New (LNG) Volvo trucks for AB Texel Group

AB Texel Group is the Western European market leader in transporting potatoes and other agricultural products. The company also transports refrigerated food products, cattle feed, flour, dairy, and building materials. The group employs some 2,000 people and has a fleet of 1,500 trucks and 2,500 trailers. AB Texel Group has a strong European network, enabling it to provide 24/7 flexibility to its clients.

Customised solutions: a shared core value
AB Texel Group looks for tailor-made solutions so it can guarantee total peace of mind and create smart logistics chains. "We want to take the problems off our clients’ hands and allow them to focus on their core business. The only way to do that is with a customised transport solution. We take our cues from the client’s needs and tailor our services accordingly.

We have trailers that are specifically designed for the products that we transport. The agreement with Volvo Trucks is also focused on customisation," explains Dennis Wetenkamp, managing director of AB Texel Group.

The order is for new Volvo FH and FM heavy haulage trucks, turnkey, hooklifts, and cattle feed tractors with blowers. Fourteen Volvo FH and FM tractors will run on LNG. These trucks will be used by AB Texel Zuivel Transport, AB Impens, AB Texel Deutschland and Combex Bouwlogistiek.

Running on our own cargo
To increase the sustainability of transport and reduce CO² emissions, AB Texel Group and Shell have launched a study into the feasibility of Bio-LNG. The aim is to ferment organic waste and convert it into a biofuel that can fuel trucks. "Together with Shell, we want to realise a solution for transporting potatoes in trucks that run on fuel created from potato peel. Then we’ll be running on our own cargo," Dennis Wetenkamp explains.

Shell has a share in the first Dutch Bio-LNG production facility for fermenting organic waste. Construction on the plant started in Amsterdam at the end of last year and is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2021.

"We are currently looking at other routes for LNG and Bio-LNG as well. We expect to further expand our LNG fleet in 2021, but this is highly dependent on the increase in the number of LNG refuelling locations. More refuelling locations will mean that we can cover more and of our routes using this clean fuel. Many of our customers are working to reduce their CO² footprint, just as we are. LNG, and particularly Bio-LNG, will play an important role in this in the Netherlands. In addition, we – along with Volvo – are keeping a close eye on developments involving hydrogen," says Dennis Wetenkamp.