Forklift manufacturer Linde MH made further progress in 2024 in reducing emissions and deploying electriccommercial vehicles. From 2026, two electric trucks will handle the transport of forklift counterweights to the assembly plant in Aschaffenburg. Ten lighter electric vans are already in operation.
The latter are expected to make a significant contribution to the decarbonization of journeys within and between locations in the Aschaffenburg region. This is according to the 2024 sustainability report.
Becoming more sustainable is undoubtedly a process that requires perseverance, ingenuity, but also foresight and courage. With its annual sustainability report, Linde Material Handling (MH) takes stock of progress in a wide range of areas – including the environment, health, occupational safety, social responsibility, and products and solutions. The comprehensive, updated online version for 2024 is now available.
High proportion of "green" electricity
Direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Scope 1 and 2, are key performance indicators listed in the report and were reduced in 2024. "We achieved this, for example, through a high proportion of sourced 'green electricity,' but also through the use of waste heat and energy-saving measures in infrastructure and production," explains Bernhard van der Westhuizen, Head of HSE Sales & Service for Linde MH.
From 2026 onwards, the use of new electric trucks and vans will have a positive impact on this figure and contribute to the short-term climate target of reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 4.7 percent per year until 2030 compared to the base year 2021. By 2050 at the latest, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions along the entire value chain (Scope 1, 2 and 3) is to be reduced to net zero.
The new 42-tonne tractor units with a battery capacity of 600 kWh and a range of 500 km, along with ten additional light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and the charging infrastructure, were funded under the
) directive on the promotion of light and heavy commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drive systems (KsNI). Part of this funding comes from the EU's German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP). "This acquisition makes a significant contribution to the electrification of our internal transport logistics," emphasizes Franz Huber, Project Manager Energy Solutions for Linde MH.
Partly from EU funds
With its new fleet of electric vehicles, the company aims to save around 180 tons of CO2 per year. While the heavy trucks are used for shuttle services between the foundry and the assembly plant, the electric vans help to make logistics between the regional sites emission-free. For example, they handle canteen deliveries.
Electric truck with a 500 km range
A further improvement in sustainability indicators was achieved in the coverage of the international environmental management standard ISO 14001. The number of plants and locations of the Linde MH Sales and Service Organisation that meet the requirements of the recognized environmental management system was increased .
Life cycle assessment for the most important forklift series
This standard includes, for example , life cycle assessments (LCAs). These systematically analyze the potential environmental impacts and energy balance of products from raw material extraction and manufacturing through the use phase to disposal or recycling at the end of their life cycle. More than 20 years ago, Linde MH, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, developed a scientific methodology for the comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impact of its forklift trucks and warehouse equipment and has prepared life cycle assessments for key product groups.
Since then, the methodology has been continuously developed and professionalized. Today, the LCAs are based on ISO standards 14040 and 14044. LCAs already exist for a significant portion of the Linde product lines. For the electric forklifts in the 1.0 to 2.0 t load capacity class, which were launched in 2025, a corresponding LCA will be part of the market launch for the first time.
Glencore is a recycling partner
The report also includes initial results from the strategic partnership with battery recycling company Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (Glencore Battery Recycling since August of this year), which has been in place since 2023. Approximately 15.8 tons of lithium-ion battery modules, or 442 lithium-ion batteries, returned to Linde MH, underwent the recycling process in 2024. The to can be used
Online version of the 2024 Sustainability Report
