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

  • Asphalt-rubber binder ideal for repairing worn roadways
    February 28, 2012
    Asphalt rubber is a medium that solves the problem of waste tyres and at the same time produces a material that is suitable for highway use.
    Read More
  • Repsol and Grupo Kuo agree to expand Dynasol activities
    April 28, 2015
    Dynasol, a global maker of synthetic rubber, much of it destined for large off-road vehicles including construction equipment, will boost its production. Dynasol is a joint venture formed in 1999 by Repsol and Grupo Kuo. Dynasol will focus on developing products for the high-performance tyre which uses synthetic rubber as a raw material and accounts for 70% of the synthetic rubber demand worldwide. The joint venture will have an estimated revenue of US$750 million and will produce more than 500,000 tons a
    Read More
  • Eurobitume Congress: Prague promises
    June 22, 2016
    Held every four years, the Eurasphalt and Eurobitume congresses have a reputation for revealing developments that will shape the future of bitumen use on Europe’s roads. This year’s event in Prague promises to uphold that reputation. By Kristina Smith The list of locations for the Eurobitume and Eurasphalt (E&E) Congresses reads like a traveller’s dream itinerary: Strasbourg, Barcelona, Vienna, Copenhagen, Istanbul. Now the beautiful city of Prague has been added to the list. Between 1-3 June, presenter
    Read More
  • Perkins Syncro engines pack more punch
    April 15, 2016
    Perkins has developed a new compact engine platform for its Syncro range. Available in 2.8 and 3.6litre capacities with power outputs of 55kW and 100kW respectively, the all-new engine platform offers more choice for OEMs looking to downsize and increase power density within existing applications. “We’ve carried out a lot of collaborative engineering with OEMs to determine their exact requirements for compact power units,” said Oliver Lythgoe, who is responsible for product concept marketing at Perkins. “W
    Read More

Highlighted Content