The project is estimated to save up to 97% in greenhouse gas emissions, compared to traditional diesel fuel, and forms part of its ‘Fewer and Friendlier Miles’ campaign.
Since the launch of the campaign in 2006, UB has removed 20M truck miles from UK roads.
‘Benefits’
Rob Wright, head of distribution at UB, said: “The benefits of recycling waste cooking oil from our food factories into ultra biofuel is another step along United Biscuits’ green journey, which has already seen us make significant gains in reducing carbon emissions across our logistics business.”
It is estimated the UK generates 250Ml of waste oils a year, Wright claimed.
“We are delighted to be able to demonstrate a sustainable use for this waste material with potential to deliver significant carbon dioxide savings from transport within the UK,” he added.
The waste vegetable oil, a by-product from snacks manufacturing, would be processed into ultra biofuel and the adapted lorries were set to recycle 500t of waste cooking oil a year, the firm claimed.
The project is the result of a partnership with waste and energy group Convert2Green to develop an engine modification, which has allowed UB’s trucks to be 100% fuelled by waste oils.
The partnership began in 2011 following two years of initial investigations by UB into alternative fuels. It has also resulted in the use of new biofuel vehicle management systems from German company Bioltec in 10 of its Mercedes tractor units currently being used nationwide.
As part of the project, a 30,000l heated re-fuelling station has been installed at UB’s Ashby-de-la-Zouch depot in Leicestershire.
Roll out the project
UB now plans to roll out the project across the business and has recently converted two of its new Euro VI vehicles to run on ultra biofuel.
The move to ultra biofuel is the latest in a series of commitments by the food manufacturer to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its logistics operations. It has already achieved a reduction of 40% since 2006.
The project tallies with other sustainability initiatives by UB, including the recent introduction of 62 longer trailers, which are projected to save 450,000 truck miles on UK roads each year.
UB owns and operates 12 manufacturing facilities of which seven are in the UK.
Its brands includes McVitie’s, Penguin, go ahead!, McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes, Jacob’s, Jacob’s Cream Crackers, Twiglets, Mini Cheddars and Carr’s in the UK, and BN, Delacre, Verkade and Sultana in Continental Europe.