John F Hunt is a leading contractor specialising in technical engineering services for construction, demolition and regeneration projects. Head of Sustainability Manager Daniel Sweeney, Group Compliance Director John Fenner and General Manager of Regeneration Simon Skentelbery discussed the company’s sustainable projects and innovative approaches.
Established in 1981, John F Hunt Group comprises 21 companies focused on the construction industry, offering specialist engineering services and plant hire. The Group is dedicated to promoting the circular economy and decarbonising operations.
“We adhere to stringent environmental and quality standards, including ISO 50001 and ISO 14001,” said Head of Sustainability Manager Daniel Sweeney. “We collaborate with clients to make their projects more
sustainable, assessing all impacts and delivering additional value.”
Group Compliance Director John Fenner highlighted the expertise within the company: “We are fortunate to have a workforce of intelligent and well-qualified individuals. Our diverse specialisms allow us to leverage each other’s knowledge and resources to deliver exceptional results.”
Sustainable journey
John F Hunt Ltd has embarked on a significant and challenging journey to reduce carbon emissions and provide industry insights on implementing the circular economy. The company’s business strategy has evolved to focus more on specialist engineering and refurbishment projects, reflecting the market’s appetite for sustainable development.
“This decision allows us to work with clients and developers who share our sustainability aspirations,” continued Mr Sweeney.
John F Hunt Ltd has joined the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP), using it as a platform for knowledge sharing across the industry. This collaboration has
provided opportunities to present its experiences to a wider audience, promoting the circular economy.
The Group’s commitment to the circular economy extends beyond client instructions. The investment in a sustainability analyst and a circular economy specialist underscores this dedication. The Group has developed an in-house carbon accounting platform, which has enabled a 56% reduction in carbon emissions from 2022 to 2023. This platform supports high-quality reporting and data-driven decision-making.
Sustainability is now embedded in John F Hunt Ltd’s bidding and project execution processes. Internal communication between
departments ensures that low-carbon and operational efficiency are prioritised throughout their projects. By leveraging the specialisms within the business and focusing on transitioning to a main contractorrole, the Group can provide enhanced sustainable tenders.
“We now have a dedicated team focusing solely on circular economy initiatives, from manufacturer take-back schemes to exploring other solutions,” Mr Sweeney explained. “This has become core to our business model, and we’re embedding sustainability and circular economy practices across all our projects, working closely with clients and our supply chain to achieve these goals.”
John F Hunt Ltd’s proactive approach to sustainability and the circular economy sets a benchmark for the industry, demonstrating how businesses can innovate and lead in environmental responsibility.
Innovative transformations
John F Hunt Regeneration is dedicated to transforming brownfield sites into viable commercial or residential areas, mitigating the risks associated with industrial legacy sites. Through advanced remediation techniques, the company aims to achieve zero site export and retain the majority of materials on-site, a significantly more sustainable practice than removal.
“We have a very collaborative approach with our clients on how we can improve the environment we’re working on,” said Simon Skentelbery, General Manager of Regeneration. “At John F Hunt, we emphasise the importance of completing projects sustainably and incorporating carbonsaving practices. This means reusing mate rials as much as possible and disposing of waste appropriately.”
A prime example of this work is the Barking Power Station Transformation. The former Barking Power Station in Dagenham, closed in 2014, is being transformed into the UK’s largest wholesale food destination. John F Hunt constructed a 44,000-tonne
pre-surcharging embankment trial to assess the feasibility of using the existing pile foundation for a ground-bearing raft slab. By usingrecycled Type 1 aggregate from a local supplier, instead of G1 material, the project saved 343 tonnes of CO2 on the project.
A further example of the drive to deliver innovative solutions to the clients is the project at Wheal Jane Mine Water Treatment plant in Truro. To improve the efficiency of this mine water treatment scheme, John F Hunt conducted a study with an artificial intelligence specialist. This project treats mine water pumped from below ground through a high-density sludge process, which traditionally uses a significant amount of lime transported from Derbyshire. The data discovery report identified opportunities to optimise lime usage based on historical data, significantly reducing the project’s carbon emissions. This model will be applied to all water treatment services, showcasing the commitment to value engineering.
John F Hunt Regeneration’s innovative and sustainable practices highlight its dedication to environmental responsibility and the ability to deliver exceptional results through collaboration and advanced techniques.
Advanced solutions
John F Hunt Power has established itself as a leader in providing advanced, sustainable temporary power solutions. The company has made significant strides in modernising its fleet and adopting technologies that prioritise environmental responsibility.
One of the major advancements introduced by John F Hunt Power is the use of Stage V generators. These generators are equipped with advanced environmental controls, such as Ad-Blue systems and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs), which reduce emissions by up to 95% compared to traditional diesel generators. This ensures compliance with stringent ultra-low emission regulations.
The company has also implemented flywheel technology through its PP200 Flybrid units, which capture and reuse kinetic energy. This innovation allows for the use of smaller, more efficient generators. For instance, in a project for the medical industry, John F Hunt Power reduced the generator size from 300 KVA to 160 KVA, saving approximately 600 litres of fuel per week and cutting CO2 emissions by 80 tons per site annually.
Furthering its commitment to sustainability, John F Hunt Power has invested in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). These systems enable fuel-free periods and hybrid solutions that adjust to site demands. Integrated remote fleet monitoring optimises performance and provides real-time energy analysis.
The company offers generators, batteries and flywheel units compatible with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a renewable fuel certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC). HVO can
reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%, supporting boththe company and its clients in achieving net-zero targets.
Internally, John F Hunt Power has introduced electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, transitioned to electric vehicles, implemented recycling programs, and moved towards paperless operations. These initiatives underscore the company’s dedication to setting the benchmark for reliable and environmentally responsible temporary power solutions.
With these innovations, John F Hunt Power continues to lead the industry in providing sustainable and efficient power solutions.
“The John F Hunt Group is commitment to promoting a circular economy through the efficient use of resources,” Mr Sweeney continued. “By maximising the use of secondary materials, the group reduces the demand for primary resources, leading to increased efficiency and improved project costs.”
He also highlighted the group’s nationwide efforts to closely monitor energy consumption, air quality, water usage, emissions and carbon levels across all projects and businesses.
“The goal is to foster solutions that balance economic, environmental and social considerations,” he said, in conclusion. “We thereby create added value for clients, employees, subcontractors and communities.”
