STRABAG, an international construction group, has launched a biodiesel pilot project in Oman aimed at reducing emissions within the country’s construction sector. The initiative, developed in partnership with Wakud, seeks to test the viability of using B7 biodiesel—a blend containing up to 7 percent biodiesel with conventional diesel—in heavy construction machinery under real site conditions. The pilot is aligned with Oman’s broader energy transition goals and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The project is scheduled to run for approximately three months, operating in two shifts and consuming an estimated 27,400 liters of B7 fuel. Initial trials will focus on a Caterpillar 966GC wheel loader, with detailed monitoring of its performance before extending testing to other equipment. STRABAG plans to evaluate several factors during the trial, including fuel consumption, engine performance, operational reliability, maintenance needs, and overall equipment functionality, to determine whether biodiesel can be integrated into construction operations without impacting productivity or machine durability.
According to STRABAG’s Oman division, around half of the company’s construction fleet in the country could potentially use B7 biodiesel, although broader implementation will depend on pilot outcomes, compatibility across machinery types, and consistent fuel availability. The choice of B7 blend complies with EN 590 diesel standards and existing equipment manufacturer requirements, making it a practical starting point for assessing biodiesel’s performance on construction sites.
This pilot represents one of the first initiatives to test biodiesel in construction machinery under active site conditions within Oman. STRABAG emphasizes that the findings could serve as a reference for other contractors, industrial players, and businesses with heavy equipment, encouraging wider adoption of lower-carbon fuels across the industrial and contracting sectors in the Sultanate.
The environmental significance of the project is underscored by the construction sector’s considerable share in global carbon dioxide emissions—accounting for roughly 38 percent worldwide according to figures cited by STRABAG. Reducing emissions in construction is therefore recognized as critical to broader decarbonization efforts.
The pilot forms part of STRABAG Group’s extensive global sustainability strategy, which includes over 200 innovation projects and 450 sustainability initiatives. The company aims to cut absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42 percent and Scope 3 emissions by 25 percent by 2030, consistent with its science-based reduction targets established for 2023–2030.
Worldwide, STRABAG is advancing alternative propulsion technologies, renewable fuels, and low-carbon construction materials. Its operations in Europe have prior experience utilizing B7 biodiesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), providing a foundation for evaluating similar fuel technologies in Oman. Should the pilot prove successful, the company plans to consider testing higher biodiesel blends as well as other low-carbon fuel options in future phases.