Construction

The pump's HEX@TM controller offers additional savings potential. (Image source: Atlas Copco)

Isola, located in Notodden in southern Norway, provides environmentally friendly products for the construction industry.

The company produces insulation materials, roofing membranes, wind protection, and sealing products. Given that the construction sector accounts for about 40% of global CO2 emissions, reducing harmful emissions with such building materials is crucial. Efficient production processes also play a significant role in combating climate change.

Until recently, two roots vacuum pumps were the core of these rough vacuum applications. "However, the disadvantage of these roots pumps was their high energy consumption: up to 90% of the energy used was lost via the waste heat from the motor," said Ulf Strand, factory manager at Isola in Notodden.

This prompted Isola to overhaul its production process and transition the vacuum supply to two oil-sealed, speed-controlled screw vacuum pumps: the GHS 2002 VSD+ with HEX@TM control from Atlas Copco. One of the key benefits of this system for the aforementioned applications is its energy recovery capability.

Intelligent resource management with advanced controller

"Since the changeover, the manufacturer has been able to recover three quarters of the heat loss via hot water by means of recuperation and utilise it productively in the process," summarises Roy Mikalsen, the responsible account manager at Atlas Copco.

The pump's HEX@TM controller offers additional savings potential: this control system allows precise adjustment of the speed to match the required vacuum level. This is particularly beneficial in applications where the vacuum demand varies significantly depending on the process and time of day. As a result, unnecessary vacuum performance is eliminated, and energy wastage is minimised, greatly enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.

Smart functionalities via user interface

Other features are also advantageous for Isola: with the Industry 4.0 capabilities of the GHS VSD+ series, the vacuum system status can be monitored at any time via smartphones or PCs. Additionally, users can start and stop the system or adjust the setpoint as needed through the configurable user interface.

"This allows the vacuum pumps to be configured even more specifically and sustainably for the respective applications," summarised Roy Mikalsen. Other optional functions include intelligent scheduling, pump-down optimisation and leak detection.

The collaboration focuses on integrating green technologies. (Image source: SGC International)

SCG International has signed an MoU with BUNA to introduce sustainable construction tech in Saudi Arabia.

This partnership will establish showrooms in key regions for the sale and distribution of SCG's building materials and supports SCG International's strategic expansion in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The collaboration focuses on integrating green technologies in the construction sector, like Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), Ready Mix Concrete, and 3D Printing to reduce environmental impact.

Potential for growth

Through their collaborative efforts, SCG International and BUNA are establishing new benchmarks in the industry, showcasing how strategic alliances can play a crucial role in achieving global sustainability objectives. This initiative not only demonstrates the potential for industrial innovation to foster eco-friendly building practices but also emphasises the significance of international cooperation in tackling environmental issues.

Abhijit Datta, head of International Business and managing director of SCG International, said, "We hope that this cooperation leverages SCG's capabilities in innovation and construction technologies, partnering together with BUNA, a key major player in the Saudi Arabian construction space. Together we hope to lay the foundation for a future where technologies and partnerships will help transform the way buildings are constructed. Moreover, we aim to leverage BUNA's capabilities to collaborate with us in Thailand and ASEAN countries. This MoU is a testament to our joint commitment to innovation and sustainable technology, and I hope that we will have a very strong collaboration moving forward."

"I am delighted that Buna Al Mamlaka has joined forces with SCG International. While the results may not be immediately visible, we are confident that utilising SCG's technology will enhance our competitive capabilities in the Saudi Arabian market. This collaboration will not only improve our projects but also showcase green construction technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aligning with KSA's 2030 vision." said Eslam M. Radwan, CEO of Buna Al Mamlaka.

Emissions from the use phase of an electric machine are reduced by up to 95%. (Image source: Volvo CE)

Volvo CE is committed to leading the industry's decarbonisation efforts and is publishing its Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) reports.

These reports provide essential data that help customers understand their total emissions and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, Volvo CE is sharing its PCF methodology on its website, demonstrating how data can drive significant change. By doing so, Volvo CE offers a proven framework to collectively advance towards global and national climate goals.

The detailed methodology, created by Volvo CE's experts, examines the carbon footprint of every stage of a product’s life cycle, including both traditional and electric machines. It covers all steps from raw material extraction, component manufacturing, and machine assembly to recycling and end-of-life. This methodology is grounded in two global standards: the ISO standard for Life Cycle Assessment and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

Net-zero practices

The data is compiled into a report for each product, providing a clear baseline for decarbonisation efforts. This information is crucial for customers when selecting equipment for their projects and for Volvo CE's goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2040. Achieving this goal requires consistent, long-term actions from all stakeholders in the value chain. This tool helps measure progress and guide decisions that drive meaningful action.

Rickard Alm, head of the life cycle assessment (LCA) programme at Volvo CE, said, “Customers are now rightly looking with absolute scrutiny at carbon performance – on a par with other considerations like cost and quality. With our Product Carbon Footprint reports, we are making it easier to have quick access to the information needed and enabling them to act on their decarbonisation ambitions.

“We are proud to be at the forefront with the most extensive PCF analysis available today in the construction industry to ensure the right choices are made now to deliver on our sustainable transformation.”

New catalogue

The Volvo CE LCA programme is continuously evolving, with an expanding number of Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) reports prioritised based on sales volume. Customers can visit the Volvo CE website to download PCF reports on conventional articulated haulers, wheel loaders, and excavators, as well as selected electric models like the ECR25 Electric and EC230 Electric excavators.

The reports indicate that electric machines are more sustainable over their entire life cycle compared to diesel counterparts.

“Depending on the energy mix used to charge the batteries, the emissions from the use phase of an electric machine are reduced by up to 95%,” says Rickard. “While battery manufacturing results in a higher carbon footprint for electric machines during the production phase, when compared to diesel, overall carbon emissions for an electric machine are still reduced 80-90% over the entire life cycle.”

The LCA programme is part of Volvo CE's broader sustainability strategy, which includes using low-carbon materials and transitioning to fossil fuel-free drivelines, such as those in its range of electric machines and charging solutions.

The methodology behind these reports is brand-agnostic and available for other OEMs to explore and implement. As new regulations come into effect, the calculations within the methodology will be reviewed to ensure accuracy.

Saudi Arabia’s construction market is expected to reach US$91.36bn by 2029. (Image source: Trimble)

Trimble, a company in construction technology, is set to impact the construction industry in the GCC region ahead of Riyadh Expo 2030. With its range of solutions, the company is contributing to the development of projects in the region. Various construction companies are expected to use Trimble's solutions, as the company works to integrate its technologies into the GCC region’s construction market.

Using its experience in connected construction and Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology, Trimble has influenced the standards of large-scale construction project execution and completion. The company’s range of software services includes Tekla Structures, Tekla Structural Designer, Tekla Tedds, Tekla PowerFab, Tekla Model Sharing for Tekla Structures, and Trimble Connect.

Additionally, Trimble offers a variety of MEP products for project information management that improve workflows from the office to the field. The Common Data Environment, Viewpoint For Projects, is a construction management tool that helps businesses manage project documentation and communications. Viewpoint Field View reduces administrative work back in the office. Trimble’s software solutions have been useful in optimising operations, ensuring cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery of projects.

A growing market

According to reports, Saudi Arabia’s construction market is expected to reach US$91.36bn by 2029, up from an estimated US$70.33bn in 2024. With several projects planned, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.37% over the projected period. The market is currently driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 national development policy, which aims to diversify and privatise the economy of the Kingdom.

The GCC’s construction market is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 5% between 2024 and 2029, from an estimated US$169.3bn in 2024 to US$216.8bn by 2029. The region’s project market is still active despite challenges such as inflation, geopolitical unrest, and global pandemics. Contractors, suppliers, and engineering firms are adapting to the changing market conditions by using technological innovations from companies like Trimble.

Paul Wallett, regional director of Trimble Solutions Middle East, said, “With the surging demand of construction projects for different purposes such as tourism, large scale events, economic plans and more, the Middle East and GCC region offers vast opportunities for innovation and growth in the sector. In this evolving industry landscape, our state-of-the-art construction technology solutions play a significant role. The tailor-made solutions aid in addressing unique challenges faced by projects in the dynamic industry landscape. Stakeholders can leverage innovative technological solutions by Trimble to improve productivity, optimise resource utilisation and deliver projects of exceptional quality with efficiency.” 

In line with Saudi Arabia’s aim to expand its economy, several significant projects are underway, which are expected to be completed before Expo 2030. These projects include Jeddah Tower, NEOM, Red Sea Global, Knowledge Economic City, King Abdullah Economic City, Masar Makkah, AlUla, and the Qiddiya project. The development of these projects presents opportunities for Trimble to showcase its solutions and contribute to their successful completion.

Currently, the Kingdom is accelerating Riyadh Metro’s development, a US$22.5bn project that will have six metro lines connecting 85 stations across a 176 km network. During its initial phase, the project is expected to streamline daily transportation for 1.2 million passengers and later expand to 3.6 million at its full capacity. The project, which uses Trimble’s technologies, is expected to be completed this year.

Trimble is involved in the Riyadh Metro project. In 2017, various hardware and software solutions provided by Trimble were used to implement the architectural structure of the Western Station, known for its ‘Sand dunes in the desert’ design. These solutions helped achieve the desired level of detail without a model-based design.