Clean fuel option with Komatsu

Komatsu says that the company has made a decision to switch to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as factory-fill fuel for Komatsu equipment produced in Europe.
August 1, 2023 Read time: 2 mins
Komatsu machines can now run on HVO fuels

This is in line with Komatsu’s long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Komatsu is commencing this switch at its Komatsu Germany, Construction Division (KGC) plant in Hannover, Germany, and at the Komatsu UK plant in Birtley, England, with other Komatsu Europe plants to follow.

The combustion engines in Komatsu machines can be operated with HVO with no modifications required. The switch to this renewable, paraffinic fuel as a sustainable alternative to traditional diesel fuel is a major step that Komatsu is taking towards reducing its environmental impact. It shows that the company's machines can run on a cleaner and more sustainable fuel, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improving air quality.

HVO is produced from renewable raw material such as cooking oil and animal fats wastes. It is a simple drop-in replacement for fossil diesel, but with high cetane, no oxygen and no aromatics. It can lower the amount of greenhouse gas emitted by Komatsu equipment by up to 90%, if the machine is fuelled with Neste MY Renewable Diesel (= HVO 100) from Neste, one of Komatsu’s main suppliers of HVO.

"HVO not only grants lower emissions during operation by superior chemical composition. said Ingo Büscher, managing director 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." He added: "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.”

Komatsu’s switch to HVO factory-fill fuel is just one of the many steps that the company 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-emission goal. 

For more information on companies in this article

Komatsu

Related Content

  • Earthmoving machine advances
    June 10, 2019
    One of the most competitive segments of the off-highway equipment sector, it is no surprise that earthmoving machinery is seeing a wide array of new models coming to market - Mike Woof writes Competition is tough in the market for earthmoving equipment. Manufacturers from Europe, the US, Japan, Korea and China are all vying for increased market share across the globe. Firms are developing new models and widening product lines, with a wide range of excavator, wheeled loader, dozer, grader and soil compact
    Read More
  • Hydrogen-powered asphalt? Benninghoven’s new burner could cut CO₂ by 41%
    May 19, 2025

    Global Product Launch: Hydrogen takes center stage in road building as Benninghoven unveils its revolutionary multi-fuel hydrogen burner. Capable of slashing CO₂ emissions from asphalt production by up to 41%, this burner supports up to four fuels simultaneously, including hydrogen, biogas, and LPG — without stopping production. Already running in Norway, it's a major leap toward carbon-neutral roads. 

    Read More
  • CIFA develops innovative underground concrete sprayer
    February 4, 2016
    CIFA is introducing an innovative hybrid version of its Spritz shotcreting machine. This novel piece of equipment uses similar technology to the Energya truck mixers that also feature hybrid systems, helping reduce emissions and fuel consumption. A key feature of the new Spritz machine is that it can be driven to site using its diesel engine, then switch to electric drive to power it as it moves underground to the tunnel face. Working at the face it can then be powered through an electrical cable. The benef
    Read More
  • CIFA develops innovative underground concrete sprayer
    January 6, 2017
    CIFA is introducing an innovative hybrid version of its Spritz shotcreting machine. This novel piece of equipment uses similar technology to the Energya truck mixers that also feature hybrid systems, helping reduce emissions and fuel consumption. A key feature of the new Spritz machine is that it can be driven to site using its diesel engine, then switch to electric drive to power it as it moves underground to the tunnel face. Working at the face it can then be powered through an electrical cable. The benef
    Read More

Highlighted Content