International
Gasum and Valio launch Finland’s first biogas milk collection truck
Gasum and Valio are launching cooperation as Valio introduces a biogas tractor unit in the collection of organic Valio Luomu™ milk in February 2019. The Volvo 460 truck, which will operate in Southern Finland, is part of Valio’s objective to make the milk production chain entirely carbon neutral, as it is implementing the circular economy in practice when supplying Gasum with waste fractions from its production process for biogas production. In addition to organic milk, the vehicle will also collect basic milk from Valio producers.
Valio aims to make the operating hours of the new distribution vehicle as long as possible to maximize the emission reductions achieved. “The new traction unit is Finland’s first gas-fueled heavy-duty vehicle intended for milk distribution. I’m happy and proud of the fact that those buying organic Valio Luomu™ products can now make an even more environmentally friendly choice when buying Valio Luomu™ milk,” said Valio Category Manager Mirva Tollet.
“It’s great that Valio is using environmentally friendly biogas produced from biowaste as a fuel and that way reducing emissions from transport logistics. Taking part in the production of renewable biogas is circular economy at its best as it helps to recover biowaste efficiently for further use. To be able to cut transport emissions, we need frontrunners like Valio,” commented Gasum Sales Manager Juha-Matti Koskinen.
“Our processes generate waste fractions that are unnecessary for us but suitable for the production of biogas. This means we supply raw material to Gasum and then use Gasum-produced biofuel. We also have other biogas vehicles, such as a delivery vehicle and company cars used by our personnel. Reducing the carbon footprint of logistics is important for our aim to achieve carbon neutrality in our entire milk chain as the number of kilometers clocked up is huge when milk and dairy products are transported,” added Valio Development Manager Petteri Tahvanainen.
Valio is considering the addition of more NGVs to its logistics fleet in the future.
