CRH, a global leader in building materials solutions, and Volvo Group, the leader in transport and infrastructure solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate net zero innovations in the design and deployment of on-road vehicles and off-road equipment used in construction with a focus on next-generation technology deployment, scaling cutting-edge technology and operational efficiency.
Both organisations are on ambitious journeys to reduce emissions. Volvo Group’s target is to have 35% fully electric sales by 2030 and be net zero in its value chain by 2040. CRH is targeting a 30% reduction in group-wide emissions by 2030 and to become a net zero business by 2050. CRH is a leading building materials solutions business in North America and Europe with operations in 29 countries and has been a long-standing key customer of many Volvo Group companies.
From the extraction and processing of raw materials, to transport across the supply chain, to the point of use in construction, there are many types of equipment and vehicles in use across CRH, and many opportunities to drive down emissions. CRH, through its Innovation Centre for Sustainable Construction, will provide its expertise to identify opportunities to maximise the value of sustainable innovation in construction. Volvo Group’s brands – Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks, Mack Trucks and Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) – will contribute with their expertise in sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions to the partnership.
Both companies have previously successfully collaborated on projects for both on-road and off-road segments of the CRH business. This includes the first fully electric concrete mixer in the UK, developed by Renault Trucks and deployed by Tarmac, a CRH Company, and the introduction of the first Volvo FM Electric truck in France operated on behalf of Eqiom, a CRH Company.
Melker Jernberg, President of Volvo CE, who will lead Volvo Group’s off-road partnership team, said: “Partnerships are key to accelerating decarbonisation and our collaboration with building materials solutions leader CRH will help both companies to achieve their net zero ambitions.”