Diesel engine emissions (dme) must now be reduced even for engines up to 19 kw

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PRODUCT NEWS

Heleen Kommers, Monday 1 September 2025

154 sec

Intrak: 'Do you let your lungs do the work, or do you use a filter?'

At the end of 2023, Intrak delivered twelve new Caterpillar (CAT) mini-excavators with diesel engines. In the same week, the Labor Inspectorate stated that diesel-powered vehicles and machines must be phased out to protect workers from carcinogenic diesel engine emissions (DME). 'That is why we use a steel soot filter to meet the standards when switching to electric is not possible,' says director Jeroen van de Ven. 'This way, companies can continue working responsibly without unnecessarily exposing people to excessive harmful soot particles.'

Jeroen van de Ven with a clean HJS soot filter (left) and one that ran for 22 hours

'Originally, emissions had to be reduced for environmental reasons. Lighter diesel engines up to 19 kW were exempt, but we now know that the emissions also pose health risks for operators. And that is the main concern now. Therefore, these engines must also comply. They are used in countless commonly operated machines. Think of plate compactors, forklifts, wheel loaders, or mini-excavators. Essentially, all these machines can no longer be used without additional measures. In principle, diesel engines must be replaced with an electric alternative. If that is not technically feasible, the employer must justify in their Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E) why this is not possible at that time. Only then may technical measures be taken.' Such technical measures already exist, but it starts with awareness: Anyone working with diesel machines may be inhaling soot particles daily—often without realizing it.

Phasing out over the next ten years

Cumela strongly protested, as the consequences for many companies are significant. However, the Labor Inspectorate pointed to a European directive that they were merely implementing. Still, the standard does cause problems. Van de Ven continues: 'In the Netherlands alone, about 1,500 to 2,000 mini-excavators are sold annually. With an average lifespan of fifteen years, that amounts to around 30,000 mini-excavators currently in use. If all of them had to be replaced with electric machines at once, work would grind to a halt. No manufacturer could handle that, and charging infrastructure is often lacking. That is why we say: Start with filtering where electrification is not possible. That way, you protect people and buy time.'

The directive is not about environmental requirements but about working conditions

Developed with HJS

And that brings us to the steel soot filter that Intrak developed together with HJS. 'This exhaust system manufacturer already began developing soot filters in the 1990s, because air quality in German city centers was deteriorating. The filter is made of steel and is VERT-certified.' VERT stands for Verified Emission Reduction Technologies and is an international standard for diesel particulate filter systems. The filters available so far were made of paper or composite. Paper has to be replaced, and composite can melt. 'With steel, however, there is no fire risk, and the filter can be cleaned with a hot water cleaner at a wash station.' For operators, this mainly means fewer concerns about safety and health, without immediately needing a new machine.

20 operating hours and 75 grams of soot

The filter comes with two cassettes, so when one is saturated with soot, a spare is available. 'A filter must be cleaned after thirty to forty operating hours, which is not comparable to a battery machine that needs recharging after three to four hours. As the filter gradually fills up, the engine becomes slightly restricted, as it cannot expel exhaust gases as easily, leading to reduced power. A pressure gauge monitors this, but there is no risk of engine damage.' For operators, little changes in daily use, but the air they breathe becomes much cleaner.

'That suddenly makes it clear where the standard comes from'

That became evident during the TKD event. 'We tested the soot filter on a mini-excavator with a Stage V engine under 19 kW, and the results were impressive. The machine only ran for 20 hours. We then weighed the filter and compared it with a clean one. What did we find? The filter captured about 75 grams of soot, which is an astonishing amount. That is soot that would otherwise have entered the air—or your lungs—unnoticed. That suddenly makes it clear where the standard comes from. So aside from enforcement: When you see what such a filter prevents, it seems a better choice to use our filter instead of your lungs.' Many self-employed workers at the event agreed. 'They were shocked by the amount of soot. For them, illness not only means inconvenience but also immediate loss of income. A filter is then a small investment with major benefits.'

The HJS soot filters

This article was first published on August 26, 2025 on the Stad + Groen website.

Intrak B.V.

CUMELA

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