Valtra switches to 100-percent renewable fuel to fill new tractors

3/12/2018

Concrete steps towards a cleaner future.

Valtra has become the first tractor factory in the world to begin using Neste MY Renewable Diesel as the start-up fuel for all new tractors. As a result, around 700,000 litres of fossil diesel fuel will be replaced each year by 100-percent renewable fuel.

Valtra is one of the world’s leading tractor manufacturers. When the tractors roll off the assembly line, the first fuel is added to their tanks. As of this March, all new Valtra tractors will be tanked with Neste MY Renewable Diesel, as will the forklift trucks that operate in the factory.

“In today’s world it is important that we can demonstrate to our customers that we are taking decisive action to protect the environment. Neste MY offers us a simple way to move towards environmentally friendly operations. We are quite a big consumer of diesel, so this move is really significant,” says Mikko Lehikoinen, Marketing Director at Valtra.

Neste MY is produced from 100-percent renewable waste and residues, so it produces up to 90 percent less greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil diesel fuel. The reduction in emissions achieved by using renewable diesel corresponds to the removal of almost 560 cars from our roads for a year or approximately 46,000 tractor hours without emissions annually.

The quality of the new renewable diesel is excellent, and its cold-start properties are sufficient for even Arctic conditions. Renewable diesel can be used in tractors and forklift trucks as such without any additives and without having to make any changes to today’s engines.

“The environment is very important for our customers, who traditionally support ecological values. They are constantly trying to make better choices and no doubt prioritise responsibility also when choosing a tractor brand,” Lehikoinen adds.

Mikko Lehikoinen

Marketing Director, Valtra

“The environment is very important for our customers, who traditionally support ecological values. They are constantly trying to make better choices and no doubt prioritise responsibility also when choosing a tractor brand”

By beginning to use Neste MY, Valtra is strengthening its role as a responsible and innovative manufacturer. Thanks to Neste MY, each new Valtra tractor will be delivered to customers with a 100-percent renewable fuel of the future that is refined according to the principles of the circular economy and part of whose raw materials comes from farmers like themselves.

Nine out of ten new tractors manufactured at the Valtra factory are exported to over 75 countries around the world.

“This demonstrates our commitment to the circular economy and innovation. We are convinced that this message is very appealing to our target audiences, whether they are in Finland, Japan or Chile,” Lehikoinen concludes.

“We are extremely pleased that we can help Valtra reduce the carbon footprint of its tractors in over 75 countries. Neste MY can be used confidently all around the world and throughout the year, as it can withstand temperatures down to -34°. Its storage properties in the tank are also excellent,” says Mika Hyötyläinen, Vice President of Marketing, Marketing & Services, Neste.

Neste MY Renewable Diesel in brief
Neste MY Renewable Diesel is classified as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and it should not be confused with traditional biodiesel (FAME). Neste MY Renewable Diesel is a premium-quality product and it can be used in any blending ratio or as such in all diesel engines. Read more about the difference between renewable diesel and traditional biodiesel.

Read more
Neste MY Renewable Diesel
Neste and Valtra have launched a website called Wake Up Call to Farmers. It gives a voice to those farmers around the world who have done concrete actions for a better tomorrow.

About Valtra

Valtra Inc. develops, manufactures, markets and services Valtra tractors that are individualized for the way customers work. Renowned for their versatility and reliability, Valtra tractors are engineered to deliver high performance in demanding working conditions and on extreme terrains. Valtra is a worldwide brand of AGCO Corporation, being the leading tractor manufacturer in the Nordic countries and one of the most popular brands in Latin America.
www.valtra.fi

About AGCO AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural solutions and supports more productive farming through its full line of equipment and related services. AGCO products are sold through five core brands, Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra®, supported by Fuse® precision technologies and farm optimization services, and are distributed globally through a combination of approximately 3,000 independent dealers and distributors in more than 130 countries. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA. In 2016, AGCO had net sales of $7.4 billion. For more information, visit http://www.AGCOcorp.com. For company news, information and events, please follow us on Twitter: @AGCOCorp. For financial news on Twitter, please follow the hashtag #AGCOIR.