Multiplex has partnered with Marr Contracting, Lendlease and the NSW Government to pioneer the use of renewable diesel for cranes – a move set to fast-track the Australian construction industry’s journey to net-zero carbon emissions.
The NSW Government’s new Sydney Fish Market development will the first site in Australia to use the fuel, HVO100, to power its tower crane.
A sustainable alternative to fossil fuels commonly used in road transport and aviation, HVO100 is chemically identical to conventional diesel and can be used in machinery without the need for any modification.
Cranage provider, Marr Contracting worked with the Australian Government to facilitate the first shipment of HV0100 to Australia in August, 2022, becoming the first business in the country to use the 100 per cent renewable diesel.
Multiplex Regional Managing Director, David Ghannoum, said Multiplex was thrilled to support Marr Contracting in bringing HVO100 into the Australian market, and called on the rest of the industry to get on board.
“This is a critical step towards a net zero carbon future for one of the country’s largest industries, being construction,” Mr Ghannoum said.
“Multiplex has made a global commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and support our clients and supply chain to do the same. Removing fossil diesel fuel from our sites presents a huge opportunity for our projects and industry to significantly reduce carbon emissions and make a real change.”
Reaching its 60th year in business this year, Multiplex was the first contractor in the world to sign the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Commitment in 2019. In 2012, it was a founding member of the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living, a national research and innovation hub dedicated to driving the built environment towards a globally competitive low carbon future.
“This renewable fuel initiative is an evolution of our decarbonisation strategy – in place for more than 10 years – and solidifies our global commitment to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions for ourselves and our value chain,” said Mr Ghannoum.
“We are committed to gearing our bids towards being on time, on budget and on carbon, and finding ways to reduce emissions from the machinery on our sites will be a significant part of this.”
Sustainability is at the core of the new Sydney Fish Market development and its construction. Multiplex will deliver a 5 Star Green Star building achieved by focusing on sustainability initiatives, with its 100-year structural design life in addition to sourcing energy efficient services and systems to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in energy use – enough to power 380 homes a year.
The new Sydney Fish Market will also incorporate sustainable materials, such as advanced timber laminate and earth friendly concrete to avoid 1,000,000 tonnes of C02 emissions. In addition, concrete is sourced from an adjacent plant, reducing travel time and C02 emissions throughout construction.