ABB Inc. (Zurich, Switzerland) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with the Construction and Mining Systems Strategic Business Unit (SBU) of Sumitomo Corp. (Tokyo), the Japan-headquartered industrial group. The two companies will collaborate to explore joint solutions for decarbonizing the operations of mining machinery with a focus on fleet electrification.
The collaboration comes as mining customers seek to decarbonize their operations. As they move to facilitate the transition to decarbonized operations through electrification, miners pursue innovative, economically viable and heavy industry suitable solutions for vehicle and machinery fleets. The two companies plan to devise strategies to meet the demanding requirements of industrial applications, such as high power, automated and safe operation, ruggedized and fit for harsh environmental conditions, with all equipment built to approved standards. Last year, ABB also announced a partnership with Komatsu also aimed at decarbonization of mining and construction machinery.
Kenichi (Kevin) Hyuga, General Manager, Construction and Mining Systems SBU in Sumitomo Corporation together with Joachim Braun, ABB Division President Process Industries at the signing ceremony at bauma trade show, Munich, Germany (Source: ABB)
Teams from ABB and Sumitomo will work together to bring a vision of their complementary systems for decarbonizing mining to concept, relying on their combined understanding of the sector. The aim is to enable energy delivery to mobile electric assets, as well as the required infrastructure of dynamic and static energy transfer.
“We are looking forward to a high level of interaction and engagement on the topics of electrification and decarbonization, with the ambition to realize impactful solutions,” said Kenichi Hyuga, General Manager, Construction and Mining Systems SBU in Sumitomo Corporation.
“Together with Sumitomo, we’re prepared to make further in-roads to the challenge of decarbonizing heavy machinery in the mining industry,” said Joachim Braun, Division President, ABB Process Industries. “As a technology leader we do not take this responsibility lightly and mean to investigate all routes to drive effective change for leaner and cleaner operations. No organization can do this alone, and we share strong values and ideas with our new partner.”
The next steps will include a complete feasibility assessment and review. ABB and Sumitomo will also collaborate closely to develop business models and methods of working to suit mining customers, including further links with potential partners and go-to-market strategies.
“At ABB, we are committed to advancing the decarbonization of transportation fleets through our cutting-edge propulsion technologies,” said Edgar Keller, Division President, ABB Traction. “We look forward to beginning this partnership, which reinforces our mission to deliver innovative solutions that not only lower total cost of ownership, but also contribute to cleaner, greener operations.”