Volvo CE partners with CRH to ‘decarbonise’ construction

Zero-emission solutions by Volvo CE and Volvo Trucks on site with CRH company Tarmac

The Volvo Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with building materials company CRH, which will focus on electrification, charging infrastructure, low carbon fuels and renewable energy.

As part of this strategic agreement, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) will take on responsibility for next generation technology deployment, the scaling up of cutting-edge technology and operational efficiency for the off-road segment in a bid to reduce carbon emissions, while maintaining high levels of productivity.

While it is not yet determined which solutions will be included in the scope, it is likely to involve vehicle electrification and charging infrastructure to reduce transport emissions, productivity and sustainability services and the deployment of low-carbon fuels for both on-road and off-road equipment.

CRH manufacture and distribute a diverse range of building materials, products and solutions, which are used in construction projects of all sizes. In 2022 the company had revenue of US$32 billion. 

Volvo CE has previously collaborated with CRH, resulting in the handover of North America’s first machine made using fossil free steel, a Volvo A30G articulated hauler. It is now operating at Pennsy Supply, a CRH company in North America. Another partnership saw the two companies collaborate in a Low Carbon Roads event, where CRH company Tarmac put to work three zero-emission Volvo CE machines on the maintenance of a highway in the UK. The L120H Electric Conversion wheel loader, L25 Electric compact wheel loader and EC230 Electric excavator were tested over three separate days last month.

Melker Jernberg, President of Volvo CE, said, “Partnerships are key to accelerating decarbonization and our collaboration with building materials solutions leader CRH will help both companies to achieve their net-zero ambitions. We move faster and create more impactful change when we work together.”

Volvo CE is targeting 35% fully electric sales by 2030 and aiming to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2040. CRH meanwhile is targeting a 30% reduction in group-wide emissions by 2030 and to become a net-zero business by 2050.