A new European research initiative aims to make the movement of goods more efficient and sustainable. The EU-funded project IKIGAI aims to significantly advance the so-called Physical Internet in Europe by 2040, thereby connecting the physical flow of goods and digital data streams more closely. As stated in a press release from the Sulzberger logistics service provider Gruber Logistics on August 5, 2025, the project has been underway since May this year and is set to continue until the end of 2028. The total budget amounts to eleven million euros, mostly financed through the Horizon Europe research framework program.
The project is coordinated by the Italian consultancy firm FIT Consulting and brings together a number of partners from science, IT,
and logistics. The goal is to integrate digital and physical logistics processes more closely – for example, through better coordination of modes of transport, goods flows, data, and algorithms. This aims to break down barriers between goods flows and information systems and utilize resources more efficiently.
Digital Transformation in Europe Progresses Slowly
Europe is under pressure regarding the digital transformation of its supply chains. While global software providers – especially from Asia and the USA – dominate the market, many European companies struggle with driver shortages, bottlenecks in storage and handling facilities, and limited multimodal infrastructure.
Paola Cossu, CEO of FIT Consulting and IKIGAI project coordinator, explains:
"While the logistics sector is in a race for modernization, IKIGAI is laying
all its cards on the table to put Europe at the forefront of this transformation process. In addition, given this global challenge, we want to build bridges to ongoing initiatives on other continents with this endeavor."
Internationally Oriented
The project is internationally oriented: In addition to European partners, experts from Japan and the USA also participated in a meeting in Rome in July. There are also contacts to China and the ISO working group for innovative logistics through the European alliance ALICE.
The name IKIGAI is derived from the Japanese term of the same name, which roughly stands for "life purpose and joy." With this holistic approach, the project aims to contribute in the long term to laying the foundations
for a Physical Internet that combines sustainability and competitiveness in logistics.
Less Greenwashing
A specific focus is on developing uniform standards, such as in CO₂ accounting. The goal is to avoid double counting of sustainable fuels, calculation errors, and so-called greenwashing.
In addition to FIT Consulting, the project consortium includes GS1, the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH), the Smart Freight Centre, Inlecom Innovation, PNO Innovation, the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS), the network ALICE, as well as other logistics players, including the service provider Gruber Logistics.
In the coming years, the partners aim to work together on solutions for more efficient and climate-friendly logistics in Europe – and to help shape international standards for this. (sv)
