Innovation

Voets, a company founded in 1932 in the Netherlands, has been at the forefront of sustainable innovation in the agricultural sector. The company has developed a zero-emission program for agricultural machinery, including electric mini-excavators and methane-powered tractors. These electric machines are powered by renewable energy, while the methane-powered tractors run on biogas produced from farm waste. By turning waste into energy, Voets promotes a circular economy, significantly reducing the environmental impact of traditional diesel-powered machinery.

This innovation addresses the growing need for sustainable practices in agriculture, offering a practical solution to the challenges posed by climate change. With a dedicated workforce of 74 employees, Voets' efforts align with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Voets' technology directly contributes to SDG 13: Climate Action, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farming operations. This shift to zero-emission machinery helps mitigate the harmful effects of traditional fossil-fuel-based agricultural practices, thus playing a critical role in combating climate change. Additionally, Voets' innovative approach supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by fostering sustainable growth within the agricultural industry. Their machinery not only lowers the carbon footprint of farming operations but also provides farmers with a cost-efficient, long-term alternative due to reduced operational costs.

Through these innovative products, Voets is helping farmers and municipalities transition to greener alternatives, promoting a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem. Their commitment to environmentally responsible farming practices contributes to a cleaner, more resilient global economy, ensuring that agriculture can be both productive and sustainable for future generations.

Inspiration

Voets' journey toward zero-emission agricultural machinery was fueled by a bold vision: to reshape farming practices for a more sustainable future. In their conversations with farmers, Voets noticed an increasing demand for machinery that could meet rigorous environmental standards without sacrificing efficiency. The agricultural sector, responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, became the ideal proving ground for a cleaner, greener technology. The dedication of Voets’ team reflects their commitment to this cause.

Driven by the belief that agricultural innovation is key to climate action, they embarked on selling machinery that eliminates emissions entirely, ensuring that farms can operate in harmony with nature. Voets’ innovation does more than reduce emissions; it sets a new standard for what agriculture can achieve in the race toward environmental sustainability. Their zero-emission machinery is not only practical but also a symbol of hope for a future where productivity and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

Overall impact

Voets has already been looking into sustainable agricultural innovation for a long time, making substantial strides toward a greener future. The company’s zero-emission program, featuring electric mini-excavators and methane-powered tractors, directly tackles environmental issues by reducing the carbon footprint of agricultural machinery. By turning farm waste into biogas fuel, Voets promotes a circular economy, ensuring that agricultural by-products are repurposed as valuable energy resources. These technologies not only provide environmental benefits but also support farmers and municipalities by offering long-term cost savings through reduced energy expenses. Voets’ work aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), as it helps mitigate climate change while modernizing farming practices. This commitment to sustainable technology fosters a more resilient agricultural ecosystem, ultimately enhancing the productivity and sustainability of future farming.

Business benefit

Because Voets expanded its product range with zero-emission options such as the Goupil electric vehicles, cordless tools, and electric transporters, it resulted in Voets having a broader customer base. All the electric vehicles are fully electric and have no harmful emissions which makes them more suitable for use in urban areas where strict emission requirements apply.

Therefore, by supplying this range of electric vehicles, Voets gets more potential customers and orders from urban areas as the range is mostly focused on the needs of urban areas. In addition to the above, the investment made by Voets in electric company cars leads to cost savings in the long term. This is because electric cars have lower running costs, and lower service and maintenance costs. Cost savings will result in more total revenue for Voets as a business leading to higher profits.

Voets also invested in solar panels, resulting in cost savings in the long term due to reduced utility costs. Furthermore, by certifying for the CO2 performance ladder certification Voets has benefited from the business through securing various tenders.

This year, from the Wieringerwerf location, Voets won the European tender issued by the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board. Voets will deliver seven new tractors of the type T5 auto command before the end of this year (2024) with an option for four units for next year. The order involved a sum of approximately 1.4 million euros. In addition, Voets also established itself as a serious player in the industry as it won the tender since there were a total of seven candidates trying to get the tender.

Social and environmental benefit

Voets focuses on environmentally friendly and sustainable business operations through reducing CO2 emissions which benefits the society and environment at large. Voets has put in place measures to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and emission of fossil fuels so as to create a better living environment. In Hazerswoude, Voets implemented solar panels which provide enough power for up to 38% of electricity consumption which resulted in emissions per FTE decreasing by 21% in 2024 compared to 2022. Based on the emission inventory carried out it shows that the measures taken by Voets to reduce CO2 emissions were a success. Therefore, resulting in the society benefiting through clean air circulation due to the decrease in CO2 emissions.

New Holland launched the world’s first production tractor powered by methane, which is sold through Voets. This innovation has helped society, mostly farmers since the tractors can be powered by renewable fuel they would have produced on their farms through decomposition of organic matter. The use of tractors powered by methane helps reduce costs as they no longer have to buy fuel for the tractors which benefits the farmers. New Holland also introduced an electric utility tractor on the market. This tractor benefits society as it is powerful and performs better than a diesel tractor. It also leads to reduced maintenance costs as farmers will no longer have to buy fuel.

Through the introduction of the electric tractor and the tractor powered by methane, Voets addressed a number of the Sustainable Development Goals. By producing both of the tractors mentioned above, New Holland addressed SDG 9 ‘Industry, innovation and Infrastructure’ which talks about upgrading infrastructure making them sustainable with increased resource-use efficiency. It also addresses SDG 13 ‘Climate Action’ through the production of electric vehicles that reduce the emission of fossil fuels thereby combating climate change which is also an environmental benefit.

Interview

Wijnand Voets, General director