Dearman wins major National Air Quality Award for innovation

Clean cold experts at Dearman won the Innovation in Air Quality Technology Award at the annual National Air Quality Awards.

Dearman received the award jointly with Leeds City Council. Both parties worked together to trial a zero emission transport refrigeration unit (TRU) in the city and assess the impact of diesel TRUs on air quality.

Specifically, the trial sought to measure the reduction in emissions from using a zero emission TRU compared to a typical diesel TRU.

The trial was backed with a £150,000 grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It found that deploying zero-emission transport refrigeration unit would significantly reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted in the Leeds area.

Dearman’s groundbreaking TRU is powered by liquid nitrogen. In contrast to the diesel TRUs in thousands of UK urban trailers, it emits no NOx or particulate matter.

It has already been used in the fleets of Sainsbury’s, Unilever, and is currently being used by Marks & Spencer. The National Air Quality Awards, hosted this year at Lord’s Cricket Ground, are held annually to celebrate the successes of industry, local authorities, transport and technology providers in tackling air pollution across Britain.

Commenting, Dearman’s Commercial Manager Florian Wagner, said:

“We are delighted to have won a National Air Quality Award for innovation. We have always been confident in the many benefits of the Dearman transport refrigeration unit, and the results of the Leeds trial back that up. I’d like to thank colleagues at Leeds City Council for facilitating the trial and ensuring its success.

The trial showed the huge cut in harmful emissions that can be delivered by encouraging a switch to zero emission TRUs. There is an increasing climate to transition away from diesel to improve Britain’s air quality, and Dearman stands ready to help fleet operators who want to get ahead of the curve.”