Following a successful trial driven by a net-zero carbon goal by 2030, Henry Boot has the green light to roll out hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel across its operations. The trial involved leveraging HVO fuel provided by Certas, the largest independent distributor of fuel and lubricants in the United Kingdom. Henry Boot tested the fuel with a part of their Banner Plant fleet, a subsidiary of the larger company.
The company stated that the pilot “demonstrated strong operational performance,” with success metrics including a 95-tonne carbon savings. HVO is made from vegetable oils and waste fats via hydrotreatment processes that remove oxygen from feedstocks, converting them into a reliable fuel. It’s cost-efficient, accessible, and can replace diesel in existing engines.
“As a business operating in real estate, we must reckon with the high energy requirements of our operations more than most. A significant portion of the greenhouse gas emissions of any business in this industry comes from the vehicles and heavy machinery required to deliver projects. This is why it’s imperative that we invest in alternative energy sources for our fleets now.
“The success of our HVO trials will see it become a vital element of our journey towards decarbonisation. The cost efficiency, fast implementation potential, and immediate carbon savings make it a practical solution that we can deploy and scale now, while also continuing to explore and evaluate a broad range of decarbonisation strategies.
“We recognise that no single solution will deliver on our net zero, energy security and business resilience goals—HVO is just one tool in our decarbonisation toolkit and is one of several important steps we’re taking on our sustainability journey,” said Serena Land, non-executive director at Henry Boot.
Henry Boot is now working to integrate the HVO fuel into the most applicable areas of its operations. Unlike the first generation of mainstream biofuels, HVOs do not depend on virgin crops. They can be used in diesel engines without dampening operational performance. Henry Boot will continue to assess its long-term sustainability alternative options, including automation, emerging technologies, and electric vehicles.
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