HVO fuel is a second-generation, renewable diesel alternative that eliminates up to 90% of net CO2 and significantly reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions.

As a paraffinic, renewable fuel, HVO can be used as a drop-in alternative to fossil diesel, meeting EN 15940 standards and Fuel Quality Directive 2009/30/EC Annex II. There’s no need to modify existing infrastructure – so HVO can be adapted easily by businesses across a multitude of sectors including haulage, transport, construction, heavy industry, agriculture, and much more.

When it comes to HVO fuel price, Certa can supply the renewable diesel to businesses across Ireland at a competitive rate, within a short time after purchase. In terms of price per litre, HVO fuel does have a premium over regular diesel, however, it offers up to 90% reduced net CO2 emissions without the cost of changing hardware.

Get in touch with us for a fuel quote to start reducing your business carbon footprint today.

HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) is a renewable diesel made by hydrotreating vegetable oils, used cooking oils, and excess plant matter. The feedstock is first purified to remove impurities and then processed with hydrogen at high temperatures (300–400°C) to eliminate oxygen, converting it into stable hydrocarbons. This process improves fuel quality, enhancing its cold-weather performance, storage life, and overall efficiency.

Unlike traditional biodiesel (FAME), HVO has a higher cetane number, fewer impurities, and does not degrade over time. It is a high-quality drop-in diesel that can be used in existing diesel engines without modifications, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions—by up to 90%—compared to fossil diesel while offering superior combustion properties and engine performance.

A second-generation biofuel is a fuel produced from non-food biomass, such as agricultural waste, forestry residues, algae, or used cooking oils, rather than directly from food crops like corn or sugarcane.

These biofuels are designed to be more sustainable than first-generation biofuels, which compete with food production. Second-generation biofuels, including HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), cellulosic ethanol, and Fischer-Tropsch biodiesel, typically have lower carbon footprints and do not contribute to deforestation or food shortages. They offer improved efficiency, reduced emissions, and better compatibility with existing fuel infrastructure.

HVO fuel is perfectly suited to a wide range of industries as an alternative to diesel, such as construction, haulage, events and public transport. It’s commonly used in:

• Portable generators
• Commercial boilers
• Agricultural tractors and machinery
• Boasts and vessels operating within inland waterways
• Construction equipment and machinery
• Industrial trucks and tankers
• Event sites including Bord Bia Bloom & the National Ploughing Championships

EcoMax, Certa’s hybrid heating solution is a blend of 80% Kerosene and 20% hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). This offers homes in Ireland a simple, drop-in replacement for your regular kerosene heating oil that doesn’t require any adjustments to your boiler and heating system.

EcoMax provides up to 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when compared to regular heating oil! This cleaner hybrid fuel is designed to give optimal levels of heat to your home while significantly reducing your home’s carbon footprint.

Our regular high-quality Kerosene has been combined with HVO at the ratio of 80:20. Now for the first time, Irish households can use HVO as part of their home energy mix. Find out more and order EcoMax here.

There are many benefits of using HVO fuel, including operational and environmental factors. These include:

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%
• Meets EN 15940:2016 specifications
• Improve your corporate and social responsibility with Certa HVO fuel
• Extended 10-year storage lifespan with a reduced need for regular testing
• A renewable, sustainable replacement for regular diesel and gas oil
• All deliveries are carbon offset – at no extra cost to you
• Year-round performance
• Tested and tried product; it’s clean, safe and endorsed by a wide range of OEMs
• Excellent cold-weather performance
• Zero FAME, sulphur and fossil content
• Free from aromatics, sulphur and metals
• Reduced particulate production during combustion reduces the ageing of engine oils
• Cleaner and greener air
• Fully biodegradable, sustainable and non-toxic

Yes, absolutely! The similarities between mineral diesel and HVO mean that it can be used as a drop-in replacement for diesel vehicles. But it’s always best to check with your engine manufacturer first.

HVO fuel has OEM approvals from a wide range of manufacturers for a wide range of diesel engines. An OEM approval means that the fuel can be used with no risk of voiding the warranty of the vehicle or machinery.

Please consult the below list of manufacturers that have approved the use of HVO fuel in their engines to see if your hardware is covered. If your engine manufacturer is not included, give us a call and we will be able to contact the provider to determine whether your engine can use HVO. Many vehicle handbooks are now outdated so may not include HVO approvals yet, but it’s likely you can use HVO without any issues.

• Passenger car manufacturers approving the use of HVO fuel:
• Citroën
• DS Automobiles
• Ford (for it’s Transit van)
• Mercedes-Benz
• Peugeot
• Renault
• Volvo

Heavy-duty road vehicle manufacturers approving the use of HVO fuel:

• Mercedes-Benz
• DAF
• Iveco
• MAN
• Renault
• Scania
• Volvo Trucks

Non-road vehicle manufacturers approving the use of HVO fuel:

• AGCO
• Caterpillar
• John Deere
• Scania
• Steyr

Diesel engine manufacturers approving the use of HVO fuel:

• Daimler
• Deutz
• FPT
• ISUZU
• MTU
• Perkins
• Scania
• Volvo Penta