KOMATSU has announced it is switching to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as factory-fill fuel for equipment produced in Europe.
The move is in line with the manufacturer’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and will begin imminently at the Komatsu Germany GmbH, Construction Division (KGC) plant in Hannover, Germany, and at the Komatsu UK plant in Birtley, England, with other Komatsu Europe plants to follow.
The switch to this renewable fuel is described as a ‘major step’ Komatsu is taking towards reducing its environmental impact.
“HVO not only grants lower emissions during operation by superior chemical composition,” said Ingo Büscher, MD of KGC. “Komatsu’s HVO first-fill product (Neste MY Renewable Diesel) is mainly made of waste material limiting consumption renewable resources such as vegetable oils.
“We are committed to support our customers in achieving their long-term sustainability goals as a one team approach. We believe that HVO is an effective and economical option to both reduce emissions and save limited resources.”
The move to HVO factory-fill fuel is just one of the steps Komatsu is taking towards sustainability, along with the research and development of new technologies and solutions such as electric and hydrogen-powered machines, to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and achieve its zero emissions goal.
