Menzies Distribution is taking part in a UK trial of trucks that a part-fuelled with HVO, which has been launched by its client Ball Beverage Packaging in partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP).

The twelve-month trial will see around 5,000 deliveries powered by a blend of HVO and diesel fuel, which will supply the CCEP site in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Launched this month, the trial could reduce the supply chain’s CO2e emissions by around 300 tonnes per year.

Menzies Distribution has provided distribution services to Ball Beverage Packaging UK since 1998. Ball provides aluminium packaging to customers in the beverage, personal care, household, aerospace, tech and government sectors. Last year Menzies Distribution landed a multi year extension to its contract with the company.

The HVO trial is part of a wider decarbonisation strategy by Ball, which aims to transition into a fully circular and decarbonised business.

Tom McCarthy, Ball Beverage Packaging EMEA vice president of integrated planning, said: “Tackling emissions from transport is extremely important to us – from production of the can to final delivery stage.

“Through strong collaboration with our customers and suppliers across the value chain we are driving towards our sustainability goals. We see it as our responsibility as a leading manufacturer in GB to support collaboration along the supply chain.”

Read more

HVO-powered trucks are already being used at other Ball locations in France and Sweden, with plans afoot to develop further HVO trials across Spain, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.

In 2022, CCEP estimated it used alternative fuels in approximately 8% of the total kilometres driven by its hauliers in Europe. It currently uses hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO100) in Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.

CCEP is the world’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler. It has an ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2040 and reduce GHG emissions across its entire value chain by 30% by 2030 compared to 2019.

Francisco Javier Sanchez Gandarias, CCEP vice president of customer service and supply chain, said: “We see it as our responsibility as a leading manufacturer in GB to support collaboration along the supply chain.

“We are continuing to encourage all of our third-party partners to transition to lower carbon solutions so we can produce and deliver the drinks people love more sustainably.”

Topics