The Fuels business manufactures and markets peat briquettes, imports and distributes coal and operates an oil distribution business. It also manufactures a range of convenience products including Firelighters, Firelog and Firepak.

 

The business performed exceptionally well for the year primarily as a result of inclement weather and the unprecedented increases in oil and gas prices. The global downturn also impacted on consumer buying behaviour resulting in a strong performance on our briquette, coal and convenience products.

 

The Fuels business also launched a successful range of eco products during the year, comprising wood-based firelighters, eco-logs, conventional firewood logs and wood pellets. All of these products are carbon-neutral with consumer-friendly packaging. Additions to this range of products are anticipated through innovative product development.

 

A continuous cost containment programme is in place to ensure our on-going competitiveness. During the year we exited Tolka Quay in Dublin redeploying these operations elsewhere without disruption to our service offer.

 

We are identifying emerging opportunities in the fuels business in general but particularly in the sustainable heating solutions area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. How will the Fuels business respond to climate concerns?
Bord na Móna’s ‘New Contract with Nature’ is a pro-active approach to concerns in the energy and environmental areas. We are identifying emerging opportunities in the fuels business in general but particularly in the sustainable heating solutions area. Our primary focus is on opportunities in district heating solutions. We are currently conducting feasibility studies which if successful will deliver efficient, reliable and low carbon solutions.

 

Q. What other solutions do you envisage?
Bord na Móna is committed to exploring and supplying a complete heating package for our customers. That includes investigating areas such as insulation, photovoltaics, and thermostatic controls, as well as wind and geothermal. Bord na Móna will constantly harness new technologies to add value and innovation to our stakeholders.

 

Q. What do you see as your competitive advantage?
The Fuels business has a proven commercial and performance track record in the highly competitive fuels market, combined with a strong customer base and a deep brand value built through partnership over many years. Combined with a nationwide supply chain they are core strengths that give us competitive advantage in this field. We have the added advantage of cross synergies with our Energy and Resource Recovery businesses where we are collectively innovating towards sustainable energy solutions for future generations of consumers.