Heidelberg Materials and Volvo advance partnership to decarbonize construction
The partnership between Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe has taken the next step by introducing electrified solutions to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining high productivity. The project demonstrates the potential to reduce emissions in the construction industry through a holistic approach that combines advanced digital tools, zero-emission solutions and close collaboration.
Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Volvo Group in 2023, the two companies have been working together to explore and subsequently introduce electric solutions for loading and transport activities within Heidelberg Materials' operations in Northern Europe.
Having completed a comprehensive site study, the collaboration has now entered a new phase where a joint roadmap has been formulated.
A project team of cross-functional experts from the two organisations has analysed Heidelberg Materials' operations at its sites in Brevik, Norway, and Slite, Skövde and Bro, Sweden. Using advanced digital tools, they examined factors such as fuel consumption, material movement, transport routes, machine types and operator behaviour.
Based on these insights, the team has proposed concrete recommendations to reduce emissions while supporting productivity targets.
Mapping the way forward
The project represents a new form of close collaboration between companies to identify areas for improvement and integrate solutions seamlessly over time.
“The collaboration with Volvo CE has provided us with important knowledge and input for the design of our zero-emission roadmap, identifying measures to be implemented over time and how to scale these up across our businesses and product lines. Strong partnerships like this one are key to driving widespread transformation” says Giv Brantenberg, General Manager Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe.
Carl Slotte, Head of Region Europe at Volvo CE:
” This partnership represents a pioneering approach to decarbonization that puts the customer at the center. No customer is ever the same as another so we must be flexible and innovative in our approach if we are to accelerate our industry’s transformation. We demonstrate that actions can be taken in the here and now, while also setting the direction for the future, based on our own evolving solution portfolio”.
Beyond electrification
The collaboration involves transparency and trust from both sides. Heidelberg Materials has provided quantitative data, carbon reduction targets, performance requirements and operational details, while Volvo CE has shared knowledge built up over decades of work on site optimisation.
Electric machines and charging solutions are only part of the solution. Consultancy and digital services help to collect data, measure performance and identify incremental improvements to operations, while financial solutions help to enable early adoption of new technologies.
Climate transition aligned with production targets
Both companies are committed to reducing their climate impact, with Volvo CE aiming to reach zero net greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain by 2040.
Heidelberg Materials is at the forefront of decarbonising the cement industry, with initiatives such as the world's first large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant to be commissioned in Brevik in 2025, and a further planned CCS plant in Slite four times larger, scheduled for 2030.
Alongside CCS technology, electrified transport and infrastructure solutions, as well as collaborations with partners such as Volvo, remain priority areas to minimise the overall environmental impact of building materials production.
The collaboration has the potential to serve as an example to other industry players on how to drive the climate transition while adapting to production targets and evolving climate technologies.
In the picture: Fredrik Tjernström Electromobility Solutions Sales Manager, Volvo CE and Marie Apelgren, Quarry Manager at the cement plant in Skövde.
