European Metal Recycling (EMR) unveiled a first-of-its-kind hybrid-powered material handler in the UK at its Alexandra Docks facility in Liverpool, according to a company statement late last week.
The hybrid material handler was purchased for £3m from German manufacturer Sennebogen and is their 895e Hybrid model, marketed as the ‘largest material handler in the world’.
The investment forms part of EMR’s ‘Our Decade of Action’ plan, which is intended to transition the company towards Scope 1 and 2 carbon neutrality by 2040.
According to Sennebogen, the 895e-type can achieve up to 55pc in energy savings due to its energy recovery system on the down movement of the grab and larger & faster loading rates.
For example, the material handler can carry up to 15mt of bulk ferrous scrap with one single grab, has a reach of up to 40m, can load containers up to 28m, and close-range coil handling of up to 50mt.
The material handler has a 500kW electric drive motor currently powered by a 585kW diesel generator, according to the product specifications.
The company states that the grabber will switch to renewable power once Alexandra Docks can be permanently cabled up with power supply to its quaysides.
EMR says it will spend the next few months conducting performance analysis as well as time and motion studies before a potential global rollout at its highest capacity sites in the UK, EU, and USA.