Sustainable solutions in construction machinery

(See igus at Machine Building North, 10 April 2025, on stand 54)

Founded in Ireland, Ecovolve's journey, rooted in ambition and ingenuity, has since grown into a pioneering force in sustainable construction equipment.

Ecovolve's inception dates back to 2008, a challenging year marked by the onset of the global recession. Founder Sean Breen previously operated a small demolition company in concrete cutting and had been envisioning a shift towards more sustainable practices. Driven by the desire to reduce noise pollution on construction sites and to offer a cleaner alternative, he was determined to "Go electric, go eco," creating compact electrical machinery available to rent or buy.

"We started out mostly to solve the noise issue because I knew that on the construction sites there was a lot of noise pollution, but it quickly became clear that there were many other benefits," says Breen.

It is no secret that traditional construction equipment is noisy and causes pollution. Breen wanted to address these issues, converting excavators to electric power. These quieter machines not only reduce noise pollution but also offer a cleaner, more feasible alternative for widespread use in settings such as schools and indoor construction sites.

Expanding the vision

By 2011, the company recognised a gap in the market for large capacity electric dump trucks and what started as a venture to produce quiet equipment expanded into a range of battery-powered machinery, including a dumper truck capable of working a full 12-hour day on a single charge.

Overcoming initial scepticism about battery longevity, Breen delivered machines that impressed with their performance and sustainability. Since then, the company has refined its products, ensuring they surpass market expectations in efficiency and environmental benefits.

What began as a commitment to exceptional operational performance evolved into a search for sustainable solutions. "I was attending trade shows and though customers liked the concept of electric machinery, they were reluctant to invest because of the constant need for maintenance," says Breen.

The need for lubricating grease nipples fitted to the machinery was a particular concern in the rental market, as this presented a costly and time-consuming setback.

By collaborating with igus, a company known for its range of high-performance polymer solutions, Ecovolve were able to integrate self-lubricating iglidur flange bearings along the arms of their mini loader equipment. The local igus Sales Engineer, Sean Ryan, was tasked with bringing this solution to life, paving the way for Ecovolve to offer zero-maintenance machinery to their customers, a significant advancement in reducing the environmental footprint of construction equipment.

The iglidur bearing range from igus offers operational and economic advantages with lubrication and maintenance-free properties. They are also up to seven times lighter than metal equivalents and can take extremely high loads, making them suitable for a wide range of applications and industries.

"I'm delighted to be able to offer a machine to the market that ticks all the boxes, thanks to Sean and igus," says Breen.

Long before his career with igus, sales engineer Sean Ryan recalls working on the London Underground. "When I was 17, I worked in construction on the London Underground from about one in the morning till four inhaling fumes from the machines. It was three hours, but I remember how loud and uncomfortable it was. That could have been avoided with a company like Ecovolve."

As Ecovolve prepares for the future, the focus remains on adapting to industry changes and pioneering developments in machinery technology, emphasising cleaner, quieter and more sustainable operations and the journey, while slower than hoped in terms of adoption, has been a success so far.