Aviko reduces carbon footprint of its transport fleet

The manufacturer has recently launched two pilot projects using cryogenic refrigeration units and 'E-mission Low' vehicles to deliver its pre-prepared potato products to caterers. Where normally the cargo area of a transport truck is temperature-controlled by a refrigeration unit running on a diesel generator, cryogenic refrigeration uses carbon dioxide as a coolant. Since CO2 is a by-product of the manufacturing industry, this application allows it to be recycled. The use of cryogenic units leads to a reduction of some 75% in carbon dioxide emissions compared with diesel-based refrigeration. Crucially, cryogenic refrigeration is also silent in operation, which is a significant advantage when delivering to customers who are located in or close to a residential area. Aviko has also very recently purchased two 'E-mission Low' vehicles with trailers which are temperature-controlled using CO2. The vehicles run on normal LPG fuel as well as conventional diesel, making them up to 15% 'cleaner' than the levels laid down in the current emission standards. Aviko general manager, Mohammed Essa commented: "Sustainability is a cornerstone of everything we try to do at Aviko. These measures to drastically reduce our carbon footprint by investing in some of the most innovative new technologies, plus the pledge to switch to sustainable palm oil by 2015 represent real and credible progress along our CSR strategy timeline. "We are constantly looking across the whole supply chain to see where we can make changes that will benefit growers, customers, our own people and the environment around us, so we can keep on producing the products that chefs love, but without cost to future generations. Keep your eyes on the roads for the newest generation of Aviko lorries."