ESL Fuels targets farm equipment with new Ultra Gas Oil launch

Four years after its purchase of the ex BP Castrol oil terminal in Stanlow and, following a multi-million pound capital investment programme at the Ellesmere Port plant, ESL Fuels is targeting the agricultural equipment sector with the launch of its new Ultra Gas Oil fuel product.

Traditionally, the minimum cetane number (CN) for off road red diesel has started much lower than road diesel at 45, but many modern manufacturers of non road mobile machinery (NRMM), including tractors, are telling customers they will now only warranty new equipment that meets the EN590 CN specification of 51.

ESL Fuels' Ultra Gas Oil achieves this mimimum cetane value of 51 enabling it to offer faster fuel combustion, improved performance, including in cold start situations, and fewer emissions. The new fuel also offers improved built-in detergency which helps remove harmful deposits on critical engine components and protects against the build-up of new ones which can cause power loss. Combining enhanced detergency with a higher cetane number delivers cleaner, more efficient fuel injection systems which are therefore less prone to pump and injector deterioration or failure. All of this means ESL Fuels can now offer customers an optimum product quality but for only a fractional increase in pence per litre cost.

ESL Fuels' managing director, Stephen Whittaker believes that the farm machinery sector is ready to accept a competitive new market entrant in direct gas oil supply: "Whilst the benefits of a gas oil's higher cetane value are becoming increasingly recognised, product quality has been consistently compromised by price-sensitivity. It's our intention to shake up a market that has traditionally been shaped by fuel wholesalers and distributors and to halt their 'race to the bottom' in terms of standard product quality by introducing a red diesel alternative that, with price taken out of the equation, would be the preferred choice of any discerning specifier."

"Furthermore, because we have complete control over the blend, manufacture and distribution of Ultra Gas Oil we can manage costs so that if there is any price premium for the customer it is almost negligible and far outweighed by engine performance benefits and cost efficiencies over the longer term," said Whittaker.

With a proven pedigree in the manufacture of innovative fuel products going back 16 years, annual sales of some 180 million litres and a successful, long-established relationship with the UK's largest fuel distributor, ESL Fuels has been able to further transform its business ambitions since its purchase of the Stanlow oil terminal in 2012.

The site holds over 100 storage tanks with a capacity of 35 million litres and has pipeline connections to the neighbouring Essar oil refinery as well as dockside connection to Manchester Ship Canal, enabling ESL Fuels to receive, blend and distribute a large amount of fuel products UK-wide. With a dedicated fleet of 15 artic tankers, continuity of supply can also be assured.

Stephen Whittaker continued: "We have already developed a full range of fuels for multiple clients in specific markets such as heavy duty haulage and marine and have to date sold well over half a billion litres of our popular Ultra 35 bespoke heating oil. Our continued expansion of Stanlow and our ability to source and blend premium oils to create new fuels means we are confident that in the agricultural sector Ultra Gas Oil can quickly become just as commercially viable as these established products."