Mourik builds first 100% clean excavator on hydrogen.
The first completely clean hydrogen excavator will start work this month at the Strong Lekdijk dike reinforcement project near Schoonhoven. With the use of the 30-tonne emission-free crawler excavator, Mourik is taking the next big step towards a completely clean and sustainable machine park. The international family business has the ambition to use only emission-free equipment by 2030.
It looks exactly like a traditional excavator.
Kees Jan Mourik, chairman of the board of contractor and technical service provider Mourik.
However, it is so clean that we can work with it even in Natura 2000 sites. Moreover, the hydrogen version is more powerful than the ordinary one.
“For the lovers; it is a converted Liebherr R926 Generation 8 that, thanks to our modifications, emits no CO₂ and NOx at all. The machine can run for a full working day without having to replace the batteries or refill the hydrogen. So there is no loss of time. This makes this unique excavator optimally deployable and profitable for our clients.”
Mourik has previously developed a technology that can reduce NOx emissions from construction equipment such as excavators, crane lifters, rollers, asphalt machines and generators by no less than 97%. Mourik: “By innovating in emission-free equipment, we can still get to work on important infrastructure projects and dike reinforcement projects, despite the strict nitrogen regulations.” Need is high
Mourik: “It also opens up possibilities for projects for which it is currently difficult or impossible to obtain permits in connection with emissions.”
With zero emissions, we offer the solution to this main obstacle. The need is high. Construction must continue. As a family business, we are proud to be able to take the lead in this.’
Mourik did the conversion of the excavator in-house.
Walter Deelen, director of Mourik Infra:
The technology is new, so we had to build up the knowledge ourselves.
“This has been entrusted to our innovation specialists at our subsidiary Mourik Techniek. Together with innovation specialist Accenda and with the support of supplier Liebherr, we have developed a blueprint for how you can convert construction machines quickly and efficiently.”
The bright minds at Mourik are now busy extracting green hydrogen from roadside grass and pruning waste. Mourik: ‘Green hydrogen will become scarce if more companies make the switch to working clean. With a little creativity we can also find solutions to this challenge. Innovation is our spearhead.
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Press release: Mourik builds first 100% clean excavator on hydrogen, October 1, 2021