Volvo, Siemens and Metzner partner in world’s first all-electric deconstruction

Volvo Group, Siemens and Metzner Recycling have collaborated in the world’s first full-scale, all-electric deconstruction project located in Erlangen, Germany.

In collaboration with demolition specialists, Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) and Metzner supplied a fleet of all-electric midsize and grid-connected construction machines for the approximately 882,866-cubic-feet site, which is part of Siemens’ $586.8 million Technology Campus development. Volvo Trucks supplied electric trucks enabling materials transport and fully emission-free operations. 

The electric machines also aided in sorting and processing approximately 25.6 million pounds of construction waste, according to Volvo, 96 percent of which were recycled into raw materials.

“At Siemens Real Estate, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable construction and demolition,” says Christian Franz, head of sustainability at Siemens Real Estate. “This groundbreaking electric deconstruction project boasts an impressive 96 percent recycling rate and is a testament to our commitment to achieving excellence in sustainability. Through strong collaboration and innovative thinking, the team has achieved exceptional results that directly support our company’s ambitious sustainability targets. This project illustrates how partnerships and determination can create a lasting impact and help shape a more sustainable real estate industry.”

Volvo says it hopes the initiative will serve as a future model for collaboration between contractors, local energy providers, original equipment manufacturers and real estate stakeholders.

“The fact that we have now taken the first major step towards an all-electric, low emission dismantling site as a technical standard is a huge success for us—the Metzner team—and our clients,” Metzner Recycling Managing Director Michael Metzner says. “Electric equipment could unlock urban projects currently held back by noise and pollution concerns.”

To learn more about the project, visit the Volvo CE website.

“Our transformation is no longer a vision, but a reality,” says Therese Schmitz-Hillebrecht, head of market area Central Europe at Volvo CE. “We don’t just develop electric construction machines—we accompany our partners on the path to an emission-free future. The fact that companies like Metzner and Siemens are joining us on this path is a strong sign.”