Hamburg airport in Germany has begun using Neste's renewable diesel in its diesel-powered ground fleet in bid to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and cut its carbon footprint.
In Germany, Hamburg airport (HAM) has made the switch to a “drop-in” renewable diesel in its diesel-powered ground fleet. In doing so the airport has further reduced its reliance on fossil fuels and its carbon footprint. Part of the airport’s ground fleet has already been powered by alternative energy sources. The switch to renewables will now be completed with the heavy duty vehicles, such as aircraft tugs and fire-fighting vehicles, making Hamburg Airport one of the first major international airports to replace all fossil fuels with renewables in its entire diesel-powered ground fleet.
Test performance convinced
The “drop-in fuel” can be used to replace conventional fossil diesel without any modifications to the existing diesel engines or investments in storage or logistical systems. It is produced by Finland-headed oil refiners and renewable fuel producers Neste and supplied locally under the brand name “C.A.R.E. Diesel” by Tool Fuel, a company specialised in the distribution of renewable fuel and client of Neste.
– With the use of the innovative and environmentally friendly diesel we added an important building block to our mobility concept 2020, said Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO of Hamburg Airport.
According to Neste the users of the fuel reported significantly less soot and smell and a slightly reduced consumption during the four months of tests preceding the final decision. The fuel had a very good engine start performance in addition to which the vehicles did not need as frequent maintenance work due to less soot and less oil dilution.
– We are very pleased to support Hamburg Airport in its transformation towards becoming fossil-free. It is always a joy to see our fuel meet the high expectations with its convincing quality and performance, said Neste’s Kaisa Hietala, Executive Vice President, Renewable Products.
European airports, such as Hamburg Airport, are leading the way towards fossil-free society. While smaller Kiruna (KRN) and Bromma (BMA) airports in Sweden have already tested 100-percent renewable diesel in their ground fleet, Oslo Gardemoen Airport (OSL) in Norway can be considered the first European biohub in aviation after it started offering renewable jet fuel to all airlines visiting the airport in January 2016. Neste’s renewable fuel solutions plays a key role in all of these efforts.
