Kerry Agribusiness switches to HVO for milk collection in south-west
Kerry Agribusiness has teamed up with Tria Energy as the agri-company moves to switch its milk collection fleet in the south-west of Ireland to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel.
The agreement follows an initial trial was implemented across several vehicles.
The Cork-based fuel supplier has been promoting itself as the leading company in HVO, while establishing not only a distribution network for the product but also informing users of its advantages and advising on certification.
The new partnership aims to significantly reduce Kerry Agribusiness's carbon footprint and encourage sustainability.
Tria claims that the HVO fuel will deliver up to a 90% reduction in emissions as a direct diesel replacement.
Kerry milk collection
Kerry Agribusiness, which is a division of Kerry Dairy Ireland, collects 1.1 billion litres of milk annually from 2,800 suppliers in south-west Ireland.
Kerry Agribusiness collects over 1 million tonnes of milk per year
This equates to just over 1.1 million tonnes of liquid that needs moving, so by using HVO the group can can significantly improve its emission levels.
The fuel supplied by Tria Energy is International Sustainablity and Carbon Certification) (ISCC)-accredited.
The ISCC is a body set up in 2006 with support from the German government to provide a means of certifying biofuels, that is now based in Berlin.
Straight swap
HVO itself offers a complete drop-in solution to mineral oil replacement, without the additional capital expenditures or operational changes required with other low-carbon fuel alternatives.
HVO is refined from both animal and mineral fats to produce a replacement for mineral-based diesel and in some regards out-performs the original, having a higher cetane number and better cold weather characteristics.
HVO availability is spreading for motorists as well as busineses
The cetane number is critical, for it is an indication of the rate of burn and the compression required to ignite the fuel in compression ignition (CI) or diesel engines.
Diesel engines require a cetane minimum of 42-50, which corresponds to standard diesel fuel. HVO, on the other hand, has a rating of 90, giving a much cleaner and more efficient burn.
Unser feedback suggests that vehicles using the fuel pass the emission test by a wider margin than those that do not, and that car owners have been advised by mechanics to fill up with the fuel before an NCT.
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