Our Commitment to Sustainable HVO

A recent BBC article on fraudulent Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), has understandably raised questions about the authenticity and traceability of renewable fuels in the UK. At Milbank Concrete Products, and across the Milbank Group, we want to acknowledge these concerns and reaffirm our commitment to sourcing HVO through trusted, accredited suppliers.

We are aware that improper practices in the HVO market, such as the misrepresentation of feedstocks or the use of falsified documentation, can undermine trust in biofuels. While we are unable to independently verify the origin of every feedstock, we only source HVO from suppliers who meet strict sustainability and compliance requirements. These include membership in industry-recognised certification schemes and the provision of auditable, batch-specific documentation.

A Transparent and Trusted Supply Chain

All HVO used by Milbank Concrete Products is sourced from suppliers who must meet the following criteria:

-Be an approved supplier under the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS), created by the ZEMO Partnership, which aligns with the UK Government Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).

-Have attained International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) which provides verification of the supply chain from feedstock to final fuel and ensures compliance with EU Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II)

-Provide an up-to-date Renewable Fuel Declaration (RFD) for each purchase, including:

• • Feedstock type and country of origin
  • Chain-of-custody traceability

-Supply fuel that is 100% derived from waste and residue feedstocks, never from virgin food crops or palm oil

We have a small pool of suppliers who are required to meet the same standards and provide the same level of documentation and certification assurance.

Our Continued Commitment

Our practices are aligned with guidance from the Supply Chain Sustainability School, and we are committed to responsible sourcing, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement. We are also committed to upskilling our internal teams and educating our clients about renewable energy best practices, reducing carbon emissions, and contributing to the UK’s Net Zero goals.

Milbank Concrete Products was one of the early adopters of HVO in our sector, and we continue to promote its benefits as a cleaner, lower-emission alternative to diesel.

We welcome the scrutiny that comes with using biofuels. As awareness grows, so must our collective responsibility to demand and maintain integrity throughout the supply chain.

We’re always open to sharing our experience with organisations looking to understand more about responsible HVO sourcing or explore the switch themselves.

In Summary

-We only purchase from suppliers who are members of Zemo Partnership and RFAS

-All suppliers must provide full documentation, including Renewable Fuel Declarations

-All HVO used is made from certified waste and residue feedstocks

-We are aligned with UK and EU sustainability standards, including ISCC, RFAS, RTFO, and RED II

We’re committed to transparency, trust, and making informed, responsible choices in support of the UK’s net zero ambitions. If you have any questions about our fuel sourcing approach, we’d be happy to discuss further.