The reductions come from replacing diesel with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil
Wedge Group Galvanizing, a UK-based hot-dip galvanizing organisation, has achieved an 81% reduction in carbon after a successful trial of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
East Anglian Galvanizers, part of Wedge Group Galvanizing, has completed a trial for the use of HVO instead of diesel, resulting in reduced carbon usage by over four-fifths compared to the last financial year.
The trial is part of the Group's long-term environmental strategy, focusing on identifying and investing in cleaner practices across its 14 plants.
Mark Hammond, energy and environmental manager at Wedge Group Galvanizing, said: “As a business, we’re on a journey to reduce our carbon footprint and we’ve already made significant achievements to date."
“From installation of Smart-Fire furnaces which monitor and analyse temperatures, heat exchangers which transfer waste heat back into the galvanizing process, and lagged tanks which retain heat – the trial at EAG is yet another advancement of which we’re hugely proud.”
Replacing diesel with HVO has allowed the plant to reduce its carbon footprint by 27.4 tonnes of CO2, according to the UK government's latest conversion factors.
This development follows the plant's gradual replacement of its diesel-powered forklift trucks with electric variants, with plans to install solar panels later this year.
HVO has higher costs associated with it based on price and reduced fuel efficiency compared with diesel; however, it remains justifiable due to its environmental benefits.
Chris Woolridge, managing director of Wedge Group Galvanizing, said: “There’s no question that greener alternatives often come at a premium, but we believe this is the cost of making progress. For our customers, it means working with a provider who is actively reducing the carbon impact of their supply chain. For us, it’s an investment in a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
The successful HVO trial at East Anglian Galvanizing has led to HVO being adopted by two additional plants, Scottish Galvanizers and Workshop Galvanizing, where it is being evaluated for potential rollout across other plants, alongside other initiatives in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable materials sourcing.
Woolridge added: “We’re committed to trialling new solutions, learning from them, and scaling what works. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us – it’s a core principle which guides how we operate and evolve with the needs of our customers now and in the future.”
