DKSH Business Unit Healthcare has achieved a significant milestone in advancing sustainable healthcare supply chains by successfully measuring Scope 3 carbon emissions within its value chain in Thailand. This was accomplished in collaboration with UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator and Singapore-based sustainability technology provider, Smart Tradzt. The initiative also marks the implementation of a reusable cold-chain packaging solution, underscoring DKSH Healthcare’s commitment to environmental responsibility and transparent business practices.

Scope 3 emissions, representing indirect greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain, make up a substantial share of total healthcare and logistics emissions. Measuring and disclosing these emissions remains highly complex but essential.

To address this challenge, DKSH Healthcare partnered with Smart Tradzt through UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator – a regional programme which has enabled 16 successful pilots across Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, tackling sustainability challenges in areas such as energy, carbon management, circular economy, food and agriculture, and sustainable cities. UOB FinLab provided financial support, mentorship, and access to networks, helping reduce the costs for DKSH to undertake this comprehensive assessment.

Through this collaboration, DKSH leveraged Smart Tradzt’s digital platform to conduct a full Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) aligned with international standards including the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and PACT Methodology. The analysis covered the complete life cycle – from material sourcing and manufacturing to distribution, use, and disposal – and provided practical insights into optimising sustainable processes.

Despite challenges such as limited LCA awareness among small-scale suppliers and restricted visibility into end-user disposal practices, the results were clear. DKSH Healthcare’s reusable cold-chain packaging solution, the B-Box, demonstrated significant reductions in carbon emissions compared to single-use alternatives. Over a five-year period, the reusable B-40 box generated around 27.19 kg CO₂e per unit, substantially outperforming single-use Styrofoam boxes which recorded roughly 5.03 kg CO₂e per unit.

Building on these findings, DKSH will expand its reusable packaging solutions to other markets, further enhancing transparency and enabling more robust disclosure of avoided carbon emissions. This sets a regional benchmark for sustainability tracking, helping partners and clients meet increasing regulatory and stakeholder expectations for accurate reporting and accountability.

Bijay Singh, Global Head, Business Unit Healthcare, DKSH, commented:
“Our collaboration with Smart Tradzt and UOB FinLab reflects the importance we place on sustainability. While advancing equitable healthcare across Asia Pacific, we are equally focused on ensuring our supply chain remains transparent and accountable. Scope 3 carbon emissions are complex, requiring deep collaboration across the value chain. This initiative not only supports compliance with growing regulatory requirements, but also provides our clients and partners with tangible data points for their own reporting. Though challenging, this step is a clear demonstration of our commitment to sustainability and value chain transparency.”

Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab, added:
“At UOB FinLab, we are proud to act as a community enabler, helping companies such as DKSH Healthcare accelerate their sustainability journeys. Through our GreenTech Accelerator, we connect corporates with innovative solutions that drive measurable impact. This collaboration is a strong example of how targeted support and strategic partnerships can empower businesses to meet sustainability goals, strengthen transparency, and set new benchmarks for accountability across ASEAN.”