Balfour Beatty has successfully completed a ground-breaking trial of Engine Carbon Clean (ECC) technology on a compact tamping machine, marking a significant step forward in reducing carbon emissions and improving engine performance across its rail operations.
ECC is an innovative, patented solution designed by Advanced Hydrogen Technologies, that uses on-demand hydrogen to remove carbon build-up inside combustion engines. By introducing hydrogen into the air intake, the system enables engines to draw exactly what they need, improving fuel efficiency, extending asset lifecycle, and reducing harmful emissions including CO₂, CO, NOx and N₂O.
As the first infrastructure company to apply this technology to rail-mounted plant, Balfour Beatty is tackling Scope 1 emissions head-on. The trial, which simulated a full year of operation in line with standard maintenance cycles, delivered a 15.79% reduction in emissions. Building on this success, Balfour Beatty plans to roll out ECC across its entire tamper fleet.
George Chaplin, Investment & Innovation Manager at Balfour Beatty, said: “ECC is a simple, non-intrusive solution that integrates seamlessly into our servicing schedules. By extending engine life, reducing maintenance needs and lowering fuel consumption, ECC delivers measurable carbon and cost savings while minimising downtime – a smart, sustainable investment for our fleet.”
ECC technology is already proven on road vehicles, achieving fuel and CO₂ savings of up to 30%. Working with rail specialists K2C Rail and partners 1stinrail, part of the RSK Group, ECC ensures compliance with rail industry standards while supporting ESG requirements under the International Financial Reporting Standards mandate.
Tony Kearns, Managing Director at K2C Rail Ltd, added: “We’re committed to bringing innovative, sustainable solutions to the rail sector. Partnering with ECC and Balfour Beatty demonstrates our shared ambition to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions across the supply chain.”
ENDS
All non-media related enquiries should be directed to +44 (0)20 7216 6800 or info@balfourbeatty.com
Notes to editors:
- Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group with 27,000 employees driving the delivery of powerful new solutions, shaping thinking, creating skylines and inspiring a new generation of talent to be the change-makers of tomorrow.
- We finance, develop, build, maintain and operate the increasingly complex and critical infrastructure that supports national economies and deliver projects at the heart of local communities.
- Over the last 116 years we have created iconic buildings and infrastructure all over the world. Currently, we are working to deliver Hinkley Point C, the first UK nuclear power station in a generation; constructing the world-class arts and cultural facility, the Lyric Theatre, in Hong Kong; and designing, building, financing, operating and maintaining the Automated People Mover superstructure at one of the busiest airport in the world, Los Angeles International Airport.
- Balfour Beatty is one of the UK’s leading rail infrastructure suppliers. From feasibility studies, planning and design through to implementation and asset management, we provide multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure services across the lifecycle of rail assets including electrification, track, power, signalling and railway systems and technologies. With a focus on technology and innovation, we look to enhance infrastructure asset performance and ensure smooth operations.
Image: Colleagues from Balfour Beatty, Engine Carbon Clean and K2C Rail
