News 10 December 2018 News from SKAO
Den Hartog delivers biofuel for 100 percent usage in freight transport
The Dutch distributor of biofuels Den hartog delivers the biodiesel HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) to sludge processing plant in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant. Depending on how much HVO is used in a fuel mix, the biodiesel can lead to CO2 emissions savings of 89 to 100 percent, claims Den Hartog.
First organisation in the Netherlands that uses 100 percent HVO for freight transport
According to Den Hartog, the sludge processing plant SNB is the very first company in the Netherlands that uses 100 percent HVO as fuel for its freight transport. “This is very special”, says Barend van Kooten, director at Den Hartog, in a press release. “To our knowledge, there are no other companies in the Netherlands except SNB, that uses 100 percent HVO as a fuel for its freight transport. There are companies that make use of 10, 20 or 30 percent of HVO to be mixed with regular fossil fuels. However, SNB is the first to make the bold step to increase the percentage to 100. With this, the company contributes greatly to reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere and enhancing the environment.”
CO2Fuel
HVO is a synthetic fuel that is made out of waste products. “Think of used frying fat or industrial waste, such as cellulose that does not interfere with the food chain”, Van Kooten explains. “The use of HVO does not only reduce carbon emissions, but also nitrogen and particulate matter. Moreover, the fuel causes minimal noise disturbance due to the truck engines, while greatly enhancing fuel efficiency compared to fossil fuels. The engines of modern trucks do not need to be adjusted for HVO to be used. The chemical composition of the biofuel is almost identical to regular diesel.” Den Hartog sells the biofuel under the name CO2Fuel. The company sells biodiesels to both businesses as well as individuals.
In assignment of SNB, there are three transportation companies that carry 400 to 450.000 metric tons of unearthed sludge from sewage treatment plants to the processing plant of SNB. For this assignment, more than 20 trucks are being used on a daily basis to transport the sludge, which takes about 40 to 50 rides per day. By letting the freight transport to run on 100 percent of HVO, SNB can greatly reduce its CO2 footprint.
Earlier this year, the Dutch wholesaler Rensa managed to slash its carbon footprint by 17,8 percent by making use of 20 percent of HVO for its freight transportation.