The Carbone 4 study for the “Rencontres du matériel durable” event foreshadows the new technological and economic balance in the construction materials industry

Press Release

Following the first edition of the “Rencontres du Matériel Durable” event organized by Kiloutou last May, Carbone 4 conducted a study on the economic and technological challenges of the sector’s environmental transformation, which reveals the positive impact of alternative powertrains (electric, bio-NGV, green hydrogen) on CO2 emissions for various types of construction equipment.

This study focused on a 2.4-metric-ton excavator and an 800L electric-powered compact articulated wheel loader, powered by green hydrogen or bio-CNG. It highlights that the introduction of these new powertrains could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50% over the equipment’s entire life cycle compared to traditional diesel equipment. The study notes that first-generation biodiesels generally produce higher emissions than traditional diesel, a trend that could be reversed with second-generation biodiesels.

From an economic standpoint, the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a traditional diesel excavator and loader is currently 30 to 50% lower than that of alternative equipment (grid-powered electric, generator-powered, or powerbank-powered, bio-CNG). This is mainly due to higher production costs compared to traditional diesel equipment. This gap is expected to narrow in the coming years as battery production costs decline.

Recognizing the need for immediate action, the participants emphasized that eco-driving must be promoted to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint. Eco-driving training schools report fuel savings of 15 to 30 percent when drivers adopt these more environmentally friendly practices.

At this second edition of the Rencontres du Matériel Durable, Carbone 4 also outlined a calculation method designed to standardize carbon accounting across the sector. The goal of this approach is to measure the carbon impact of each piece of equipment, thereby enabling contractors to estimate the emissions associated with each construction project and to identify and select the most environmentally responsible equipment during the bidding process. A working group will be tasked with defining the specific details of this method, with a view to subsequent validation by ADEME.

The event gave participants the opportunity to discuss environmental expectations with Sandrine Gourlet and John Tanguy, Executive Director of External Relations and Director of Strategy, respectively, at the Société du Grand Paris (SGP). These discussions highlighted that the sector would also depend on the regulations and incentives that public authorities might implement in the coming years. A working group dedicated to developing institutional proposals will also be established.

Olivier Colleau, President of Kiloutou, points out that “Carbone 4’s research confirms that the environmental transformation of our sector will have economic impacts across the entire value chain. Now more than ever, these conferences enable us to anticipate technological choices and will help ensure the reliability of our carbon footprint reduction goals across the sector. With the support of industry associations, we now aim to finalize the harmonization of carbon accounting for construction materials and make proposals to institutional stakeholders to accelerate the sector’s environmental transformation.”

The next Sustainable Equipment Conference will be held on June 29, 2022.

ABOUT KILOUTOU

As Europe’s third-largest equipment rental company and a major player in the French equipment rental market, Kiloutou has been balancing economic, environmental, and social considerations for over 40 years by offering the most innovative solutions to an increasingly diverse customer base: construction companies, tradespeople, small and medium-sized businesses, local governments, and industrial firms. To support its growth, the Group relies on the expertise of nearly 6,000 team members and serves more than 300,000 customers in five countries across Europe: France, Poland, Italy, Spain, and Germany. The Kiloutou network comprises 550 branches throughout Europe and offers the widest range on the market, with more than 1,000 product lines and over 250,000 pieces of equipment divided into four major product categories: earthmoving, lifting, utility vehicles, and tools.

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