Europorte, Saipol team up to decarbonize rail with branded B100 from French rapeseed oil

Photo: Europorte

Europorte, the rail freight subsidiary of Getlink, and Saipol, a subsidiary of the Avril group, have signed an agreement to demonstrate commercial use of Oleo100, a branded type of 100 percent biodiesel made entirely from French rapeseed oil. The real-world test will be carried out over three months beginning July 6 on the rail traffic generated by Saipol for transportation of vegetable oils and renewable fuels within France on the lines connecting Nogent-sur-Seine and Dunkirk, as well as Nogent-sur-Seine and Sotteville-lès-Rouen.

The objective of the demonstration is to replace part of the off-road diesel fuel Europorte uses in its diesel-powered Stadler locomotives with Saipol-produced Oleo100, energy produced by Saipol, in the Stadler locomotives. According to Avril group, the demonstration will consist of 1,500 km traveled on Oleo100 per week, equating to 35 metric tons of CO2 avoided weekly.

Europorte will be the first private rail freight operator to use the locally produced alternative fuel Oleo100 in real conditions.

Data collected during the experiment will be analyzed to determine the compatibility of Oleo100 as a fuel in operation of Euro4000 diesel locomotives. If results prove positive, Europorte could commit to Saipol’s Oleo100 fuel used in its Stadler locomotives to reduce its carbon footprint.

“Being the first rail freight operator to run with Oleo100 will be a real pride for us because it is fully in line with the group’s policy to combat global warming, as well as the dynamic innovation at the service of its customers while maintaining a high quality of service and safety,” said Raphaël Doutrebente, president of Europorte.

Christophe Beaunoir, CEO of Saipol, said, “The partnership with Europorte and Stadler is an important step in the Avril group’s commitment to act for the climate by reducing the carbon footprint of our transport. It is also, by shifting our own flows to renewable energies, the opportunity to demonstrate the feasibility and to engage other players in the energy transition.”