The European warehouse market faces a major challenge today: reducing emissions and moving away from fossil fuels. Electrification and renewable energy sources are emerging as alternatives to traditional heating. Just a few years ago, the idea of logistics facilities operating without gas seemed distant.
Today, it is becoming a market trend. Heating based on air-source heat pumps can reduce CO₂ emissions by several dozen percent, depending on the national energy mix. This technology not only redefines heating standards in warehouses but also paves the way for faster decarbonization of the logistics sector and the wider economy.
According to the European Parliament, buildings are responsible for about 40 percent of total energy consumption and 36 percent of CO₂ emissions in the EU. This is why heat pumps are playing an increasingly important role in the decarbonization process. More than 25.5 million such systems are already in operation in Europe, and their strategic role has been underlined by the EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act, which identifies them as one of the key technologies of the future. The trend is increasingly evident in logistics. In Poland, the first large gas-free warehouses are already being built, and new investments show that the electrification of heating is slowly becoming the new standard in the warehouse sector.
“The energy transition in logistics is accelerating. Today, our customers care not only about excellent location or available space, but also about how many tons of CO₂ can be avoided through low-emission technologies. That is why at Prologis we consistently invest in solutions that reduce emissions from our buildings. We are also increasingly incorporating renewable energy sources into our facilities,” said Marzena Tkaczuk, Director, Capital Deployment at Prologis.
One of the most advanced examples of this transformation in Poland is the development at Prologis Park Ujazd, where a build-to-suit warehouse is under construction for Schaeffler, a global leader in mobility technology. The building, with an impressive area of 62,500 square meters, is the first stage of a logistics complex that will eventually reach nearly 145,000 square meters.
“From the very beginning, we knew that Prologis Park Ujazd should be an example of a new approach to warehouse construction. That is why we completely eliminated the gas installation from this project. Instead, we chose air-source heat pumps, which will take over all functions related to heating, cooling and ventilation. Importantly, in the HVAC system we used R32 refrigerant, whose Global Warming Potential is 65 percent lower than that of the commonly used R410A. This marks another step towards minimizing the climate impact of the building. These solutions show that a modern warehouse can be both energy efficient and environmentally friendly,” said Marcin Czerniewski, Senior Development Manager at Prologis.
In the office areas, air-based heating and cooling systems will ensure year-round comfort, while a dedicated heat pump will provide domestic hot water. The entire building will be integrated with a Building Management System (BMS), which will enable precise, real-time energy management, optimizing both consumption and operating costs. Experts estimate that the solutions applied will allow the customer to reduce annual operating costs by 20 to 30 percent compared to traditional gas systems. An additional source of savings and emission reductions will be a rooftop solar installation comprising 1,730 photovoltaic panels with a capacity of about 1 MW.
Warehouse of the Future – A Comprehensive Approach
The warehouse at Prologis Park Ujazd has been designed with minimal environmental impact in mind. Low-emission materials such as steel and concrete were used in its construction, with deliveries sourced locally, further reducing the project’s carbon footprint. The building’s eco-friendly nature is also reflected inside. Skylights will provide natural daylight to work areas, reducing the need for artificial lighting, while LED systems will help lower energy consumption. Enhanced insulation will improve the building’s thermal efficiency, and a greywater recovery system will support responsible water use.
The Ujazd warehouse combines sustainable solutions with high functionality. A clear internal height of 12 meters and a power supply of 4 MW will allow for advanced automation and light manufacturing processes, while ensuring flexibility to adapt the space to customer needs. Location is another strength: the facility is situated directly at the junction of the A4 motorway and national road 88, just 33 kilometers from the A1 motorway and 60 kilometers from Katowice. This guarantees excellent connectivity with key Central and Eastern European markets.
Construction is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2026. The building will undergo BREEAM certification, with Prologis aiming for the Outstanding level—the highest category in the international sustainable building rating system, reserved for projects meeting the strictest environmental standards.
“The facility developed by BREMER for Schaeffler at Prologis Park Ujazd is a perfect example of how modern warehouses can operate without fossil fuels delivered directly to the building. From the concept stage, together with Prologis, we decided to use heat pumps to handle heating, cooling and ventilation, while ensuring high energy efficiency. The building has been equipped with a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, supported by air-source heat pumps in monoblock and split configurations, which further increase efficiency. A key element is the integration of all systems into a central BMS, enabling precise real-time energy management,” said Piotr Zachariasz, Commercial Manager for Installations at BREMER.
Prologis has consistently pursued an innovation strategy focused on climate neutrality. The company was responsible for the world’s first Zero Carbon certified logistics warehouse at Prologis Park Eindhoven, and its position as a global sustainability leader is confirmed by numerous awards, including top scores in GRESB, long-standing inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, and strong ESG ratings in international benchmarks. The company’s goal is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, which it plans to deliver through investments in renewable energy and the development of carbon-neutral construction.