With construction technology around sustainability significantly advancing in recent years, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 is already set to have the biggest focus on sustainability since the show began in 1948.

“The construction industry and CONEXPO-CON/AGG are evolving in many ways to adapt and showcase sustainable technologies, products and practices supporting a more sustainable world. More than ever, show attendees will see sustainability in action, from electric and hydrogen powered construction equipment, to more recyclable materials and waste reduction opportunities, to changes we’re making to the show to better support sustainability.”

said CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff.

Here’s how CONEXPO-CON/AGG is putting sustainability at the forefront:

Sustainable Tech on Display

Across the show floor, sustainable technologies, products and practices will be on display. Here is a sampling of what will be featured:

Volvo Construction Equipment has already announced they will bring several electric and autonomous pieces to their stand in the Festival Lot, including their EC230 electric excavator pilot,  their Zeux autonomous concept wheel loader, and their HX04 prototype hydrogen articulated hauler.

Just steps away, Caterpillar (Booth F-9127) will bring four battery electric machines as well as a series of prototype batteries for off-road equipment ranging from 48-600 volts.

In addition to that, CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees can expect to find:

• Aerial work platform specialists Skyjack (Booth F-9427) will have their new SJ120 E on hand, a zero-emissions mast lift with a 30 percent improvement in duty cycle.
• Asphalt recycling equipment from Pavement Recyclers LLC (Booth S-5966) and VSS Macropaver (Booth C-32073) use different processes for recycling asphalt, keeping it out of landfills. Concrete contractors can also get in on the green trend by checking out Holcim’s (Booth C-20405) ECOPact concrete that can eliminate carbon emissions entirely in some instances.
• Construction pros that want to maximize their energy efficiency can explore Kubota’s (Booth S-84415) V3307 Micro-Hybrid engine for installing in their existing equipment, saving fuel with the attachments they use, like Rototilt’s (Booth F-8338) Rototilt Control system.
• Contractors who work in disaster recovery could save up to 600 sand bags per barrier (and not worrying about disposal should it become contaminated) with Rapid Barrier Systems’ (Booth S-61515) water-inflatable barriers, not to mention the fuel needed to haul it on and off site.
• Demolition contractors wanting to reduce waste and preserve still-usable material can see Aquajet’s Hydrodemolition robots at the Brokk booth (Booth C-20349) that can help remove damaged concrete while leaving still-good concrete and rebar reinforcement intact.
• Compaction is another place where low-efficiency engines can be replaced with battery-operated equipment, according to Wacker Neuson (Booth W-43501) who will be bringing a number of electric tools including, for the first time, battery-powered, reversible plates.
• Small engine specialists Briggs & Stratton will bring their Vanguard (Booth D-1033) brand’s swappable lithium-ion batteries to CONEXPO-CON/AGG for the first time, available for attendees to test out. And for construction pros that want to make sure their batteries are in proper working condition, Redline Detection (Booth N-10532) is bringing their battery coolant and leak detector.
• When it comes to equipment, gas or electric-powered, the environmental impact is more than just emissions, but lubricants. B3C Fuel Solutions (Booth S-61545) is bringing products to the show to help contractors eliminate waste by restoring emulsified/damaged oil, and make sure lubricant that does find its way to the environment is non-toxic and biodegradable.
• Wastewater is a major issue, including when construction equipment needs cleaning. Waste2Water (Booth S-64429) is bringing solutions to CONEXPO-CON/AGG to help equipment operators keep waste and chemical-laden water out of the environment.
• Once attendees have all their sustainable equipment picked out and ready, AT&T’s Equipment and Machinery Solutions team (Booth N-12700) is bringing a solution to help track their actual Scope 1 emissions versus their targets.

The Arbor Day Foundation Partnership

One of the biggest sustainability efforts on the part of CONEXPO-CON/AGG directly is a newly announced partnership between the show and the Arbor Day Foundation. CONEXPO-CON/AGG and the Arbor Day Foundation are working toward planting 130,000 trees in forests of greatest need, one for every show registrant.

Additionally, CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibitors and attendees can contribute to the Arbor Day Foundation’s funds, allowing them to further their goal of involving themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees around the globe.

Each dollar contributed to the Arbor Day Foundation will result in one tree being planted in a forest in need.

“The Arbor Day Foundation is excited to be the official nonprofit sustainability partner of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023. As one of the world’s most trusted and experienced tree planting organizations, we work with organizations of all sizes to help them meet their corporate sustainability, ESG, and CSR goals. Whether you’re looking to help protect biodiversity, contribute to wildfire recovery, bring the benefits of trees to a community in need, or add verified forestry carbon credits to your emissions reduction strategy, the Arbor Day Foundation is uniquely positioned to connect you with meaningful projects all over the world.”

said Becca Hebbard, corporate partnerships manager for the Arbor Day Foundation.

Sustainability Education

CONEXPO-CON/AGG has given sustainability its own education track in its seminar offerings, now with thirteen sessions dedicated to the topic. Those sessions tackle subjects like reducing the carbon footprint of concrete, getting and managing electric construction equipment, asphalt and concrete recycling, carbon neutrality, and a “Sustainability 101” session for attendees just now starting their sustainability journey.

But construction pros don’t have to wait until they get to Las Vegas to start their sustainability education. The CONEXPO-CON/AGG Podcast has several episodes dedicated to the topic, including:

• Episode 84: “Mining Technology Improves Sustainability, Operator Comfort, Productivity”
• Episode 89: “Advancing Cement & Concrete Sustainability with Connected Devices”
• Episode 116: “Salvaging the Industry”

Making the Show Itself More Sustainable

CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE are committed to reducing the environmental impact of the show. This includes partnering with vendors that are dedicated to sustainable practices and reducing waste, helping exhibitors choose more sustainable options, and measuring our total 2023 environmental impact to identify future improvements.

The sustainability efforts at CONEXPO-CON/AGG reflect the focus on sustainability within the entire construction industry. Many construction companies have realized that their clients are demanding sustainable building practices more and more with each project, and contractors themselves are recognizing the benefits of moving to more sustainable equipment and practices.