Leading construction and mining equipment, engine, turbine and locomotive manufacturer Caterpillar and building materials company CRH announced today a new strategic electrification agreement to develop and deploy battery electric off-highway trucks for CRH operations.

CRH is the largest aggregates producer in North America, and the first in its industry to sign an electrification agreement with Caterpillar, the companies said.

Denise Johnson, Resource Industries Group President at Caterpillar, said:

“We are pleased to work with CRH, as our first aggregates industry customer, to expand our electrification solutions beyond mining. When it comes to sustainability, the quarry and aggregates industry requires diverse solutions. Our collaboration with CRH is an exciting opportunity to learn together and gain valuable insights into how our products can best support CRH’s long-term objectives to decarbonize its operations.”

Under the new agreement, the companies will focus on accelerating the deployment of Caterpillar’s 70 to 100-ton-class battery electric off-highway trucks and charging solutions at a CRH site in North America.

CRH will also participate in Caterpillar’s Early Learner program for battery electric off-highway trucks, testing and validating the units in real-world applications. Launched in 2021, the program focuses on accelerating the development and validation of Caterpillar’s battery electric trucks at customers’ sites. CRH will also provide insights through feedback addressing safety, performance, operational and compliance requirements for the aggregates industry.

According to the companies, the agreement will support CRH’s climate objectives, which include goals to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 30% by 2030, compared with 2021, and to achieve net zero by 2050.

Scott Parson, President, CRH Americas Materials Solutions said:

“At CRH, we recognize that collaboration and innovation are critical to delivering our industry-leading decarbonization targets and achieving our ambition of net-zero by 2050. Through this partnership with Caterpillar, we will advance the use of sustainable equipment in our operations and build on our shared commitment to a low-carbon future.”