Wednesday January 23 2003

Fraser Eagle signs up with Dexter Biofuels

Fraser Eagle's Howard Tyrer gets ready to fuel the coach with Sally Barnes of Dexter Biofuels

Fraser Eagle has begun using sustainable fuel in its own coach fleet after signing a deal with an innovative Burnley start-up company.

The company has introduced a biofuel and conventional diesel blend in its 25-strong coach fleet in a bid to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. 

Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from renewable resources. The agreement represents the first big supply contract for Dexter Biofuels, a new part of the paint and industrial coatings company Dexter Paints, based in Trafalgar Street.

Kevin Dean, group managing director of Fraser Eagle, states: “We are pleased to have signed this deal which will not only reduce our carbon emissions, but also provide a significant boost for another local company.

“Fraser Eagle is working hard to reduce its impact on the environment and one way we can address this is by looking at alternative fuels. Though we acknowlegde this is a relatively small first step we will be looking at how we can reduce our carbon emissions further in the long-term.”

Alan Sharples, managing director of Dexter Biofuels, adds: “Fraser Eagle is one of the most recognised transport brands in Lancashire and we are delighted to be supplying them with our biofuel.

“Dexter Biofuels has invested a lot of time and money to develop this product and bring it to the market, and this investment will benefit the environment and local community.”

Fraser Eagle established its own environmental committee in January 2006 to explore ways the company could reduce its impact on the environment.

The company has introduced sensor-activated lights in kitchen, toilet and corridor areas at its Padiham base and actively encourages employees to get involved in energy saving.

The company now recycles all its copier paper and has introduced double-sided photocopiers and an electronic correspondence policy for all employees.

About Biofuel

• Biofuel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from renewable resources.
• It is manufactured using a chemical process from a wide variety of naturally growing materials such as rape seed oil and recycled vegetable oil, that combust in the same way as conventional mineral diesel.
• The main advantage of Biofuel is that it is classed as carbon neutral. The plants from which the oil is extracted remove Carbon Dioxide (Co2) from the atmosphere in order to grow, while any chemical released when Biofuel is burned does not lead to any overall change in the amount of Co2 levels in the atmosphere.
• As well as being carbon neutral Biofuels reduce exhaust emissions, such as unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and particle matter.
• Fraser Eagle is using a 20 per cent blend of biofuel with conventional mineral diesel.
• Fraser Eagle chose Dexter Biofuels because the company made a commitment not to use palm oil in the manufacture of its products, due to the potential destruction of tropical rainforest by the palm oil industry.
• Dexter Biofuels ensure that all its products are from renewable and sustainable sources and are derived either from recycled vegetable oils or rape seed.