Laura Byrne
Head of Sustainable Fuels, Certa Ireland
Jerry Malee
Head of Enterprise and Biofuels, Certa Ireland
There’s a growing demand among motorists and businesses for HVO, a diesel replacement that significantly reduces carbon emissions without the need for engine modifications.
Across Ireland, increasing numbers of diesel drivers and businesses are understanding the benefits of switching to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a low-carbon biofuel that’s a greener, cleaner replacement for regular diesel.
“We first made HVO available to our customers in 2022,” says Laura Byrne, Head of Sustainable Fuels at Certa Ireland. “The response was incredible, and demand grew quickly.” So much so that Certa is now offering HVO — via a distinctive pink nozzle — at 27 of its forecourts nationwide, with more locations to follow.
HVO offers motorists the same performance as regular diesel but doesn’t require any engine modification. HVO is made by hydrotreating waste oils and fats. While CO₂ is released when it’s used, this is biogenic carbon from renewable feedstocks, so it doesn’t add to long-term atmospheric CO₂ in the way fossil fuels do. “It’s a hassle free, drop-in replacement for diesel, produced entirely from renewable waste feedstocks and certified under internationally recognised sustainability standards,” explains Byrne. “HVO does carry a small price premium, but by using it, customers can reduce their carbon emissions by up to 90%. I think people genuinely want to make better, more sustainable choices, so we believed that by making the sustainable choice simple and accessible, customers would naturally embrace it.”
HVO offers motorists the same performance as regular diesel but doesn’t
require any engine modification.
Why businesses are switching to HVO
Certa Ireland’s business customers — conscious of their Scope 1 sustainability targets — are recognising the advantages of HVO. These include construction company Sisk (which is using it to lower emissions across its Irish sites), Dublin Airport, National Ploughing Championships and Dublin Port (which is fuelling its pilot boats with HVO). Because Certa Ireland has received ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) accreditation, it can provide customers — including those it supplies with HVO — with a full, transparent and traceable chain of custody.
Jerry Malee, Head of Enterprise and Biofuels at Certa Ireland, notes that by using HVO in its own fleet, the company has reduced its CO2 emissions by more than 2300 tonnes in a year. As such, it’s an important part of the green energy mix. “We don’t view HVO as a carbon emissions silver bullet,” he admits. “But it’s a product that’s right here, right now, and it’s a much cheaper alternative than electric trucks or trucks that need modifications. So, while HVO is still a relatively new fuel, we’re seeing lots of interest in it.”
