M&S looking at zero-emission cold transport

Marks & Spencer could soon roll-out zero-emission engines across their refrigerated transport units to help combat carbon emissions.

The retailer launched a partnership with British tech firm Dearman, who build liquid nitrogen-powered transport refrigerator units (TRU), with a view to replace their current diesel-powered fleet.

Compared to a conventional diesel-powered TRU, a Dearman Hubbard system has the potential to cut CO2 emissions by up to 95%. The venture sees M&S lease a dual compartment Dearman Hubbard TRU, on a refrigerated semi-trailer, to be operated out of its Hemel Hempstead depot.

M&S’s ambition, in partnership with Dearman, is to quantify the costs and environmental benefits of Dearman’s technology before leading to a nationwide roll-out.

Anthony Whitehouse, M&S Fleet Engineer, said: “Our latest sustainability plan is ambitious and includes bold new science-based target to further improve the efficiency of our operations. Our chilled delivery trucks have a role to play in that and we believe Dearman’s transport refrigeration unit could help us meet our emissions targets.”

M&S became the first carbon neutral retailer according to their 2012 report How We do Business. In June 2017 they launched a new sustainability initiative tagged “Plan A 2025” which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from M&S operations worldwide by 80% compared to 2006/07.

The retailer has over 1,000 stores across the UK and 60% of its UK turnover is from food sales.

Dearman CEO Scott Mac Meekin added: “We are delighted to be launching a partnership with a real heavyweight on the UK high street. Marks & Spencer is a trusted brand for the quality of its products and the company is clearly ambitious on the sustainability agenda. It wants to go much further in cutting the carbon dioxide emissions of its chilled deliveries and a Dearman transport refrigeration unit is uniquely placed to achieve that goal.”