Electric Gantry Cranes for Steel Scrap Handling
voestalpine deploys four Liebherr LH 150 T Gantry Industry E machines to optimize scrap logistics at the Linz steelworks. www.liebherr.com As part of its "greentec steel" decarbonization initiative, voestalpine has commissioned four Liebherr LH 150 T Gantry Industry E electric material handlers at its Linz production site in Austria. These heavy-duty units are engineered to support the forthcoming transition to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking by maintaining a continuous supply of processed scrap metal. The machines operate on an electric drive system, providing zero-emission performance to align with the plant’s carbon reduction strategy. Hardware Configuration and Operational Reach The LH 150 T Gantry Industry E units feature a 440 kW electric motor and a bespoke boom-stick geometry—comprising a 16-metre straight boom and an angled stick—that delivers an operational reach of 32 metres, a first for this machine class. Each machine possesses an operating mass of 210 tonnes and utilizes a specialized rail-mounted gantry undercarriage. This "T" (Track) configuration allows rail wagons to pass beneath the gantry structure, facilitating concurrent loading and unloading operations without obstructing the internal rail logistics. Efficiency and Integration The material handlers incorporate the proprietary Liebherr energy recovery system, which recaptures energy during the lowering of the load to improve overall electrical efficiency. The power supply is managed through a cable winding system utilizing integrated fiber-optic cables for robust, interference-free communication. The deployment of these units signifies a milestone in the partnership between Liebherr and voestalpine, with the most recent delivery representing the 100th machine supplied to the group. The facility currently operates two units on the eastern yard, with two additional machines scheduled for commissioning in September 2026. Additional Context: This section details technical specifications not included in the original announcement In high-intensity scrap handling operations, the efficiency of an electric material handler is determined by its duty cycle and the power density of its drivetrain. Unlike diesel-hydraulic machines, the electric LH 150 T Gantry utilizes direct grid-fed power, eliminating the energy losses associated with fuel combustion and hydraulic pressure regulation. The 440 kW motor provides consistent torque during high-acceleration phases of the slew and hoist cycles. The "gantry" architecture is essential for EAF (Electric Arc Furnace) plants because it optimizes the "footprint-to-reach" ratio. In a standard yard layout, the gantry allows for high-density storage (stacking scrap higher and deeper) while maintaining access for rail wagons beneath the structure. By enabling rail cars to transit directly under the crane, the plant reduces the cycle time for wagon shunting, which is the primary bottleneck in large-scale scrap recycling logistics. Edited by Lekshman Ramdas, Induportals editor – adapted by AI. www.liebherr.com Powered by Induportals Media Publishing
machineryasia 
voestalpine deploys four Liebherr LH 150 T Gantry Industry E machines to optimize scrap logistics at the Linz steelworks.
www.liebherr.com
As part of its "greentec steel" decarbonization initiative, voestalpine has commissioned four Liebherr LH 150 T Gantry Industry E electric material handlers at its Linz production site in Austria. These heavy-duty units are engineered to support the forthcoming transition to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking by maintaining a continuous supply of processed scrap metal. The machines operate on an electric drive system, providing zero-emission performance to align with the plant’s carbon reduction strategy.
Hardware Configuration and Operational Reach
The LH 150 T Gantry Industry E units feature a 440 kW electric motor and a bespoke boom-stick geometry—comprising a 16-metre straight boom and an angled stick—that delivers an operational reach of 32 metres, a first for this machine class. Each machine possesses an operating mass of 210 tonnes and utilizes a specialized rail-mounted gantry undercarriage. This "T" (Track) configuration allows rail wagons to pass beneath the gantry structure, facilitating concurrent loading and unloading operations without obstructing the internal rail logistics.
Efficiency and Integration
The material handlers incorporate the proprietary Liebherr energy recovery system, which recaptures energy during the lowering of the load to improve overall electrical efficiency. The power supply is managed through a cable winding system utilizing integrated fiber-optic cables for robust, interference-free communication. The deployment of these units signifies a milestone in the partnership between Liebherr and voestalpine, with the most recent delivery representing the 100th machine supplied to the group. The facility currently operates two units on the eastern yard, with two additional machines scheduled for commissioning in September 2026.
Additional Context: This section details technical specifications not included in the original announcement
In high-intensity scrap handling operations, the efficiency of an electric material handler is determined by its duty cycle and the power density of its drivetrain. Unlike diesel-hydraulic machines, the electric LH 150 T Gantry utilizes direct grid-fed power, eliminating the energy losses associated with fuel combustion and hydraulic pressure regulation. The 440 kW motor provides consistent torque during high-acceleration phases of the slew and hoist cycles. The "gantry" architecture is essential for EAF (Electric Arc Furnace) plants because it optimizes the "footprint-to-reach" ratio. In a standard yard layout, the gantry allows for high-density storage (stacking scrap higher and deeper) while maintaining access for rail wagons beneath the structure. By enabling rail cars to transit directly under the crane, the plant reduces the cycle time for wagon shunting, which is the primary bottleneck in large-scale scrap recycling logistics.
Edited by Lekshman Ramdas, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.
www.liebherr.com
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