< PreviousEquipment Americas showing off a two-ton, hydrogen-powered wheeled excavator at the show. SUSTAINABLE TECH DISPLAYED Across the show floor, sustainable technologies, products and practices included: Volvo Construction Equipment brought several electric and autonomous pieces to its stand in the Festival Lot, including its EC230 electric excavator pilot, its Zeux autonomous concept wheel loader, and its HX04 prototype hydrogen articulated hauler. Just steps away, Caterpillar featured four battery electric machines as well as a series of prototype batteries for off-road equipment ranging from 48-600 volts. IN ADDITION TO THAT, CONEXPO- CON/AGG ATTENDEES FOUND: Aerial work platform specialists Skyjack had its new SJ120 E on hand, a zero-emissions mast lift with a 30 percent improvement in duty cycle. Asphalt recycling equipment from Pavement Recyclers LLC and VSS Macropaver use different processes for FEATURE PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comAPRIL 2023 20recycling asphalt, keeping it out of landfills. Concrete contractors also got in on the green trend when they checked out Holcim’s ECOPact concrete that can eliminate carbon emissions entirely in some instances. Holcim was also the winner of the inaugural Contractors. THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP One of the biggest sustainability efforts on the part of CONEXPO-CON/AGG directly is a partnership between the show and the Arbor Day Foundation. CONEXPO-CON/ AGG and the Arbor Day Foundation will be planting 139,000 trees, one for every show registrant in a forest of greatest need. Additionally, CONEXPO-CON/ AGG exhibitors, attendees, and fans of the show can contribute to the Arbor Day Foundation’s funds, allow them to further their goal of involving themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees around the globe. CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE also featured a wide range of educational opportunities, including 190 expert-led sessions on topics such as construction safety, equipment technology, and sustainable building practices. “The success of CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE 2023 is a testament to the resilience and strength of the construction and fluid power industries, which have continued to adapt and innovate despite the challenges of the past three years says Marcia Klein, treasurer of Casappa Corp.and show chair of IFPE. He says “They are proud to have provided a platform for industry professionals from around the world to connect, learn, and discover new solutions for improving their businesses and the world we build.” ABOUT CONEXPO-CON/AGG Held every three years, CONEXPO- CON/AGG is the must-attend event for construction industry professionals. The show features the latest equipment, products, services and technologies for the construction industry, as well as industry- leading education. CONEXPO-CON/AGG is owned in partnership with NRMCA, NSSGA, and AEM and managed by AEM. AEM is the North America-based international trade group representing off- CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE 2023 by the Numbers • 3+ million net square feet of exhibits (10.5% larger than 2020). • 139,000+ registered attendees (6% increase over 2020). • 2400+ exhibitors, from 36 countries, including 603 new-to-the-show exhibitors. • 24,000+ international registered attendees from 133 countries. • 91,000+ scans of badges to access the 190 education sessions. • 600+ global media from 33 countries The next CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE will be held March 3-7, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. road equipment manufacturers and suppliers with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry in the United States supports 2.3 million jobs and contributes roughly $316 billion to the economy every year. FEATURE 21 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comAPRIL 2023Kerry Watts from Goo materials, some fabrics, some colts. So when we say that our tires have 63% recyclable materials,” said Watts while revealing besides this, the company has also replaced some petroleum-based materials in our Metro Miler bus tires are made with bio-based soybean oil compounds . These tires are in production today. According to him, while this focus on making tires more environmentally friendly is growing in the big automotive companies and fl eet industry but going forward the real challenge will be how to continue to drive sustainable materials while not impacting performance. “We don’t sacrifi ce performance as we towards sustainability. So that the challenge is how to strike a balance between them,” he said. On challenge from growing popularity electric vehicles (EV) he said, EVs are heavy and this additional weight comes with challenges. As compared to internal combustion engines, EVs have much greater torque. The immediate force that goes from putting the foot on the accelerator into the drive train and then to the wheels is very very diff erent. The compounds that are used to make electric vehicle tires need to have that much tenacity to handle. “We already have products with these applications.” He revealed that you cannot have the same size tire to fi t into electric vehicles, loads are diff erent, dimensions are diff erent and performance characteristics are also diff erent. On the future of the electrifi cation trend, he said, “I think the electrifi cation trend within the automotive industry has to be understood in the bigger scheme of things – the drive towards sustainability.” G oodyear Tire & Rubber Company, which recently unveiled a demonstration truck tire made with 63% sustainable-material content, will focus more on sustainability as a part of their overall program to help the automotive industry to reduce carbon emissions. In an exclusive interview to PMV Middle East Kerry Watts director of Truck PBU - emerging markets at Goodyear said, “Tires as a part of the automotive industry is very much linked to carbon emissions. They account for around one-third of the total carbon emissions contributed by the global automotive industry. He explained that tires contribute in two ways to the sustainability initiative, the fi rst one is how they are manufactured and the second is how they are used. “Tires we see now are the result of some 125 years of scientifi c research, a lot of them into polymer sciences, and in a very very specifi c way that act,” Watts said while adding natural rubber used to be a major component in tires, particularly truck tires, not anymore, now oil- based derivatives and chemicals have replaced the natural rubber to great extent. “Now the tires got some natural rubber, some silica, some petrochemical-based SUSTAINABILITY TO DRIVE GROWTH: KERRY WATTS INTERVIEW 22 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comAPRIL 2023SPIERINGS MOBILE CRANES DISCONTINUES CONVENTIONAL DIESEL EQUIPMENTS N etherlands-based Spierings Mobile Cranes has decided to stop building and selling conventional diesel cranes. Following this, the Osse crane manufacturer will only produce sustainable hybrid models, “This makes Spierings the fi rst company in the world to exclusively build cranes that hoist entirely electrically, Spierings said in a statement. According to the company, now its latest model ‘SK487-AT3 City Boy’ crane can also run fully electric, this allows a complete reduction of local emissions. “This electric crane enables emission-free work in any city,” the statement noted. Spierings explained that the strong growth in hybrid cranes business along with the increased consumer awareness about emissions and climate changes are primary reasons behind the company's decision to focus more on envirnomentally friendly products. Commenting on the development, CEO Koos Spierings said, “ The electrifi cation of the construction site can only succeed if the manufacturer leads the way. Our domestic customers already realise that this is the future.” He added, "The company’s foreign customers will take some adjustment, but we are sure they will soon see the benefi ts of this decision as well. Eventually, conventional diesel cranes will die out." LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES Spierings’ hybrid tower cranes are equipped with lithium-ion batteries. This makes them suitable for emission-free operation at any construction site. For emergencies, the crane is equipped with a small 3-cylinder Stage V diesel engine. To date, Spierings Mobile Cranes has already delivered more than 150 electric cranes, better known as eLift. INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY The benefi ts of emission-free operation are obvious, Spierings states. ‘No CO2 emissions, no noise pollution, but undiminished power. And even if the operator nevertheless needs to make use of the small diesel engine. Then fuel consumption is still very low. This demonstrates that good entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. Spierings continues to develop the hybrid technology. Thus, all current cranes can operate emission- free, powered by a 16 A construction site power connection. Spierings claims it is also the only manufacturer to supply cranes with a 33 kWh lithium-ion battery pack straight from the factory.The Osse-based company’s cranes are used in more than 30 countries, mainly by crane rental and construction companies. The cranes are developed and manufactured entirely in the Netherlands. It also claims that several governments are promoting the zero-emission equipment by giving crane rental companies an extra support by off ering a tax advantages. IN FUTURE SPIERINGS WILL ONLY PRODUCE HYBRID OR PURE ELECTRIC MODELS MAKING IT THE FIRST CRANE MANUFACTURER TO ABANDON REGULAR DIESEL POWERED MODELS 23 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comAPRIL 2023 CRANESEXCAVATORS POPULAR AT RITCHIE BROS’ DUBAI AUCTIONS A s a result of strong participation from international buyers, Ritchie Bros, the global asset management and disposition company, witnessed a 24% increase in excavators sales during its 2022 auctions, which were primarily held online at its Dubai site. The company announced that its March auction presents another large line up of excavators to bid on. The Vancouver-based fi rm claims that the demand for used equipment and heavy gear would remain high in the fi rst quarter of 2023 due to a constrained supply of new equipment and increased productivity in the construction industry. “Continuing eff ects of chip shortages, manufacturing delays and other market conditions underpin the demand for used and near-new equipment from buyers located around the world, Ritchie Bros said. As more equipment buyers around the world turn to used equipment to meet their fl eet management needs, Ritchie Bros’ auctions in Dubai attracted strong online attendance, with over 1,000 bidders from 69 countries participating in the company’s most recent January online auction. The UAE, Kuwait, India, the USA, and Uganda were the top purchasing nations. But, the most recent sale also attracted registrants from Canada and the Netherlands, among other countries, showing that online auctions are generally well-liked by foreign buyers, the company said. Among all the equipment and vehicles off ered for sale, excavators stood out as an equipment category in 2022, with a 24% increase in volumes compared to 2021. At the same time, buyer demand increased; on average, 15% more bids were placed on excavators sold in Dubai. Now, the company is gearing up for its next online auction in Dubai on March 21–22, 2023. An opportunity for businesses looking to dispose of assets easily and for equipment- hungry buyers from all over the world. With bidding having opened on March 14, buyer interest is turning to current inventory with nearly 1,200+ items of heavy equipment and machinery, including 90+ hydraulic excavators, of which 57 are unused, as well as fi ve featured picks by the Ritchie Bros team: a 2021 CAT 336GC, a 2009 Komatsu PC1250-8R, an unused 2022 Hyundai R340L, an unused 2022 Volvo EC300DL, and an unused 2022 Hitachi ZAXIS 200-5G, Richi Bros said. Other remarkable items featured in the auction inventory include three Eco-Smart 2021 Komatsu PC350LC-8M0 excavators featuring low fuel consumption, 4-cylinder engines with common-rail injection technology, work modes, and low fuel consumption guidance displayed on monitors. An interesting option for eco-minded company executives. All this is in addition to Ritchie Bros’ usual wide range of machinery category off erings: mini excavators, forklifts, cranes; SUVs, skid steer loaders, wheel loaders, rock trucks, articulated dump trucks, and more. 24 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comAPRIL 2023 AUCTIONVOLVO DELIVERS FIRST HEAVY ELECTRIC TRUCK TO AFRICA T rucking major Vovlo has announced that it has made the delivery of its fi rst heavy electric truck in the city of Rabat in Morocco. Deployment of heavy electric trucks is now spreading across the world following the developments in Eurpe and the US, where the shift to more sustainable transport is kicking off , Volvo wrote in a statement. The series-produced, zero-exhaust emission truck will be used for collecting waste by the company Arma in Rabat. By replacing the existing Volvo FE diesel truck with a Volvo FE electric on a typical route, approximately 30 tonnes of CO2 could be saved every year, the statement noted. Commenting on the development, Martin Nilsson, managing director of Volvo Trucks Morocco said, “This is a proud moment when we take the fi rst step to more sustainable, electric transport in Morocco and Africa together with our customer Arma and the city of Rabat.” He said, this clearly shows that zero-emissions trucks have a role to play in many parts of the world. Volvo is the fi rst global brand with heavy electric trucks in commercial operation in Africa. We have the broadest electric truck line up in the industry, which makes it possible to electrify a large part of heavy transports already today. Morocco has ambitious climate goals, based on large investments in renewable energy. The country is a leader in solar power and home to the world’s biggest concentrated solar power facility, Noor Quarzazate, located 200 km southeast of Marrakech. The truck is a Volvo FE Electric, one of six all-electric Volvo truck models, already in serial production. Volvo Trucks has the broadest line-up of electric trucks available for commercial transports. The company’s global target is that in 2030, 50% of all new trucks it sells will be electric. Youssef Ahizoune, CEO of Arma group, said, “We are proud to be the fi rst company in the waste management sector in Morocco and in Africa to have chosen to invest in sustainable mobility in cooperation with Volvo Trucks.” He explained, “By taking a step towards the electrifi cation of our truck fl eet, Arma is reducing its carbon footprint, showing one more time our commitment to the environment. Our intentions are clear: we will continue investing in innovations that help reduce emissions and benefi t the environment while supporting our customers in meeting their own sustainability goals.” 25 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comAPRIL 2023 TRUCKSC ummins Inc has showcased its new fuel-agnostic 15-litre engine platform with hydrogen, natural gas and advanced diesel engines offering low-to-zero carbon fuel capability. The company has designed the next generation engine to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy-duty off-highway applications and its has a clean sheet design that points to the future of diesel: more capability with less environmental impact, Cummins wrote in a statement. The new engine is a clean sheet design that points to the future of diesel: more capability with less environmental impact. Its high power density sets the standards for heavy-duty performance in key off-road applications including excavators, wheel loaders, drilling rigs, road planning, milling CUMMINS FUEL- AGNOSTIC ENGING PLATFORM DELIVERS LOW-TO-ZERO CARBON FUEL CAPABILITY machines, haul trucks and air compressors. Innovatively designed hardware provides lower weight with maximum engine durability, even when working on the most challenging jobs. Its high power density sets the standards for heavy-duty performance in key off-road applications including excavators, wheel loaders, drilling rigs, road planning, milling machines, haul trucks and air compressors, the statement noted. “Innovatively designed hardware provides lower weight with maximum engine durability, even when working on the most challenging jobs,” the company said. Commenting on the development, Antonio Leitao, VP global off-highway engine business, said, “Cummins’ all-new platform takes internal combustion to a new Cummins new engine. TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE 26 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comAPRIL 2023level, capable of meeting future ultra-low emission standards, such as EPA tier 5 and EU stage 6, together with a low-to-zero carbon fuel capability to help put construction and quarrying sites on a lower cost path to decarbonisation.” “The 15-liter has a significant increase in power density with a more compact installation envelope providing equipment manufacturers with the capability to do more with their machines,” said Leitao. A key design feature of the new platform is a Double-Overhead-Camshaft (DOHC) realizing significant advances in combustion and thermal efficiency. Friction losses across the engine design have also been reduced and a sculpted block contributes to weight saving. The DOHC design also enables a more efficient integral engine brake to be accommodated. The fuel-agnostic architecture of the 15-litre platform utilises a common base engine with cylinder heads and fuel systems specifically tailored for it to use carbon-free hydrogen or biogas with up to a 90% carbon reduction. Cummins’ 15-litre hydrogen has ratings up to 530 hp (395 kW) and natural gas up to 510 hp (380 kW). The advanced diesel version can use either sustainable HVO fuel or biodiesel with ratings up to 650 hp (485 kW) for the most demanding off-highway duty-cycles. NEXT GENERATION 15-LITER ENGINE The 15-litre hydrogen engine with direct- injection, lean-burn combustion will be available with ratings from 400-to-530 hp (298-395 kW) and a peak torque of 2600 Nm. Running on zero-carbon green hydrogen, it can use a 700-bar pressure high-capacity fuel storage system for maximum operating hours between refueling. The 15-liter advanced diesel features Cummins latest XPI ultra-high pressure fuel injection system and will offer a broad power range of 450-to-675 hp (335-503 kW) with an impressive 3000 Nm peak torque. Using B100 biodiesel enables up to a 70% reduction in carbon and using HVO renewable fuel achieves up to a 90% eduction. For applications powered by renewable biogas, the 15-liter natural gas will offer ratings extending from 400-to-510 hp (298-380 kW) with a peak torque of 2500 nm available. Very low noise is a further benefit of this engine, particularly for when operating in urban areas, the company said. “Moving forward, our aim is to offer the same agnostic capability across the next- generation of our current 6.7 litre and 9 litre engine platforms,”concluded Leitao. ABOUT CUMMINS The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions to components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolysers and fuel cell products. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 73,600 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment, and equality of opportunity. Cummins 15 liter Hydrogen engine. TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE 27 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comAPRIL 2023Boliden’s mines. The company is committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by 40 % by 2030, and for Boliden to achieve its climate goals, electrifi cation of transport will play a critical role. “This is an exciting collaboration in an environment with very tough demands; steep slopes, heavy loads and humid air that wears on the vehicles,” said Jessica Lindholm, project manager at Volvo Trucks. He explained, “The collaboration with Boliden will give us valuable knowledge about the performance of electric trucks when driven underground, and provide answers to questions about how the driveline and batteries are aff ected. Reduced carbon dioxide emissions for mining transport also means that we, indirectly, will reduce our own CO2 emissions, because the mining industry’s raw materials are used in our trucks.” The fi rst truck to serve the Kankberg mine, a Volvo FH Electric, will be used to transport rock bolts and other equipment down into the mine and will be put into service in 2023. Based on the experience with the fi rst truck, another Volvo FH Electric will later be put into operation and used for underground transport of rock and ore. Commenting on the development, Dennis Forslund, project manager at Boliden, “We see the collaboration with Volvo as a fantastic opportunity to push the electric technology forward and at the same time learn how to adapt our operations for a transition to fossil- free underground transport. A major benefi t of the trucks is that they will contribute to a more sustainable mine, both in terms of emissions and also the working environment for our employees.” Volvo Trucks off ers the industry’s widest range of electric trucks, with six electric truck models in series production, and is the market leader in heavy electric trucks in Europe and the USA. The company’s electric trucks can cover many diff erent transport needs, ranging from urban distribution and refuse disposal to regional transport and construction traffi c. Volvo’s goal is that 50% of its new trucks sold in 2030 should be electric. T he Swedish mining group Boliden is becoming one of the fi rst in the world to start using battery-electric trucks for heavy underground transport starting 2023. The new cooperation agreement between Boliden and Volvo Trucks means that two heavy, electric Volvo trucks will be used in Boliden’s Kankberg mine, outside Skellefteå in northern Sweden. “If all trucks in the mine were to be electric, the CO2 emissions from the mine could be reduced by more than 25%,” Volvo said in a statement. In mining environments, the electric trucks can deliver several big advantages – including no exhaust emissions, a safer workplace, and quieter working conditions. According to the statement, the mining industry is going through a period of rapid change, with many players shifting to more sustainable production methods to provide metals with a lower climate footprint. Just like in many other mines, exhaust gases from diesel vehicles are responsible for the majority of the carbon dioxide emissions from VOLVO AND BOLIDEN TO JOINTLY DEVELOP ELECTRIC TRUCK FOR MINING MINING 28 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comAPRIL 2023FIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE CIRCULARITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST’S CONSTRUCTION SECTOR Karim Shariff , EMEA head of construction Bain & Company B uilding construction contributes signifi cantly to the world’s emissions and material footprints, accounting for about 40% of each. Most emissions associated with buildings result from their operations, primarily heating and cooling. But the embedded emissions in building materials still account for 28% of construction-related emissions. Improving circularity in construction will be necessary to reduce the sector’s emissions and materials footprint. It is a global challenge and is particularly critical in regions experiencing rapid population growth and urban migration, which together generate signifi cant demand for new construction. While emissions-reduction eff orts will understandably focus on low-carbon technologies such as green steel and CO2- injected concrete to deliver against net-zero goals, the industry will also need to reduce the need for virgin, raw materials. One way to reduce that demand is to ensure the best use of end-of-life materials-that is, material that can be reused or recycled when buildings are renovated or deconstructed. Because these materials are scarce, the sector is also developing innovative new materials and working to secure access to recycled materials from other sectors. The shift to greater circularity will have a disruptive eff ect on the industry, especially on the makers of construction materials. Most of these companies are setting goals and putting pilot programs in place to explore ways to make the sector more circular. The pressure on incumbents comes not only from regulators and customers, but also from new entrants are also fi nding footholds in alternative materials and new services and business models. Incumbent leaders should watch these disrupters carefully while companies implement the following fi ve tactical strategies to improve their circularity. NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION TO A MORE CIRCULAR SECTOR Players in the construction industry, specifi cally building materials companies, should take a proactive approach to make the most of the shift to a low-carbon economy. Our experience working with companies in this sector suggests that the companies out in front are guided by three principles that help them navigate the transition. • Anticipate the circular materials disruption. The shift to circular materials, driven by policies, regulations, and consumer demand, will disrupt the construction sector. By now, most building materials companies are positioning themselves to make the most of opportunities by investing in new materials, technologies, or services. • Use circularity as a commercial selling point. Because greener and more circular materials can help customers reduce their own emissions, they off er savings that most customers should be willing to pay a premium for. But materials companies have not always priced their products appropriately to capture those premiums. By focusing on customer segments that place a high value on circularity benefi ts and by quantifying the value delivered to customers, materials makers can determine the right price and margins. • Secure cost-competitive access to circular materials. Because buildings have such long lives, the volume of inputs needed for new construction far outweighs the volume of materials that can be salvaged from buildings at the end of their useful lives. Builders and makers of construction materials will want to secure access to end-of-life materials as early as possible to minimize exposure to infl ation and scarcity. Historically, the construction industry has been slow to adopt new technologies and processes that deliver productivity gains. But that is changing quickly: Construction and building technology are among the hottest draws for venture capital, and the industry is rapidly adopting digitization. The industry is also pushing forward new technologies and product innovations to boost sustainability in a broader context, thereby reducing the environmental footprint of buildings in general. After many years, the construction industry is fi nally showing that it can become more tech savvy and greener. By Karim Shariff PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comAPRIL 2023 OPINION 29Next >