Sunlight Conveyer Used In Nike's New Sustainable Distribution Center

ANTWERP, Belgium— Nike has installed one of the first next-gen sunlight systems in its recently-opened distribution center near Antwerp. Paranslight SP4 is the fourth-generation natural light delivery technology from Swedish firm Parans Solar Lighting .

Nike’s distribution facility near Antwerp uses solar power green construction and water-based container shipping.

The distribution center is the most sustainable facilities of its kind, and has been optimized to reduce CO2 emissions by 30%. It also uses 100% renewable energy, utilizes boat transportation for 99% of all containers (saving 14,000 truck journeys a year) and uses the Parans system to drastically reduce the need for artificial lighting. Nike sees it as a commitment toward building a “supply chain of the future.” ”Our facilities in Belgium are a pinnacle example of how sustainable innovation is embedded into Nike´s growth strategy, which enables us to maximize our performance while minimizing our footprint,” said Bert Stevens , VP of supply chain operations for the athletic footwear company. Parans says the installation demonstrates the capabilities of its newest solution. “It is pleasant that one of the first systems of the new product generation is installed at the facilities of a large global employer focused on sustainability regarding both the environment and the staff,” says Nils Nilsson , CEO at Parans. “It’s positive for the future that a company with a well-known brand, Nike, and sustainability issues in focus sees the product as interesting.” SP4 is engineered to transport sunlight 30 floors down into a building. With SP4 Parans has the ability to light whole floors and buildings with sunlight. The company hopes that the technology will establish a new light standard for large building, and that developers will “think sunlight first.” Publicly-traded Parans Solar Lighting has offices in Gothenburg, Sweden .