Kier is trialling the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuels across its Construction business. This is the latest sustainability trial Kier has undertaken with Sunbelt Ltd and it is also in partnership with Crown Oil Ltd.

The four sites undertaking the trials are:

• Newmarket Approach in Leeds
• NHS Golden Jubilee Surgical Centre in Glasgow
• Durham History Centre & Archives
• Shakespeare North in Prescott

HVO fuel could save the site’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to net 90%, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 27% and particulate matter* by up to 84%, all key components in achieving improved air quality compared to red diesel.

The fuel is manufactured from 100% renewable and sustainable waste, all ethically soured and derived from raw materials and is a ‘drop in’ fuel that can replace diesel with no changes required to the engine or operational infrastructure. It is legal for road and non-road use and offers significant reductions in noxious tail pipe emissions.

This trial is being delivered in line with Kier’s Building for a Sustainable World framework, which seeks to create a resilient, purpose driven business. The framework has ten key pillars, one of which is net zero carbon and this trial will help Kier reach its net zero carbon goal of 2045 for all three scopes.

Hannah Aston, environmental manager at Kier Regional Building North & Scotland, said: “This is a crucial trial, which is aligned to the overall Group sustainability framework and the results will help us reach our net zero goals.

“We’re thrilled that we have been able to launch it on three sites so far and we’re continuing to work with our supply chain to launch further trials. Across the sites there are a number of vehicles and generators running on HVO fuel and we’re in discussions with the rest of the supply chain to extend the trial to other vehicles. So far, the feedback has been excellent and we look forward to seeing the results.”

*Particulate matter is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. These particles can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles react in the air.