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Press releases Concrete manufacturer IBF has taken a significant step towards a greener future with the acquisition of 24 new Linde X50 electric forklift trucks. The new machines play a key role in the company’s ambitious ESG strategy and help reduce both CO2 emissions and diesel consumption across internal logistics.

In spring 2025, N.C. Nielsen delivered the first 12 Linde X50 electric forklift trucks to IBF, and more recently the company received a further 12 trucks of the same type. As a result, the first wave of Linde electric trucks is now in operation at IBF’s Danish production facilities.

As part of an ambitious ESG strategy aimed at reducing IBF’s CO2 emissions by 70% by the end of 2030, the electric Linde trucks are playing an important role in modernising both production and internal logistics.

“Green transition and sustainability are incredibly important elements of our overall business strategy. Concrete is known to be a highly CO2-intensive material, primarily because of the cement it contains. That is why we are actively working to reduce the CO2 footprint of our products by replacing cement with other materials,” says ESG Manager Dorthe Aaboe Kallestrup of IBF.

The transport of concrete products also plays an increasingly important role at IBF and is a key focus area in the company’s green transition. Each year, IBF produces more than 2.3 million tonnes of concrete, which are transported from 52 production sites in Denmark and abroad to construction projects by more than 200 lorries and concrete pump trucks. For this reason, IBF is working purposefully to reduce diesel consumption and transition to electric power across lorries, passenger cars and forklift trucks used in internal logistics.

 

Ambitious climate targets and tangible results

The ambition to reduce IBF’s CO2 emissions began as early as 2019, and since then IBF has launched a wide range of initiatives. The company uses green energy from solar panels installed on the roofs of its production facilities, is developing new low-CO2 products, has built a public charging station for electric lorries in Ejby on Funen, and aims to replace its entire forklift fleet with electric Linde machines.

“We have already reduced our CO2 emissions by 36%, so I believe we are well on our way. Every small step counts in the overall equation. That is why we carefully measure our efforts in relevant areas such as raw material consumption, energy type, and diesel versus electricity usage,” emphasises Dorthe Aaboe Kallestrup.
 

Linde X50: a key part of the green transition

The 24 new Linde X50 electric forklift trucks are making a significant contribution to reducing IBF’s CO2 emissions. Due to its energy consumption, IBF is required under EU legislation to undergo an energy audit by the Danish Energy Agency every four years. The most recent audit showed that each Linde X50 truck reduces CO2 emissions by 15 tonnes annually, which together makes a substantial difference to the company’s overall climate accounts.

In addition to the environmental benefits linked to energy consumption, the new Linde X50 forklift trucks also improve the working environment. The electric trucks are quiet, emit no pollution, operate with fewer vibrations than the previous diesel trucks, and feature upgraded cab comfort for the operators who spend many hours behind the wheel every day.

“Our forklift drivers are very positive about the new machines. The Linde X50 is quieter than the diesel trucks it replaces. Visibility has improved, performance has increased with faster lifting speeds, vibrations are minimal, and the trucks can easily run from early morning until late afternoon without requiring additional charging,” says Production Manager Mogens Rosenkilde of IBF.
 

Sustainability among business partners

IBF places high demands on its business partners. They are assessed carefully against ESG parameters and must sign a Code of Conduct that includes specific CO2 reduction targets. The declaration also covers broader criteria such as human rights, working conditions and good business practice. Environmental responsibility and CO2 reductions in particular are very much a shared focus in the partnership with N.C. Nielsen.

“We have worked with N.C. Nielsen for many years and know each other well. We are both family-owned companies that maintain high standards and deliver quality products to our customers. N.C. Nielsen is actively engaged in sustainability through, among other things, upcycling concepts, certifications and its own lithium-ion batteries, which power all of our Linde X50 forklift trucks,” says Mogens Rosenkilde.
 

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