InVivo signs a 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 

Every year, the InVivo group charters around 550 block trains of cereals and malt to its port silos and industrial sites, particularly malt houses. The group has been working for many years with Europorte, which charters around 100 trains a year for InVivo to Rouen and Metz, and mainly to the Strasbourg malt house.

Until now, locomotives, which mainly run on capillary (non-electrified) lines, ran on nonroad diesel, the fuel historically used by locomotives. In line with their respective ambitions to work towards the decarbonisation of rail transport, the InVivo group and Europorte have decided to put an end to the use of nonroad diesel. As of today, the 100 trains entrusted by the group to Europorte will run on Oleo100. This 100% plant-based biofuel is a renewable energy source that is made entirely from rapeseeds harvested in France, and is produced and sold by Saipol, a subsidiary of Avril Group. It reduces CO2 emissions by 60 to 80% compared with diesel, without any significant modification to the equipment.

A particularly beneficial approach for Malteries Soufflet

Malteries Soufflet, already committed to a carbon-neutral approach, now benefits from close to 70 Oléo 100-powered malting barley trains bound for the Strasbourg malt house. The partnership with Europorte will enable Malteries Soufflet to save 900 tonnes of CO2 per year, out of the 1,300 tonnes saved at the group level.

Guillaume Couture, General Manager 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, CEO of Europorte: “We’re delighted to be supporting the InVivo group, a long-standing customer, in decarbonising its supply chain. Their interest in our Oleo100 traction offer, the fruit of the partnership initiated with the Avril Group 2 years ago, is a real mark of confidence in the reliability and quality of our solution and reinforces our status as a leading rail 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 be contributing to the decarbonisation of transport and, more broadly, the agricultural sector, by offering innovative and sustainable solutions produced from 100% French rapeseed. This is proof that French agriculture is a powerful lever for change.” ”