Young innovators driving sustainability with DHL Express

As a challenge partner of UOB Wonder Lab 2026, DHL Express empowered the next generation of innovators to tackle real-world sustainability challenges through practical business problem-solving. The programme provided young people with direct access to industry expertise, enabling them to transform ideas into solutions that address genuine business needs.

The second edition of UOB Wonder Lab attracted applications from 171 teams comprising 688 young people nationwide. From these, 15 teams were selected to join the Impact Academy, while nine finalist teams advanced to the Final Pitch, where they developed solutions for sustainability challenges set by DHL Express, alongside DKSH and Häfele Thailand.

Team Just The Case emerged as the winner of the DHL Express challenge, Team Krai Sen won the DKSH challenge, and Team Catalyst-five won the Häfele Thailand challenge.

Results from the programme highlight the impact of learning through real-world experience. All participants reported improvements in presentation, structured thinking and idea development skills. In addition, 94.5 per cent said they gained a deeper understanding of sustainable marketing, while 92.7 per cent reported enhanced marketing knowledge and skills through working on actual business challenges.

Turning real-world challenges into meaningful action

Building on the inaugural edition, which encouraged young people to develop ideas that create positive social and environmental impact, this year's programme evolved to focus on sustainability challenges faced by businesses. Participants tackled issues ranging from communicating environmental initiatives to consumers and strengthening sustainability awareness among business customers and partners, to encouraging more sustainable consumption choices.

Throughout the programme, participants worked closely with industry mentors to understand stakeholder needs, analyse consumer behaviour and develop solutions within real business constraints. This enabled them to translate innovative ideas into practical and scalable approaches.

Ms Dhornratana Olanhankij, Country Function Head of Brand, Media and Communications, UOB Thailand, the UOB Wonder Lab organizer said “We believe in the potential of young people to shape a better future. They are not just future leaders. They are changemakers today when given the opportunity, support and confidence to turn ideas into action. Throughout the programme, we witnessed their creativity, determination and ability to look at challenges from different perspectives. These qualities are essential to driving meaningful and lasting sustainability outcomes.

For DHL Express, the challenge focused on raising awareness of sustainability initiatives at DHL Express ServicePoints. The objective was to help customers shipping internationally with DHL Express understand that simply choosing DHL Express for their international shipments already contributes to reducing environmental impact.

To support this challenge, participants were tasked with developing ideas that effectively engage customers at the point of service and communicate DHL Express’s sustainability efforts in a clear and meaningful way. Learn more about DHL Express’s Green Logistics initiatives here. 

Turning ideas into action

The winning teams demonstrated that effective sustainability solutions require more than creative thinking. Success comes from understanding people’s needs, business realities and how positive change can be made relevant and accessible in everyday life.

Mr Chawakorn Srisangtrakul (“Kor”), representing Team Just The Case, said “The most valuable part of the programme was the opportunity to learn from industry experts and explore challenges from different sectors. It helped us gain a deeper understanding of both sustainability and business operations, while developing skills that we can apply in the future.”

In addition, all students who worked on the DHL Express challenge received a DHL x Absurd Laboratory BFFS Upcycled Collection plush toy. Each toy was created from retired DHL courier uniforms that would otherwise have been discarded, giving the materials a second life through cleaning, redesign, and upcycling into a new and meaningful product.

The collection reflects DHL’s commitment to sustainability and the circular economy, demonstrating how everyday materials can be transformed into something of renewed value rather than becoming waste.

Learning from one another

Connecting young people with real business challenges is about more than developing skills. It is about creating opportunities for businesses and young people to learn from one another.

Participants gained first-hand experience in understanding business challenges, analysing consumer needs and developing solutions within real-world constraints. At the same time, partner organisations benefited from fresh perspectives and new ideas for engaging stakeholders on sustainability issues.

The programme demonstrates how collaboration between businesses and young people can help drive more meaningful sustainability outcomes while preparing the next generation to contribute with confidence and purpose.

As a Challenge Partner for UOB Wonder Lab, this programme builds on DHL Express' ongoing commitment to sustainability. These efforts include increasing the adoption of electric vehicles for pickup and delivery operations, utilizing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to reduce carbon emissions from air transport, powering facilities and operational sites with renewable electricity, and offering GoGreen Plus, a service that enables customers to actively reduce carbon emissions associated with their international shipments.