CASE India: Backhoes, Excavators & Compactors for Efficient Construction

CASE India is committed to building a greener future with its advanced loader backhoes, excavators, and compactors, designed for sustainable and efficient road construction.
Shalabh Chaturvedi - Managing Director, CASE Construction Equipment India & SAARC region

What new advancements are being made by India’s road construction industry to construct smarter and more sustainable roads that suit our climatic conditions, while also using industrial by-products and other waste materials?

Construction equipment serves as a crucial enabler in the overall scheme of things. Whenever there is an opportunity for smart or sustainable construction, the equipment should be capable of managing that. First, there should be an intent to build smart and sustainable roads. If this intent is present, the equipment should facilitate achieving that goal.

In road construction, India has historically suffered from poor-quality roads, a situation that has been improving over the last several years. One significant factor in this improvement is the adoption of smarter technology and innovative materials. Traditionally, India copied European road construction standards and materials, which do not suit India's unique climate. Unlike Europe, India experiences different weather patterns, heat cycles, cold cycles, and monsoons.

However, we have become wiser over the years and now understand how to build roads better suited to our environment. For example, roads are becoming smarter by incorporating single-use plastic mixed with bitumen to construct and strengthen them. This approach has already been piloted in Uttar Pradesh and implemented on reputed national highways, including the Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra. These advancements are working in our favor, allowing us to construct roads that suit our weather system while also using non-biodegradable materials like single-use plastic in a more sustainable way.

What new technologies is CASE India integrating into its equipment to support sustainable construction of roads and highways?

Eco-friendly and advanced technologies in our products start with their sourcing. We prioritize whether our materials come from polluting or non-polluting industries. In our vendor selection criteria, a major factor is that suppliers must adhere to minimum standards of environmental sustainability.

Next, we consider how we source our energy. For example, are we using coal-based power from the grid, or are we utilizing renewable sources, such as solar energy? We have extensively deployed solar panels at our Pithampur factory in Madhya Pradesh, sourcing a significant portion of our power from this renewable resource.

Then, we examine our manufacturing processes. Are we discharging effluent or wastewater into the drains or neighboring ecosystems? No, we are not. We have a zero-discharge plant and fully recycle all the wastewater we generate.

Moving on to the product itself, we focus on the technology used in our products to ensure that they are capable of smart and sustainable construction. Features like telematics make our equipment smarter. For instance, if the equipment is idle, it sends an alert to the operator or customer, suggesting it be shut off (similar to turning off a car at a traffic signal when it’s stationary for a certain period).

In terms of construction technology, we strive to use smarter methods to reduce fuel consumption, thereby reducing effluents and CO2 emissions from the equipment. In the previous answer, I have mentioned the use of single-use plastic in road construction. But is our equipment capable of compacting such materials? This is a key focus of our R&D, where we test our equipment with various materials, ensuring that it is fit for use with renewable materials in road construction or in general infrastructure.

What are the key considerations for equipment manufacturers entering the electric equipment market, and how do they plan to address potential barriers?

Electrification is a major trend. It started with passenger cars and two-wheelers, and now the construction equipment industry is moving in this direction. Case Construction is at the forefront of this transition. For example, we have developed and are commercially selling the world's first electric loader backhoe. Currently, no other player in the world offers an electric loader backhoe, and we are selling it in regions with the necessary ecosystem to support electric equipment.

In India, electrification of construction equipment is still in the early stages of adoption. The primary reason is that our equipment typically operates outside urban areas, that is, in rural parts of the country where adequate charging infrastructure is lacking. This infrastructure is not yet available even for passenger cars, so it will take time to develop for construction equipment.

However, there are contained sites, such as mining operations, where all equipment works within the site. In these areas, if electric charging infrastructure is available, our equipment can be very useful.

From a technology standpoint, we are fully prepared. We have already developed electric loader backhoes, electric wheel loaders, and electric mini excavators, which are being sold in many parts of the world.

In India, the journey towards full electrification involves two steps: the first step is to integrate electrification within the existing machinery. Instead of having fully electric equipment, we are incorporating technologies that enhance efficiency. For instance, a diesel engine generates power, which is then used by the hydraulics of the machine. In the second step, we can introduce an electric battery or motor to store and utilize excess power from the engine for the hydraulic system. These partially hybrid technologies are already being used in our loader backhoes and excavators, providing electric boosts between the hydraulic and engine power.

As the supporting infrastructure in India matures, we will be ready to launch fully electric machines. This commitment to sustainability and efficiency will benefit our customers and the environment.

How is CASE India partnering with contractors to provide them with the best possible solutions for completing road projects on time and within the budget?

There are two aspects to this: the first is working with the government to transition from the L1 bidding system to a Q1 system, which prioritizes quality. India is at a point where we deserve better infrastructure quality, and we have the resources to afford it. We are collaborating with government agencies to find alternatives to the L1 bidding system.

The second aspect involves working with contractors to explain the total cost of ownership (TCO). We shift the focus from the initial acquisition cost to the overall ownership cost of the equipment. For instance, Case Construction Equipment provides higher value and lower costs over the product’s life cycle compared to a myopic focus on initial costs. We demonstrate how smart and sustainable technologies contribute to this.

Our hybrid machines, as mentioned earlier, utilize the engine's non-useful power to perform useful tasks, effectively reducing waste, increasing utilization, and lowering overall operational costs. This, in turn, reduces the TCO.

Another crucial aspect is the incentive for faster project completion, especially in NHAI contracts, where contractors receive bonuses for early completion. This incentive can be the deciding factor in their profitability, given the razor-thin margins in the L1 system. Completing projects ahead of schedule requires productive and reliable equipment that minimizes downtime. Case Construction products offer this reliability and productivity.

We continuously work with contractors to educate them on the TCO concept and the financial benefits of finishing projects early. This includes the potential incentives and bonuses for timely completion, helping them understand the long-term economic advantages of investing in advanced technology.

What is the way forward for making road construction carbon-free and eco-friendly? What are the initiatives taken by CASE India?

There are several key areas for making construction less polluting and sustainable. One significant factor is the push from the government, particularly regarding emission standards. India is already at Stage 4 emission standards for construction equipment and will move to Stage 5 emission standards for all wheeled equipment, starting January 1st next year. Equipment such as loader backhoes, vibratory compactors, wheel loaders, and motor graders will need to comply with these standards. Globally, Stage 5 is the highest emission standard, currently adopted by Europe, Israel, South Korea, and soon India. This surpasses even the US (Tier 4) and Australia (Tier 0), demonstrating India's commitment to reducing emissions.

Further steps include introducing emissionized products for non-wheeled equipment. In India, equipment like excavators and bulldozers, which run on track chains rather than wheels, are not yet emissionized. Extending emission standards to these machines will cover a large portion of the industry, further reducing harmful emissions.

Another important aspect is the public's growing awareness of sustainability, which drives the use of recycled materials. An example is the use of plastic-infused bitumen in road construction, a new practice in India that contributes to more sustainable construction techniques.

Cost consciousness also plays a crucial role. Using hybrid electric technologies can reduce overall owning and operating costs. It’s not just about the initial acquisition cost but the lifetime value generated from the equipment. This includes leveraging waste from engines to reduce fuel consumption and improve efficiency.

From a contractor's perspective, the focus should be on using more efficient powertrains. From a consumer's perspective, the goal should be to recycle and minimize waste as much as possible. From a government perspective, there should be a push towards cleaner technologies, extending beyond wheeled machines to include non-wheeled equipment.

In summary, the way forward involves government regulations, public consciousness, and technological advancements to ensure construction becomes more sustainable. Our future plans include continuing to comply with and exceed emission standards, promoting use of recycled materials, and developing cost-effective, efficient technologies to reduce the environmental impact of construction.

Puneet Vidyarthi - Head of Marketing and Business Development India & SAARC, CASE Construction Equipment

The commitment of Case as an organization to technology ultimately contributes to sustainability, ensuring that we can meet today's needs without compromising our ability to meet future requirements. One area of focus for our organization, as a powerhouse in research and development, is alternative fuels. Our teams are actively engaged in this pursuit, and it is something we will likely discuss further in the future. This approach aligns with our long-standing history as one of the oldest construction companies globally, having been established in 1842, spanning over 180 years. This endurance exemplifies sustainability in action, as we not only have survived for so long but also plan to continue thriving for centuries to come. This achievement has only been possible due to our enduring commitment to a greener, more prosperous future and our dedication to serving the best interests of our customers.