Central Scotland MSP and Shadow Transport Minister, Graham Simpson, visited a local biofuel plant to hear how they hope to reduce heavy duty vehicle emissions.
Mr Simpson visited biodiesel producer Argent Energy, based in Newarthill, and discussed their vision to decarbonise transport worldwide.
Argent Energy, which have been operational at Newarthill since 2003 and employ 50 people at the plant, turn waste oils from animal fat and sewer grease into low carbon biodiesel without impacting food or feed supply chains.
They produce around 60 million litres of bio-diesel a year. This is then blended with regular diesel to make to make fuels like B7, and B20 which is being used by some bus and truck operators in the UK.
Mr Simpson learnt how waste-based biodiesel offers around a 90% GHG emission savings over fossil diesel but the UK’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation only incentivises fuel providers to blend biofuels at a low percentage.
He also heard about the rising popularity of biodiesel in European countries like Italy and the Netherlands, where demand is growing steadily.
Central Scotland MSP, Graham Simpson said: “It was good to visit Argent Energy in Motherwell to hear about the biofuel they generate and how it can help reduce transport emissions in the future.
“The pandemic demonstrated that heavy good vehicles and the wider haulage industry are vital to Scotland – but they too have a role to play in decarbonising.
“Many thanks to Dickon and his team for taking me around the facility in Motherwell and talking me through the manufacturing process”.
Dickon Posnett, Director of Corporate Affairs at Argent Energy said: “Argent Energy was born in Motherwell and we continue to grow our manufacturing capacity in Europe.
“Soon we’ll be producing around three quarters of a billion litres per year, but none of it would be here without policy makers and governments talking to investors like us and designing the right support for renewable fuels.
“We very much appreciate showing Graham Simpson what we do here and look to Scottish and UK lawmakers to make the most of waste-based biodiesel, displacing as much fossil diesel as possible, particularly in diesel-engine heavy duty vehicles over the next 15 – 20 years or whenever alternatives are available”.
