to £7.1 billion annually, while findings from the World Green Building Council show that poor indoor air quality can increase illness rates by up to 35%. According to the European Ventilation Industry Association (EVIA), proper ventilation can reduce absenteeism by 10% and boost productivity by 3%.

Photovoltaic systems are becoming more common on warehouse rooftops, transforming logistics properties into “energy powerhouses” capable of covering their own energy needs and feeding surplus power back into the grid.

Despite some progress, emissions in the transport sector remain significantly high. A report by McKinsey & Company estimates that the “last mile” of delivery alone generates around 3 million tons of CO₂ per year in Europe, underscoring the substantial impact of this final delivery stage on the logistics sector’s carbon footprint. Research also highlights that transitioning to a fully emissions-free fleet is complex and demands substantial investments and strict goal-setting frameworks, such as those provided by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In response, logistics companies are increasingly leveraging innovations and partnerships to achieve climate-neutral operations by 2040, aiming to meet both regulatory standards and evolving societal expectations. These actions emphasize both the sector’s role in combating climate change and the need for improved transparency regarding environmental impacts. Clear commitments to emissions reductions by 2030 and beyond will be essential to drive long-term progress.

In 2022, DPD Portugal launched an innovative air quality monitoring program in Lisbon. Delivery vehicles and depots were equipped with sensors to measure fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in real time, supporting urban air quality awareness and data-driven environmental initiatives.

A Green Outlook

BUILDINX 2024 brings together leading experts and innovative start-ups to address the industry’s most pressing challenges. Visitors can expect inspiring solutions and discussions on new building concepts and the future of logistics real estate, with a focus on climate-friendly and economic considerations.

Baytree Germany will also be among the exhibitors, joining our team on site. Baytree is a pan-European developer specializing in logistics and industrial real estate, with a focus on the UK, Germany, and France.

Photos: GCS

Experience the Multifunctional CityBreeze Moss Filter in Person

The BUILDINX and Green City Solutions teams look forward to the coming days. The fair encourages attendees to “expand their networks, make valuable contacts,” “shape the industry’s future”, and “experience innovation up close”.

Take advantage of this fresh breeze within a green oasis, gain valuable insights into natural air purification for urban and industrial spaces, and explore versatile applications. Meet our CEO and co-founder, Peter Sänger, at BUILDINX in the main hall (Hall 5) on the Messe Dortmund grounds.

Photos: GCS

We look forward to meeting you, welcoming many visitors, and having insightful conversations at BUILDINX 2024!