by business editor Trevor Sturgess

A fast-growing firm that saves truckers fuel and money has followed up an Australian licensing deal with another in Eastern Europe.

The latest agreement will enable its fuel-saving technology to be manufactured, sold and installed in the Baltic States.

Oil Drum, based at the University of Kent in Canterbury - a stakeholder in the business - has awarded an exclusive licence to European renewable energy company UAB Hydro2.

The deal will allow UAB Hydro2 to manufacture, sell and install the Save-Fuel On Demand Hydrogen Technology for the truck, bus and coach industries in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Oil Drum’s invention cuts consumption by more than 10 per cent and also reduces CO2 and hydrocarbon emissions.

The patented Save-Fuel system is attached to a truck or bus and powered by the vehicle's own power source.

The retro-fit device reduces fuel consumption by adding hydrogen, produced by electrolysis, into the engine via the air intake of the vehicle before the combustion process.

As a result the engine burns fuel more efficiently and produces less particulate emissions and reduces the vehicles’ environmental impact.

UAB Hydro2 has opened a factory in Kaunas, Lithuania, to manufacture the system.

Oil Drum’s managing director Darryl Watts said: "UAB Hydro2 is a great partner for Oil Drum. Their forward thinking attitude towards the renewable energy market ensures that both companies are working towards the same goals.

"The Baltic States sits at a major crossroads between Europe and Russia and therefore has a major freight haulage industry."

Tomas Balnys, director of UAB Hydro2, added: "With Oil Drum’s assistance, we are already looking at expanding our distribution facility to enable us to supply the Save Fuel On Demand Hydrogen Generators to another potential licensee whose territories include the Ukraine and Kazakhstan. We are also developing an opportunity in Russia."