Volvo Fossil-Free Steel Hauler Delivers Sustainable Productivity

North America’s first construction machine built from fossil-free steel has logged over 1000 hours supporting quarry operations at Pennsy Supply Inc., a CRH company, in Pennsylvania. The Volvo A30G articulated hauler made its debut at CONEXPO 2023 in Las Vegas, where it was officially handed over to CRH management by Melker Jernberg, President of Volvo CE.

Pennsy Supply Inc. is part of CRH, the leader in building materials solutions with over 3,000 locations in 29 countries. Like Volvo CE, CRH has science-based target commitments. It aims to be a net-zero business by 2050 and targets a 30% reduction in absolute group-wide emissions by 2030. 

The Volvo fossil-free steel hauler signifies the potential of partnerships to drive emissions reductions at multiple points across an organization’s sustainability roadmap, starting with the sourcing of equipment. CRH is a long-standing customer of Volvo CE with sizable fleets and welcomed the opportunity to be involved with this new, virtually carbon-free steel production process. 

The A30G dump body was produced using fossil-free steel produced by Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB. During the iron ore extraction process, the manufacturer uses fossil-free electricity and hydrogen instead of burning coal, which makes water, instead of carbon, as a byproduct. The result is a significantly lower climate impact in SSAB’s production process – an at least 90% reduction in CO2 emissions - and an essential step towards a net-zero emissions value chain. 

At Pennsy Supply’s East Petersburg quarry, the 30-ton hauler is integrated into its daily workflow, working 10-hour days alongside three additional Volvo haulers (A40 and A60H models) and L220H and L110H wheel loaders. The site supplies aggregate, sand, and high-calcium limestone from its quarries and batches ready-mix concrete and asphalt. Sustainable practices are part of its culture and processes, and the new fossil-free hauler signifies this commitment. 

“We are a leading recycler with our reclaimed asphalt product and are always looking at new ways to continually improve our sustainability and ultimately reduce our carbon footprint,” says Christina Edgerton, President of Pennsy Supply Inc. “The partnership with Volvo also supports our vision of how we can help contribute to a lower carbon world within our local community.” 

The East Petersburg Quarry, Pennsy Supply Inc. produces thousands of tons of material each day that is stockpiled or loaded out by customers. The fast pace of the quarry demands reliability from the Volvo equipment. The fossil-free steel hauler has seamlessly moved into its new role, says David Courcy, quarry superintendent, “I see no difference between this hauler and a traditional hauler. This truck is just as strong, and it moves just as much material. It’s a great truck to have in our fleet.”

The A30G packs all the traits that make Volvo haulers stand above the competition, including operator visibility, comfort, and fuel efficiency, says Dino Faiola, executive vice president at Pennsy Supply Inc. The Haul Assist on-board weighing system, standard on all A25-A60 models, monitors the amount of material loaded to prevent underloading or overloading and eliminate guesswork. 

The high production environment puts intense demands on the equipment, which is chosen as much for its durability as for its uptime support. Local Volvo dealer Highway Equipment & Supply Co. has been a key player in the quarry’s success year over year.

“Having a reliable asset that’ll do what needs to be done and do it safely and reliably are the main things that we look for in an equipment supplier. We utilize Volvo assets across the U.S., and Volvo has been a great partner for us,” says Jake Parson, CRH Americas Northeast Division President. 

Watch a video of the A30G fossil-free steel hauler working at the Pennsy Supply quarry.