Holistic assessment approach
Based on life cycle engineering according to ISO 14040 and 14044, it is now possible to record and evaluate the environmental impact of the product groups of internal combustion engine counterbalance trucks, electrically driven counterbalance trucks, reach trucks, pallet trucks and pallet stackers as well as order picking equipment and tow trucks. The methodological approach of Linde Material Handling is comprehensive for two reasons: Firstly, it focusses on the holistic assessment of the vehicles’ life cycle – starting with raw material extraction and looking into the manufacture of every individual part, continuing with the transport and utilization phase including maintenance, and concluding with the recyclability of vehicle components. Moreover, Linde Material Handling considers not only CO2 emissions, but rather all environmental aspects such as ozone formation, water pollution, soil acidification, primary energy consumption and greenhouse effect in its analyses.

Life Cycle Assessment as control instrument
The Life Cycle Engineering Department of the Fraunhofer IBP supports the sustainability assessment at Linde MH, for instance with a software and database system with which complex system models can be visualised and evaluated on a scientifically sound basis. The aim is to take the findings of the LCA into consideration in the design and development processes in order to implement specific objectives for the next generation of vehicles. Moreover, the environmental impact of technical changes, such as the use of lithium-ion batteries, can be simulated and tested. The TÜV-certified method also enables life cycle assessments for other product groups, special configurations and individual products to be carried out at any time to meet specific customer requirements, for example.

“Even though a significant part of the environmental impact arises during utilization, life cycle engineering provides valuable information on how to make our production processes even more energy efficient and resource-conserving,” said Dr. Holger Hoppe, in charge of Sustainability Management at Linde Material Handling. In conclusion, Dr. Ralf Dingeldein, Head of the New Vehicles Division, pointed out: “We want to play a leading role not only in the efficiency of our vehicles. Sustainability issues such as workplace safety, environmentally compatible production and healthy working conditions play an important role for us too.”

On the occasion of the company’s World of Material Handling customer event in Mainz, Dr. Jörg Schlösser (right), Managing Director of TÜV Rheinland LGA Products GmbH, today officially presented the TÜV certificates to Theodor Maurer (centre), CEO of Linde Material Handling, and Dr. Holger Hoppe (2. from left) , Head of Sustainability Management. Michael Held (left), Group Head Energy and Mobility Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP), and Dominik Müller (2. from right), Life Cycle Analyst at TÜV Rheinland LGA Products GmbH, supported Linde Material Handling with the life cycle assessments and certification.