An East Midlands brickwork, scaffolding and drywall business has announced plans to change its vehicles to low carbon fuel.
Derbyshire-based Phoenix Brickwork is ditching diesel and switching its on-site fleet of telehandlers to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) with immediate effect.
It said the change will cut CO2 emissions from the vehicles by up to 90 percent.
The business, which set up a decade ago in Belper, has also set itself a deadline of this April 2022 to stop using diesel in all its machinery.
It is working with several fuel suppliers to move over to recycled vegetable oil which management said was one hundred percent fossil-free, biodegradable, and renewable.
Managing director Christian Watson said hydrotreated vegetable oil is high-quality, non-toxic and made from renewable materials which can be regrown as and when stock is needed.
He said the low-carbon, low-emission fuel, produced from waste cooking oil, is compatible with conventional diesel equipment and even contributes to engine longevity.
He said: “With the environmental health of the world now in sharp focus, and the government’s commitment to achieve 海角视频 net zero target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, urgent action is needed by individuals and the industry alike.
Most Read
“It is no longer a matter of if change is needed, but when.
“At Phoenix Brickwork, we believe the time is now, irrespective of the higher cost of this environmentally sustainable fuel.
“HVO costs more than standard white diesel but the change to HVO is more environmentally-friendly and that’s why we want to do it.”
Craig Barron, plant and fleet manager at Phoenix Brickwork, said he wanted to put the business at the front of the construction industry’s drive towards carbon neutrality.
He said: “It is rewarding to be part of such a forward-thinking firm that is planning for sustainability as it grows.
“We hope that many of our fellow construction industry colleagues will follow our lead.”
Phoenix Brickwork was established in 2010 and has grown organically and by acquisition, securing its first £1 million contract in 2015.
Don’t miss
The business said turnover is now at more than £25 million.
Sign up for your free East Midlands newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn
Email newsletters
BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the East Midlands including Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.
Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates.
We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away.
For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our