Komatsu switch to HVO as factory-fill fuel

Equipment produced in company’s European factories to get first fill of hydrotreated vegetable oil 

KOMATSU Ltd and their wholly owned subsidiary Komatsu Europe International NV are switching to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as factory-fill fuel for Komatsu equipment produced in Europe.

In line with the company’s long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, this Komatsu world first commences this month [April] 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.

Komatsu say switching to this renewable, paraffinic fuel as a sustainable alternative to traditional diesel fuel is a major step towards reducing their environmental impact and shows that the company’s machines can run on a cleaner and more sustainable fuel, with no modifications needed, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improving air quality.

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

Ingo Büscher, managing director of KGC, said: ‘Komatsu’s HVO first-fill product is mainly made of waste material, limiting consumption of renewable resources such as vegetable oils. We believe that HVO is an effective and economical option to both reduce emissions and save limited resources.’

Komatsu say switching 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.