Inovyn, the chemical manufacturing arm of Ineos, will be Europe’s first company to use a ‘green’ hydrogen-powered truck to transport PVC when trial operations start next April.
Owned by Jim Ratcliffe, reputedly Britain's richest man, Ineos added that some 60 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be saved every year per truck and emissions from deliveries cut to zero.
Hydrogen fuel cells will power the trucks for the 50km journey from the PVC production plant in Tavaux to Benvic’s Dijon-based compound plant.
Using a DAF truck chassis, the diesel engine will be replaced with hydrogen-powered fuel cells that will be refuelled with 100% green hydrogen in a station in Dijon.
A partnership between Ineos, Benvic and industrial logistics company, CGA Trans Service is behind the new truck.
“Supplying hydrogen to the transport market is a key step in our new INEOS Hydrogen business strategy, which also includes new hydrogen production from water electrolysis, as well as hydrogen storage” said Geir Tuft, CEO of Inovyn.
Ratcliffe, who has an estimated net worth of around £8bn, was recently reported to be interested in buying Premier League club Manchester Uniited