Pendeltruck goes green
The preparations are complete, and after the summer holidays, a new truck will be shuttling back and forth between our two production sites. The truck will be very eco-friendly without any concessions being made in terms of performance, durability and reliability.
Van Houtum has two production sites in Swalmen: the paper machines on the Boutestraat and the processing activities at the Reubenberg industrial zone. Each day, parent reels are transported from one site to the other, and this logistics process can and must become more socially responsible. Har Thomassen, Logistics Manager: “Our aim is to ensure that the transport process becomes more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. We also wish to minimize the nuisance caused to our fellow townspeople, as the only available route is right through the town.”
“At present, we’re still transporting the parent reels with two old trucks which do not even comply with the Euro I standard. This standard sets out specific requirements for the emission of CO2, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particular matter. After the summer, we will switch to using a single new truck which complies with the strictest possible environmental standard for trucks, the EEV (Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle). This standard is even stricter than the European legal minimum requirements set out in Euro V.”
“We are still studying the option of having an LPG unit built into the truck. Such a unit would inject LPG into the piston chamber at a specific rpm and motor temperature. This would reduce the CO2 emissions by approx. 5% and NOx emissions by 10% in comparison to a diesel-fuelled motor. The effect on the sound level would not be very significant, i.e. a reduction of 1 dB(A).”
All in all, this is the most eco-friendly truck presently on the market, if we also consider the requirements which the truck needs to meet. “Just look at the number of round trips per day in combination with the volume and weight that needs to be transported,” says Har. “And remember: a parent reel weighs between 1300 and 1900 kg! The new pendeltruck will be able to transport 9 reels on each trip. A hybrid truck is not really an option for us, as we would then need giant batteries which would have to be exchanged 4 to 5 times each day.”
The pendeltruck will be fitted with an accident prevention system on the sides to prevent anyone from accidentally falling under the truck. “If, for example, a cyclist collides with the truck, the cyclist will 'bounce off' instead of ending up under it ,” explains Har. If everything goes according to plan, the pendeltruck will start shuttling back and forth on 2 August - immediately after the construction industry holiday.
