One of the early adopters of biodiesel, CPB Contractors has been using the renewable alternative to diesel across major infrastructure projects since 2014.
Setting a new benchmark for sustainable construction, the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport Surface and Civil Alignment Works (SCAW) Project, as delivered by CPB Contractors in a joint venture with United Infrastructure, is powering all of its plant and equipment with a biodiesel blend.
Notably, this approach is the first of its kind for a construction project in Australia and has already reduced project carbon emissions by 200 tCO2e – equivalent to taking 70 cars off the road per year.
Importantly, through supplier education and by mandating the use of biodiesel across the project, delivery partners and subcontractors are following suit. NSW/ACT Sustainability Manager CPB Contractors Christine Mueller shares that supply chain partner Kennards – a major national asset supplier – is now supporting the switch to B5 or B20 biodiesel across its business.
“The SCAW project team’s approach is a big leap forward for large-scale construction projects. The scale of biodiesel adoption here has not been seen on a construction project before,” says Christine.
Biodiesel is an industry waste by-product sourced from either waste cooking oil or ‘tallow’ from abattoirs, and its utilisation supports CPB Contractors’ circular economy approach.
“At CPB Contractors, we recognise that we need to shift to greener technologies such as electric plant powered by renewable energy. We are also transitioning away from fossil fuels and moving towards cleaner sources like HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) and Biodiesel. In the past, quality, supply, and misconceptions prevented the broader use of these solutions in our industry; however, now that the quality of Australian biodiesel meets international standards, this adoption is a great solution for us,” adds Christine.
“We recognise that through our purchasing power, we are influencing and supporting the supply chain’s transition to low-carbon solutions while encouraging utilisation of waste feedstock. In working with our suppliers to support this energy transition and embrace our responsibility to provide positive environmental outcomes for the suppliers we work alongside, we are pleased that a business of Kennards’ scale is making this change… the potential the hire industry has to reduce carbon emissions is huge.”
In a joint venture with United Infrastructure, a consortium of Western Sydney-based companies including Burton Contractors, JK Williams and Mulgoa Quarries, CPB Contractors’ delivery of Sydney Metro’s SCAW project includes:
- 3.5 kilometres of elevated viaduct at Orchard Hills and Luddenham
- 6.7 kilometres of earthworks for track formation
- A 190-metre long rail bridge over the new M12 motorway
- A 20-metre long rail bridge within the airport
- Temporary and permanent access roads
- Bulk earthworks for the stabling and maintenance facility site.
Paul Nicholson from Kennards says:
“We’re constantly striving to create efficient, low-emission solutions for our customers and clients. Working with CPB Contractors on the SCAW project has enabled our business to integrate the use of biodiesel (B2O) into our fleet, driving forward our own mission to minimise carbon emissions. With the B20 option, and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), we have a growing mix of low-emission fuel commodities to support major projects well into the future.”