Driving Sustainability and Excellence: ICL’s Commitment to Carbon Reduction and Transport Innovation

At Industrial Chemicals Ltd (ICL), we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and continuously improving our fleet’s efficiency.

Over the past three years, we have successfully increased our fleet’s miles per gallon (MPG) by 20%. This achievement was made possible by utilising Microlise Telematic KPIs to enhance driver performance, ensuring a more sustainable and efficient operation.

We are proud to announce a significant fleet investment of £2.3 million in 12 new MAN trucks, including three 18-tonne rigids and a specialised rubber-lined 12-tonne rigid, further enhancing our fleet’s capability and reliability.

Further reinforcing our commitment to sustainability, we have acquired 18 ex-contract hire 70-plate Renault trucks, which will be fitted with Carbon Capture equipment. Additionally, we have implemented a Hydrogen Cleaning program for the engines of our owned fleet, which accounts for approximately 40% of our total 63-vehicle fleet, including both articulated and rigid trucks.

Our commitment to vehicle longevity and safety is demonstrated through our ongoing Refurbishment Program. At any given time, two tanks are taken off the road for a complete overhaul, including new running gear, repainting, and re-lining if necessary an initiative that represents an annual investment of approximately £150,000.

ICL takes pride in operating our own vehicle workshops at West Thurrock, staffed by a highly skilled team of four City & Guild Level 3 Technicians and one Level 4 Master Technician. Our in-house servicing capabilities extend to northern sites, allowing us to strategically plan deliveries while minimising empty mileage and maximising efficiency.

Earned Recognition: A Mark of Excellence

ICL is among an elite group of transport operators to achieve Earned Recognition Accreditation from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) – a distinction awarded to only one in ten applicants, primarily haulage companies rather than in-house operations like ours.

The DVSA’s Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system uses a traffic light-based rating to monitor transport compliance. For the past eight years, ICL has maintained a Green score in both Drivers’ Hours and Vehicle Maintenance categories. Recognising our consistent compliance and operational excellence, we voluntarily pursued Earned Recognition status – a rigorous auditing process spanning several months. In January 2024, we proudly attained this prestigious accreditation.

Achieving Earned Recognition means our OCRS score is now Blue, signifying the highest level of compliance. As a result, our vehicles are far less likely to be subjected to roadside inspections, as our stringent monthly performance reports to the DVSA confirm our ongoing adherence to best practices.

Recognition from Industry Leaders

Our training provider, who collaborates with numerous blue-chip transport operators across the UK, praised this milestone:

Congratulations to all. Great achievement. This now puts you with the elite group of hauliers.

At ICL, we remain dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Our commitment to best practices and continued investment in cutting-edge fleet technology ensures that we provide the highest level of service to our customers while reducing our environmental impact.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to drive progress in the transport industry.