Zeppelin’s mission is to enable its customers to achieve long-term and sustainable economic profit. In terms of its own products and services, the Zeppelin Group offers its customers a continuously expanding portfolio of sustainable products and services. Zeppelin thus supports its customers in achieving their own sustainability goals and in shaping their value creation processes. Product development focuses on sustainable cost effectiveness through increased efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, and lower maintenance costs. The range of products includes low-emission or zero-emission solutions with hybrid and electric drives. Extensive services such as regular maintenance, warranties, and the reconditioning of machines, as well as spare and add-on parts extend the service life and ensure resources have a longer useful life. The products offered by Zeppelin meet high safety standards and protect customers and employees.
Construction Equipment Central Europe, Nordics and Eurasia SBUs
The diverse portfolio includes electric construction machines such as the Cat 301.9 electric mini-excavator and the successful Cat Certified Rebuild repair program, which enables more sustainable use by saving raw materials and primary energy. The portfolio also includes powerful equipment for earthmoving, excavation of materials, demolition, recycling and road construction, as well as machines for gardening and landscaping, agriculture and industry. Special machines for surface and underground mining, as well as large and special equipment for mines, quarries and the oil and gas industry, along with various assistance systems, machine controls, and fleet management systems for in-house and third-party machines complete the product range.
Zeppelin also offers its customers the general overhaul of used construction equipment as a cost-effective and resource-conserving alternative to buying new equipment. One priority in particular is comprehensive customer support and the holistic design of the portfolio – from seismographic soil surveys to an all-inclusive contract. Zeppelin’s sales and service organizations for new and used Caterpillar construction machines, as well as used construction machines from other manufacturers and the corresponding attachments also offer the following sustainable services:
Environmentally friendly alternatives
Zeppelin offers its customers construction machines from its manufacturer partner Caterpillar that have been awarded the “Blue Angel” label and are especially quiet. These include, for example, wheel loader models. In addition, mini excavators with combined diesel and electric drives as well as electric material handlers with cable supply represent a cost-effective and at the same time environmentally friendly, low-emissions solution.
Construction machines with environmentally friendly engines
Since 2019, new construction machines from manufacturing partner Caterpillar have met the current emissions level V. Today, these products are exemplary in many areas in terms of fuel consumption – including electronic controls, various operating modes, idling shut-offs, electrically powered demand fans, and smart transmissions. The design of the overall powertrain focuses not only on efficiency, but also on reducing emissions.
Protecting the environment with bio-oil
The “HYDO Advanced” bio-oil from Caterpillar Inc. is biodegradable and has been awarded the “Blue Angel” label. In a construction machine, ingress of dirt or contact with external attachments can contaminate the hydraulic oil. It can be cleaned in a mobile ultra-fine filter system, saving you hundreds of liters of oil in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way.
Assistance systems
There are assistance systems precisely adapted to every area of application and every construction machine, which make work even easier for experienced drivers and enable inexperienced drivers to achieve the desired work result more quickly. This reduces machine running time, uses less fuel, and cuts down wear and tear, thereby reducing the environmental impact.
Condition monitoring
Constant monitoring of the machine condition not only prevents failures, but also ensures permanently good maintenance and upkeep status of construction equipment. This has a positive effect on commitment and the environment.
Fleet management
Modern fleet management enables optimization of processes in construction, and also records fuel consumption and unproductive idling phases. This allows objective decisions to be made on the basis of numbers and the performance of the driver and machine to be improved systematically. This is possible for Caterpillar construction machines as well as for machines from competitors.
Extending product life
- Preventive maintenance of construction machine components extends machine life and prevents unexpected failures. This means that new purchases can be postponed, money can be saved, and raw materials can be used sustainably.
- The special “Certified Rebuild” programs from Zeppelin and Caterpillar include a complete overhaul of the powertrain or the entire machine. The machine or powertrain therefore meets the quality requirements of a new machine. This not only saves costs, but also raw materials and primary energy and extends the service life of the machine.
- Zeppelin also offers numerous replacement parts. Many components such as crankshafts, alternators, starters or transmissions of a construction machine can be given a new lease of life. Instead of a new part, if there is a defect a replacement with an overhauled old part saves costs and raw materials.
Power Systems SBU
Zeppelin is a leading provider of drive, propulsion, traction and energy systems and offers highly efficient solutions in industrial and marine applications, rail vehicles, the oil and gas industry and power generation. In addition to drive solutions based on Caterpillar diesel, gas and dual-fuel engines, the portfolio also includes generator sets for power generation, combined heat and power plants, ship propellers, complete drive systems, as well as complementary systems and worldwide service.
Digital products for all segments as well as system components and complete solutions for treating ballast water complete the product range. The following solutions place a particular emphasis on sustainability:
Advanced technologies – ballast water treatment systems
As an official partner of Optimarin, Zeppelin implements system solutions for ballast water treatment for customers in the maritime sector.
Fleets and machine management
With the Active Equipment Connect solution, customers can operate engines and systems efficiently and in a way that conserves resources. This extends the service life of the engines and lowers emissions and fuel consumption. Data-based action with a focus on HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) simplifies the management of machines and fleets.
Extending product life
Zeppelin offers competent execution of all maintenance and repair work that ensures long-term use of resources. Before delivery to the customer, the engines are run on the test bench and preventively examined for possible sources of fault. Preventive maintenance increases operational safety and reduces unexpected breakdowns and costs.
Product developments
Zeppelin is constantly working on projects to expand its product portfolio. They focus in particular on more sustainable drive and energy systems such as fuel cell technology, but also large-scale heat pumps, which play an important role in the decarbonization of heating networks. In addition to combined heat and power projects already underway, in which large-scale heat pumps are primarily used to increase overall system efficiency, other areas of application in the high-temperature range and waste heat utilization in industrial plants are currently being analyzed.
Alternative fuels
Caterpillar Cat and MaK engines can be operated with alternative fuels in addition to conventional diesel fuel. These include biodiesel, hydrogenated vegetable oils (HVO), and synthetically produced fuels such as GTL (gas-to-liquids). In the future, the company plans to add methanol (methanol blending) and a 25% hydrogen admixture in CHP plants with gas engines.
Rental SBU
With customized solutions in the areas of machine and equipment rental, temporary infrastructure and construction logistics, Zeppelin ensures the safe and efficient execution of projects in construction, industry, manual trades and events.
More than 75,000 machines and devices for rent, from the global market leader Caterpillar and other renowned manufacturers, guarantee maximum availability, quality and range. Temporary infrastructure provides needs-based concepts in site and traffic guidance, energy and construction water supply, power generation and air conditioning technology as well as customized modular room solutions: Planning, installation, and ongoing support from a one-stop shop. Through the overarching planning and coordination of all secondary processes on a construction site, construction logistics ensures the framework conditions for smooth processes as well as adherence to deadlines and budgets.
Zeppelin offers a wide range of solutions to help customers achieve their sustainability goals. These can be divided into the following three categories:
Reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
- State-of-the-art rental fleet: The launch of the ecoRent environmental brand in 2011 was trend-setting in the market, and the portfolio has been continuously expanded since then.
- Resource-saving work: The sustainable ecoRent program includes rental machines and equipment with combustion engines that meet the currently valid EU Stage V emissions standard, as well as hybrid technology. Zeppelin Rental has also been using HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) as a sustainable alternative to diesel fuel since 2023. HVO reduces CO2 emissions on the construction site by up to 90 percent, is guaranteed to be palm oil-free and thus protects the environment.
- Carbon neutrality: Electrically operated equipment from the ecoRent portfolio already enables carbon-neutral working today. The range includes, for example, work platforms, emissions-free LED floodlight mast systems, electrically powered mini excavators and much more.
- Mobile power generation: As part of a new energy concept, a combination of Stage V generator sets and innovative battery storage systems can increase energy efficiency while reducing fuel consumption.
- Traffic telematics solutions: The use of interchangeable traffic guidance with state-of-the-art LED technology for intelligent traffic control reduces traffic jams and cuts CO2 emissions.
- Green electricity: Supply of green electricity from 100% renewable energy sources with proof of origin for construction sites, production facilities, and properties.
Promote the circular economy
- Sharing economy: Through its rental business model, Zeppelin contributes to extending the service life of products and supports the reuse and recycling of materials in accordance with the principles of the circular economy.
- Disposal logistics: In the spirit of the circular economy, Zeppelin Rental ensures a maximization of the recycling rate (approx. 90%) on construction sites through its waste management solutions, with separate waste sorting and invoicing according to the cost-by-originator principle.
- Modular room solutions for sustainable construction: Modular room solutions have a particularly environmentally friendly and resource-efficient life cycle. At the end of their useful life, the modules and components are returned to the material cycle and recycled.
- Optimization of logistics: Zeppelin aims to reduce fuel consumption as part of last-mile logistics by optimizing transport routes and using telematics systems.
- Construction logistics planning and management: Zeppelin’s construction logistics planning and management ensures seamless processes, for example to optimize delivery traffic, avoid traffic jams, increase productivity and efficiency, and consequently plan the use of resources in the construction process in line with actual needs.
- Proven resource conservation: The “Rental+” app can be used to reduce the number of transport operations and thus save large quantities of diesel fuel.
Health and safety
- Regular maintenance and inspection of the rental fleet: Regular maintenance and inspections serve to ensure the safety and operationality of equipment.
- Training and instruction: Customers receive comprehensive training and instruction on the safe handling of the rental equipment. In addition, there is a QR code on each device that links to the operating instructions and, in many cases, also to an explanatory video.
- Provision of safety equipment: If necessary, Zeppelin ensures that the appropriate safety equipment is made available together with the rental equipment.
- Noise-free and dust-free working: The use of electrical machines and devices protects the health of the operating personnel.
Plant Engineering SBU
Zeppelin specializes in constructing systems for the handling of high-quality bulk materials. From system planning to implementation, Plant Engineering supports its customers, providing all services from a single source.
Innovative process concepts are just as important as smart automation solutions and comprehensive service that covers the entire lifecycle of a system. Each Zeppelin system meets the individual requirements of its customers, who come from industries such as plastics, chemicals, rubber and tires, as well as food. In addition, new customer groups will be opened up in the area of tire and plastic recycling and battery mass production. With a large Association of Technical Centers for Bulk Materials, Zeppelin makes it possible for its customers to review and optimize plant design on an industrial scale. Zeppelin also develops and manufactures its own components for plants’ key functions, and these are used in third-party systems too. Below is a selection of products and services from the Plant Engineering SBU with a particular focus on sustainability:
Zero-waste production
Conveying systems are optimally designed when the conveying task and method are ideally matched to each other. Optimized conveying saves energy, prevents emissions, and helps to reduce abrasion, dust formation, and grain breakage through gentle conveying. Further design measures, from feeding raw materials and emptying containers to their introduction into the process, prevent additional material losses during material handling and increase product quality.
- As standard, the plants are equipped with return conveyors or rework processes in order to return production-related waste directly to the process.
- Bread that cannot be sold due to visual imperfections need not be thrown away. These bread residues can be utilized sensibly – even with improved dough quality and taste.
Zeppelin provides a liquid dosing system for a wide range of process liquids and, in some cases, highly viscous and functional additives. Liquid dosing systems tailored to the processes enable high-precision dosing – even in a closed circuit. The precise and loss-free incorporation of functional fluids is also possible, for example in the area of tire production. This not only saves costs, but also protects the environment.
Recycling
Recycled plastic granulate has one critical disadvantage: it often smells unpleasant. Therefore, it can only reused to a very limited extent in plastic production. Deodorization processes from Zeppelin Systems degas plastic recyclates so that they can be returned to the production process in larger quantities. By using more recycled materials, customers can easily achieve and even increase their recycling rates.
- With technologies from Zeppelin and the use of high-quality recycled materials, valuable raw materials such as industrial soot, rubber granulate, and rubber powder can be saved.
- For rubber and tire waste, Zeppelin offers various recycling processes for the higher-quality return of recycled materials into high-value (new) products and new tires.
- Recycling passenger car tires produces ‘fluff’, a light fraction that is created from the reinforcement fibers in the tire during the shredding process. These fibers are prepared using a special process and replace chemical additives in asphalt coverings. The fibers even provide better performance in terms of crack resistance and ductility compared with today’s common additives. A typical case of upgrading a recycled material to a functional additive with added value.
Systems for the safe production of battery compounds
Adapted to the customer’s needs and requirements, Zeppelin develops tailor-made solutions for handling raw materials to produce battery compounds. The raw materials required for this are not only expensive, but also harmful to health. The strictest requirements and extensive experience in hazardous substance handling (including in the areas of ATEX and containment) are therefore mandatory. Extensive process engineering expertise in the storage, conveying, dosing, and mixing of raw materials is also a basic prerequisite for an optimal production result. Maximum precision and traceability in the production process are quality criteria that must be met. Zeppelin Systems boasts an impressive track record in this area with its many years of experience. Throughout the entire project cycle – from engineering and assembly to commissioning and subsequent fine adjustment in the technical center with product trials – Zeppelin Systems provides solutions. In summary, this means:
- individual customer solutions for optimal processes, maximum product quality, and long life cycles
- energy-saving and environmentally-friendly processes
- a high level of safety throughout the entire production process
- high-quality filter solutions and aspiration systems in all process stages and generally high-quality design for minimal emissions of dust, odors, and noise.
- automation solutions to increase process efficiency, reduce downtime, material loss and production errors.
Group IT Services
The Strategic Management Center (SMC) Group IT Services (GRIT) supports all strategic business units in a cross-functional manner, bringing together expertise in the Zeppelin Group from the areas of IT, data, infrastructure, security and compliance, and digital product development. With GRIT, the Group is putting in place a consistent IT landscape based on an infrastructure which is standardized across all disciplines. Zeppelin Digit facilitates collaboration across all SBUs and departments on an interdisciplinary, transparent, and open basis.
