EMR advances sustainability goals with new electric crane
EMR's Becker metal recycling facility’s Sennebogen 895e electric crane contributes to the company’s 100 percent renewable energy commitment
EMR teams are working across U.S., U.K., and E.U. to transform the way it does business and reach the company's 2040 net-zero goal. A key strategy for decarbonizing EMR is investing in cutting-edge technology, exemplified at the state-of-the-art metal recycling facility in Becker, Minnesota. This facility has strengthened its capabilities with the addition of the Sennebogen 895e electric crane in November 2023, which has quickly made a significant impact.
"By continually and objectively evaluating how we work, we find ways to reduce our environmental impact. It's about looking at our business through the lens of sustainability. If we want to make really substantial improvements to our facility's sustainability, technology can play an important role," says Jake Hansen, site manager at EMR Becker.
"In fact, early estimates suggest our team is saving over 250 gallons of diesel per month thanks to switching to the electric crane," Hansen adds.
The Becker facility is located in a U.S. state known for its waterways, rural economy, and diverse natural landscapes, making environmental protection a top priority for EMR. To safeguard the local environment, Hansen and his team have worked to develop a shredder facility that runs on 100 percent renewable energy, which produces zero emissions to air and water.
The facility is fully enclosed to prevent pollutants from contaminating the soil and water during rainfall. This design also enables it to operate at negative air pressure, effectively treating polluted air and preventing it from escaping.
"For people driving past, it may be hard to imagine that there is such a complex and powerful network of cutting-edge machinery operating inside the warehouse building," Hansen says. "And for our team — most of whom live within a few miles of the site — it is obviously important that their employer is doing all it can to protect their community and the area's natural beauty."
EMR has also invested $2.5 million in a new rail line, to ensure that the recycled metals that the site produces can be transported sustainably throughout continental USA.
The company says that new Sennebogen crane is a significant step in cutting carbon emissions and diesel exhaust during recycling. This addition highlights EMR's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and investing in technologies to achieve its sustainability goals.
