InVivo signs partnership with Europorte to decarbonise rail transport for malt houses

The InVivo group, which has been involved in the "Fret 21" initiative for two years through its subsidiary Malteries Soufflet, is ramping up the decarbonisation of its rail transport—operated by Europorte—with the use of Oleo100, a fully plant-based biofuel developed by Saipol. 

A 60% reduction in CO2 from freight trains

Each year, the InVivo group charters around 550 trains carrying cereals and malt to its port silos and industrial sites, in particular its malt houses. Europorte, which the group has used for many years, charters approximately 100 trains per year for InVivo to Rouen, Metz and, primarily, to the malt house in Strasbourg. 

Until recently, locomotives mainly using capillary lines (non-electrified) ran on non-road diesel, a fuel historically used by such engines. Harbouring ambitions to work towards the decarbonisation of rail transport, the InVivo group and Europorte wanted to put an end to its use. As such, the 100 trains operated for the group by Europorte will now run on Oleo100. This fully plant-based biofuel is a renewable energy source derived entirely from rapeseed harvested in France, and produced and marketed by Saipol, a subsidiary of the Avril Group. It offers a 60–80% reduction in CO2 compared to diesel, without significant changes to equipment being required.

A particularly beneficial approach for Malteries Soufflet

Malteries Soufflet already working towards carbon neutrality now has close to 70 malting barley trains powered by Oleo100 delivering to the Strasbourg malt house. The partnership with Europorte will thus enable Malteries Soufflet to save 900 tonnes of CO2 per year, contributing to the 1300 tonnes saved at group level.

Guillaume Couture, CEO of Malteries Soufflet: "The benefits of this wonderful project are expected to extend beyond Malteries Soufflet, since our partner Europorte also works with Soufflet Agriculture. On average, we expect to save 1300 tonnes of CO2 per year."  

Raphaël Doutrebente, Group CEO of Europorte: "We are delighted to be supporting the InVivo group, a long-standing customer, in the process of decarbonising its supply chain. Its interest in our Oleo100 locomotive offering which is the result of the partnership we entered into with the Avril Group two years ago is a true sign of confidence in the reliability and quality of our solution, and reinforces our status as a leading railway operator in the energy transition."  

Christophe Beaunoir, CEO of Saipol: "In line with the history of our Group and its purpose, Serving the Earth, we at Saipol are proud to contribute to the decarbonisation of transport, and more broadly of the agricultural sector, by providing innovative and sustainable solutions based on 100% French rapeseed. This is proof that French agriculture is a powerful lever for transitions."