A new trade body to represent sustainable, renewable transport fuels formed

Fri 28 August 2020 View all news

A new trade body - the Renewable Transport Fuel Association (RTFA) - has been formed to help achieve rapid action to decarbonise transport through use of bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethane and biopropane. Gaynor Hartnell, former Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association will be the organisation's Chief Executive.

Twelve companies have united to launch the RTFA, which aims to be the “go to” voice for UK renewable transport fuel producers and suppliers.  The founder members comprise all the UK’s producers of liquid renewable fuels, and the majority of the green gas used in UK transport.  

Commenting on the launch of the RTFA, Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive, said: “Ten years ago, carbon emissions from energy supply were twice that of transport. Now transport is the largest polluter in the economy.  Switching fuels is one of the most cost-effective and fastest actions in the fight against climate change, yet the role of fuels in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is overlooked. The RTFA will be the voice of the UK companies that produce and supply these fuels that can make a difference to the environment today.”

The Chairman of the RTFA, Grant Pearson (and a member of LowCVP's Board) said: “We can’t afford to wait; action is required now to reduce transport emissions. Swift and decisive action is more politically challenging for the UK Government than setting longer-term aspirations for the environment.

"We of course welcome the UK’s zero carbon long-term emission targets, but the environment cannot wait for the electrification of cars and other forms of transport. Progress needs to be made and our focus is on replacing the fossil fuels used today with greener and cleaner alternatives”. 

The role of the RTFA is 

  • to promote the benefits of rapid action to decarbonise transport through increasing the use of renewable and recycled carbon transport fuels.
  • to grow the market for renewable and recycled carbon fuels, and progressively replace fossil fuels used in UK transport (road, rail, maritime and aviation).   

The RTFA says it subscribes to evidence-based policy making, taking into account the full life cycle impacts of technology and fuel choices.  It adheres to the principle of being technology / fuel neutral, encouraging long-term policy measures which focus on the objectives sought, and enabling innovation and competition. 

RTFA founder members include:

  • ABF Associated British Foods which owns British Sugar and Vivergo. 
  • ABSL an advanced biofuel technology supplier.  
  • Alco group which is one of Europe's largest producers of ethanol for fuel.
  • Argent Energy which specialises in the supply of high grade, sustainable diesel for fleet operators. 
  • Calor, the long-established supplier of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
  • CNG Fuels, which develops, owns, and operates compressed natural gas refuelling infrastructure and sources 
  • Ensus UK Limited, which operates one of the largest production plants for bioethanol in Europe, in the North East of England.
  • Gasrec, seller of liquified and compressed renewable biomethane through publicly accessible refuelling stations.
  • Greenergy, an established supplier and distributor of transportation fuels, and the UK’s largest fuel supplier.     
  • Nova Pangea whose REFNOVA® technology provides an innovative cleantech solution for a low carbon world. 
  • Olleco, the UK and Ireland's leading collector of waste oils, fats and food waste, converting them into biodiesel, biomethane and biofertiliser.  
  • Velocys, the international UK-based sustainable fuels technology company. 

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