Volvo CE and Heidelberg Materials advance partnership to decarbonize construction

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has advanced its partnership with Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe to decarbonize the construction industry. This collaboration combines cutting-edge digital tools, zero-emission solutions, and close coordination. The partnership recently entered a new phase with the development of a joint roadmap.

Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023, the two companies have been working together to explore and introduce electric solutions for loading and transport activities within Heidelberg Materials' Northern European operations.

This agreement supports Heidelberg Materials in achieving its zero-emission roadmap through tangible actions, adapting to evolving technologies while maintaining productivity and sustainability goals.

A project team of cross-functional experts from the two organizations analyzed Heidelberg's operations at key sites in Brevik in Norway, Slite in Gotland, Skövde, and Bro in Sweden. Using advanced digital tools, the study examined factors such as fuel consumption, material movement, cycle routes, machine types, and operator behaviour.

Based on these insights and guided by Volvo CE Solutions Sales, the team proposed actionable recommendations to reduce emissions while supporting productivity goals. 

"This partnership represents a pioneering approach to decarbonization that puts the customer at the centre. 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," says Carl Slotte, head of region Europe of Volvo CE.

Mapping out the way forward

Setting the blueprint for industry decarbonization represents a new opportunity for 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," says Giv Brantenberg, general manager of Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe. "Strong partnerships like this are key to driving widespread transformation."

Beyond electric

This partnership approach requires transparency and trust from both sides. Heidelberg provided data on quantification, carbon reduction targets, performance requirements, and operational details, while Volvo CE shared knowledge built up over decades of site optimization work.  

Electric machines and charging solutions play a key role in helping to reduce carbon emissions — and Heidelberg Materials has worked with several L120H Electric Conversion wheel loaders — but they are only part of the solution.  

Advisory and digital services, such as site optimization, connected map, and performance indicator help to collect data, measure performance, and identify step-by-step operational improvements, while financial solutions help to enable early adoption of new technologies. Innovative business models are also integral to enabling deployment of zero emission solutions as soon as they are available on the market.

Furthermore, dealers Volvo Maskin in Norway and Swecon in Sweden have been instrumental in the project by equipping machines, delivering them to sites and providing ongoing support throughout. In Norway, additional operator training was also provided.

This partnership illustrates the importance of conducting comprehensive site studies across multiple locations to build knowledge and drive impactful change.

In good company 

Both companies are committed to reducing their climate impact, with Volvo CE aiming to reach net zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Meanwhile, Heidelberg Materials is pioneering large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. Its first CCS facility in Brevik is set to launch in 2025, with a second facility — four times larger — planned for Slite by 2030.

In addition to CCS, electrified transport, infrastructure solutions, and partnerships like this one remain critical priorities for reducing the environmental impact of building material production. Given that the cement and concrete industries are responsible for around eight percent of the planet's carbon emissions, this partnership serves as an example of how to drive decarbonization while aligning with production targets and evolving climate technologies.