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The Embraport, located north of Zurich, is one of the largest logistics areas in Switzerland. The Zurich Freilager AG (ZF AG) operates the approximately 160,000 m2 site in the industrial area in the northern part of Embrach. Just recently, the Embraport celebrated its 50th anniversary – a reason for a realignment of the former freight transport center into a modern, green logistics hub. A new website was also launched a few days ago.
(Embrach) The Embraport is situated in the center of Switzerland’s economically strongest region, with around 1.7 million inhabitants. Within a radius of 70 kilometers, almost half of Switzerland’s consumption and production potential is accessible – ideal conditions for logistics! The area is being developed into a flagship of green logistics as part of the Embraport 2025 strategy. In just a few years, the vision of “Green Embraport” will become a reality.
Sustainable Energy Supply
The Embraport will be transformed into a fully sustainable logistics hub by 2025 – several buildings are currently under renovation or construction. The Zurich Freilager AG, as the owner and operator of the property, pursues the vision of “Green Embraport” and will create the infrastructure for a low CO₂ and emission-free logistics through targeted investments. This includes new energy generation capacities (photovoltaic systems) on the roofs of the logistics buildings, as well as various concepts for energy storage. The high PV electricity potential on the site will be utilized as much as possible for self-consumption. Surplus yields will be stored in a battery storage system to bridge periods with low sunlight. Additional surplus yields will be fed into the grid. The battery storage increases the self-consumption of the PV system and reduces dependence on the power grid, ensuring greater autonomy and thus greater supply security.
The new logistics buildings L and M are nearing completion and will be certified according to Minergie-Eco and DGNB Gold standards. The two new buildings are being constructed using modular construction methods: In system construction, the individual components are prefabricated serially and resource-efficiently, transported to the construction site, and assembled according to the modular principle. This construction method shortens the construction time, lowers costs, and requires less production energy, thereby avoiding CO₂ emissions.
The interactive site plan allows for an in-depth engagement with the innovative energy concept on the site. The final expansion status is expected to be reached in 2025. Further information on the degree of autonomy, design, and size of the energy generation facilities and production quantities will follow in the next step.
Biodiversity – New Standards
Not only in the generation and use of renewable energies does the Embraport set new standards: The diverse, robust, and vital flora with tree avenues, bush zones, mixed forests, berries, green facades, meadow areas, gravel zones, plant troughs, or moss growth will be preserved. Fallow areas will be left or newly created to maintain habitats. To counteract heat effects, asphalt areas will be compensated and shaded with appropriate green elements. At the same time, these areas will serve as a balance for employees on the site. The traffic, area, and energy concept was developed in collaboration with Logistics Advisory Experts GmbH and reflects the current and future logistics requirements for the site.
The Realignment is Accompanied by a New Web Presence
The newly established website not only provides interactive information about the logistics services on the site but also about the highly innovative energy, area, and traffic concept on the site. The development of the website involved Logistics Advisory Experts GmbH, Linkgroup AG for design, navigation, and implementation, as well as Steiner Communications Consulting for the conception and development of the content. The new website is strongly aligned with the values and vision of ZF AG.
Interactive Site Plan
An interactive and detailed site plan allows for easy navigation on what is likely the largest logistics area in the Zurich metropolitan area. The most important “facts and figures” are displayed as soon as the various logistics buildings are “touched.” By clicking on the link, all information is provided. In addition to information about the area and infrastructure of the rental properties, details about other services offered by Embraport are available. These include facility management services, fire protection, general safety, and 24/7 availability in case of problems.
If you are interested in the services, it is best to contact Ms. Petra Burkhard, site manager at Embraport – the right service will surely be found.
Information for Truck Drivers and Visitors
The new online presence is dynamic and is intended to be continuously developed. Currently, a project team led by Logistics Advisory Experts GmbH is working on a professional website for drivers from different nations. The website provides information about the infrastructure, access routes to the tenants of Embraport, parking areas on the site, as well as catering options and medical care in Embrach.
The website for truck drivers will be linked to innovative signage on the premises: A QR code at the entrance gates of the site will allow drivers direct access to the website and, in a second step, provide essential information about their stay on the site. The website will be available in around a dozen languages, with particular attention to addressing truck drivers from Eastern Europe in their native language.
About Embraport
The Embraport is part of the real estate portfolio of Zurich Freilager AG. The company is based in Zurich and has another location in Embraport. Shareholders of Zurich Freilager AG include AXA Life AG Switzerland and the pension fund for AXA Switzerland.
1972
The Winterthur Freilager AG is founded on the premises of Embraport AG. It receives permission to operate a customs-free warehouse on November 2, 1972.
1976
At full operational capacity in 1976, the following infrastructure exists:
- Handling capacity of 5,000 tons of goods daily
- Storage area of 120,000 m²
- Traffic area and spaces of 80,000 m²
- Office space of 4,000 m²
- 80 ramp spaces for rail cars
- 100 ramp spaces for trucks
- Large safe for storing valuable goods
- 10,000 m of railway tracks
- 400 parking spaces
1978
The Winterthur Freilager AG and Embraport AG merge to form Embraport Freilager AG.
1989
Embraport Freilager AG is fully acquired by Zurich Freilager AG.
2018
As the development, spatial arrangement, and usage concepts of the buildings no longer meet today’s needs, a transformation of the freight transport center into a modern and sustainable logistics hub is initiated in 2018 with the Embraport 2025 strategy. Although the rail connection is not utilized, connectivity to the SBB network is ensured through connection track contracts.
2025
The Embraport will play an even more significant role in urban and sustainable logistics in the Zurich metropolitan area.
