Eythos: Leading Sustainable Art Logistics for a Greener Cultural World

The art industry faces a significant environmental challenge due to the emissions generated by transporting artworks. Eythos, an art logistics company with a presence in Hong Kong and Seoul, is leading the shift towards more sustainable practices. Its focus is on redesigning the framework of cultural exchange, with Rudy Bottin, Head of Sustainability, at the helm.

Eythos' mission is to minimize carbon emissions by finding the most sustainable routes for cultural exchange.

Eythos has implemented a "slow logistics" approach, which involves using sea freight to reduce emissions. Bottin explains that the larger and/or heavier the shipment, the greater the savings with sea freight. This strategy has resulted in a 98% reduction in carbon emissions per shipment compared to air transport. The company also uses recycled packaging materials and avoids single-use plastics.

In addition, Eythos is exploring the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to reduce emissions in air shipments when sea transport is not viable.

Eythos has partnered with ART SG as the official transport partner in Singapore, challenging the high-emission reputation of international art fair logistics. The company focuses on minimizing carbon emissions by finding the most sustainable routes for cultural exchange.

Furthermore, Eythos is restoring a rickshaw, an object of French origin mainly used in Asia, to extend the life cycle of objects and reduce the need for new materials.

The restoration of the rickshaw is carried out at Eythos' facilities, using water-based and low-VOC paints, which minimizes environmental impact and protects the health of the artisans. This project underlines Eythos' commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage and waste reduction.

The company also reuses wooden packing crates, preventing them from becoming waste and promoting the circular economy.

Sustainability is a fundamental pillar for Eythos, and its facilities in Hong Kong and Seoul reflect this commitment. Both locations offer all services under one roof to minimize transportation and reduce the carbon footprint. They use state-of-the-art HVAC technology, LED lighting with motion sensors, and energy-efficient climate control.

Both facilities are located in certified green buildings (LEED Gold in Seoul and BEAM Plus Platinum, LEED Silver and WELL in Hong Kong), ensuring that storage meets the highest international standards.

Eythos operates in accordance with RE100 guidelines, purchasing renewable energy credits in Hong Kong and registering for the K-RE100 program in South Korea. They measure and record emissions from all daily operations, which are neutralized through high-integrity carbon credits, certified Gold Standard or CORSIA eligible, ensuring that Eythos is carbon neutral.

These practices demonstrate Eythos' commitment to sustainability and its efforts to minimize the environmental impact of its operations.

Eythos believes that the art industry, and the logistics sector in particular, must move towards a more standardized and transparent ecosystem. The company advocates that all industry players align with recognized international guidelines, such as the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC) or EcoVadis, to establish a common language for progress and allow accurate comparisons of environmental impact.

Transparency is the foundation of this change.

Service providers must provide clients with comprehensive data on carbon emissions related to packaging and shipping options, empowering collectors and galleries to make informed, data-driven decisions. In addition to logistics, art fairs can play an important role by implementing more rigorous on-site recycling protocols, reducing the use of single-use materials, particularly plastics.

Eythos believes that if every stakeholder in the art industry improved their sustainability, even minimally, the collective impact would represent a monumental victory for the planet.

Eythos' focus on sustainability encompasses all aspects of its operations, from transportation to packaging and storage. The company strives to minimize its carbon footprint and promote responsible practices throughout the art industry.

Eythos' initiative to restore a rickshaw and its collaboration with ART SG demonstrate its commitment to cultural preservation and waste reduction.

By adopting a "slow logistics" approach and using recycled packaging materials, Eythos is paving the way for a more sustainable future for the art world. The company is also exploring the use of sustainable aviation fuels and advocating for greater transparency in the industry.

In short, Eythos is leading the way towards more sustainable art logistics, offering a model for the industry and demonstrating that it is possible to balance commercial success with environmental responsibility.