Holcim has charging systems for heavy construction machinery installed
Holcim states that GreenWay has already equipped four locations with charging stations and that three further locations are in the planning stage. Each charging point offers a charging capacity of up to 400 kW, with Holcim estimating the total capacity of the infrastructure put into operation to date at 1.3 MW. There are firm plans to increase this figure to 3 MW. The company emphasises that the resulting loaders are intended exclusively for electric machines such as wheel loaders, excavators and tippers.
According to the partners, the project focussing on Poland started this year and GreenWay is responsible for the overall solution – from the technical review and concept development to the preparation of the necessary planning documents, the construction of power connections and transformer stations through to the delivery, installation and commissioning of the charging stations – and their subsequent operation.
“As the charging infrastructure is used intensively and under very demanding conditions, the proper installation and ongoing management of the charging stations is of great importance,” emphasises client Holcim. The charging stations are installed in dust-tight containers on special foundations. The power supply systems are also equipped with liquid cooling. The entire project has been designed to maximise safety. Press photos show that the satellite chargers are hardware from Kempower.
“Implementing a project in such difficult conditions as mines, grinding plants, or cement plants is a completely different challenge than our daily implementations – even those carried out in factories or logistics centers,” commented Aleksander Czapczyk, Chief Commercial Officer of the GreenWay Group. “Good technology is not enough. We need solutions that are resistant to extreme conditions and comply with rigorous safety procedures. This is an important direction in which electromobility is developing – after logistics, we are entering heavy industry, where solutions that have simply not been available on the market before are needed.”
Michał Głowacki, General Manager of Aggregates at Holcim Polska, added: “Reducing emissions in our operations isn’t just a matter of ambition, but of a specific action plan that we’re implementing step by step.” The electrification of the fleet and the development of a dedicated infrastructure are important elements of this plan. “We wanted reliable solutions that would perform well in a demanding work environment while also being ready for further development. That’s why we chose to partner with GreenWay.”
Holcim is one of the major players in the building materials industry with a presence in 45 countries and around 48,000 employees. The Group is listed on the Swiss stock exchange and produces cement, concrete and aggregates, among other things. The company has long been open to alternative drive systems. At the beginning of 2024, Holcim announced its intention to add 1,000 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks to its fleet. The company had previously ordered 130 FM Electric and FH Electric electric trucks from Volvo Trucks. This was the first instalment of a framework agreement for up to 1,000 electric trucks by 2030.
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