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

  • On the road to energy efficiency and emissions reduction with IRF
    November 15, 2019
    Global commitments to reduce carbon emissions and simultaneously increase the resilience of critical infrastructure to extreme weather events have placed greater societal expectations on road builders to design and deliver sustainable pavements that are both affordable and scalable.
    Read More
  • Dressta seek greater dealership reach in key emerging markets to boost sales
    October 10, 2013
    Dressta, the LiuGong subsidiary, is striving to increase its dealership reach in key emerging markets such as Central and South America as it aims for higher machine sales. Speaking at a recent Dressta construction machine manufacturing press event at the company’s LiuGong-owned manufacturing plant and headquarters in Stalowa Wola, southern Poland, Dressta CEO Leslaw Holysz said, “We have no [dealership] presence in Mexico and Latin America, except for Panama. Panama is a very good country for us and we
    Read More
  • New road safety system from World Bank
    July 13, 2020

    A new approach to road safety is being promoted by the World Bank (WB). This is intended to meet the needs of the new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), which addresses traffic and road safety under Standard 4, Community Health and Safety. The standard requires that all WB projects avoid or minimise road safety risks and impacts. It applies not just to the communities where the project is being done, but also project workers and road users. Any project with potential road safety implications must develop measures and plans to address these risks.

    Read More
  • David Barwell suggests six steps for closing the UK funding gap
    January 11, 2019
    Six steps for closing the UK funding gap Plenty of private money is seeking UK investment opportunities. The government and the infrastructure sector in general must make projects more attractive, writes David Barwell* It is widely acknowledged that the UK faces mounting economic, environmental and social problems if the nation's infrastructure fails to meet present and future demands. Government estimates propose that almost €561 billion is required to bridge the infrastructure funding gap. As part o
    Read More

Highlighted Content