DCC : Certa fuelling a greener National Ploughing Championships

22 September 2022

Powering the event with renewable energy, reducing emissions by up to 90%

22 September 2022: Ireland's largest fuel supplier, Certa, part of DCC plc, a leading international sales, marketing and support services group, is supplying renewable diesel (specifically Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil or HVO) to power generators at this year's National Ploughing Championships. The commercial biofuel, made from plant-waste matter such as canola and algae, will reduce carbon emissions on site by up to 90%* compared to previous years - when generators were powered by traditional diesel.

Certa is the official fuel and lubricants sponsor of this year's National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois. The event is the largest outdoor exhibition and trade event in Europe. Some 300,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Certa has powered many high-profile events of the Irish summer season with sustainable fuel. It previously supplied its premium GD+ renewable diesel to the Irish Open, Longitude and Electric Picnic along with many other summer concerts, contributing to a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of those events.

DCC Energy helps several traditional diesel-dependent Irish businesses to switch from traditional fuel to biofuel. Earlier this month, Certa announced an agreement with Ireland's largest construction company, John Sisk & Son ("Sisk") to supply the company with renewable fuel for use in plant and machinery on all of its Irish construction sites. Sisk was the first construction business in Ireland to mandate the switch to renewable fuel across all sites.

Speaking ahead of the National Ploughing Championships, Andrew Graham, MD of Certa Ireland said: "We are proud to power this year's National Ploughing Championships with renewable energy, helping to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%. As the event returns to full capacity for the first time since 2019 and attendees become increasingly more environmentally conscious, it's vital to offer low-carbon fuel alternatives which align with the sustainability vision of Ireland's flagship agricultural event."

Eddie O'Brien, interim CEO DCC Energy, added: "Certa Ireland's support of this year's National Ploughing Championships is a fantastic example of DCC's Leading With Energy strategy at work, by supporting our customers with low carbon energy solutions. We are delighted to see the traction that our biofuel solution has been gaining in recent months as more organisations look at ways to immediately reduce their carbon emissions."

Ends

* Figures calculated using the latest DEFRA conversion factors

About DCC plc
DCC is a leading international sales, marketing and support services group with a clear focus on sustainable growth. DCC is an ambitious and entrepreneurial business operating in 21 countries, supplying products and services used by millions of people every day. Building strong routes to market, driving for results, focusing on cash conversion and generating superior sustainable returns on capital employed enable the Group to reinvest in its business, creating value for its stakeholders.

Headquartered in Dublin, the Group operates across three sectors: energy, healthcare and technology, employing over 15,400 people. DCC plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100. In its financial year ended 31 March 2022, DCC generated revenue of £17.7 billion and adjusted operating profit of £589.2 million.

DCC has an excellent record, delivering compound annual growth of 14% in adjusted operating profit and generating an average return on capital employed of approximately 19% over 28 years as a public company.

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About Certa

Certa's vision is to become Ireland's most exciting energy company, connecting people and businesses to the most progressive energy solutions available. Across our combined footprint, we service commercial, industrial, residential, and mobility customers.

Certa Ireland is headquartered in Portlaoise, with over 330 people employed nationwide and is a subsidiary of DCC PLC.

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