The Junttan PMx2e, powered by a 392 kWh high-voltage battery system, was deployed at the Ardrossan Community Campus site in North Ayrshire, a flagship education development led by Morgan Sindall. 

The Junttan PMx2e rig, produces zero local CO2 emissions and operates with less noise pollution. This marks the first time a fully battery-powered pile driving rig has been used in  the UK. 

The PMx2e which features a replaceable battery pack, provides up to 8 hours of piling per charge. By optimising the use of the two batteries, the PMx2e is capable of providing a full working day of productivity. The Junttan PMx2e was supplied to site with a 40kW portable outdoor charger reducing the power requirement on site.

Fitted with a 5 Ton accelerated hammer and a maximum pile length capability of 20 metres, the PMx2e has a total operating weight of 63 tonnes. It delivers powerful performance while maintaining a compact footprint and low noise output, making it ideal for sensitive environments like schools and urban developments. 

The rig was trialled at a Morgan Sindall Construction site where RBL is installing 581 driven steel tubular piles to depths of 9.0m to 16.0m below ground level. The site’s challenging ground conditions, reclaimed industrial land with aggressive made ground, required a robust  solution. Driven steel tubular piles were selected for their ability to penetrate the bedrock giving the project a solid foundation solution. 

Sustainability was central to every aspect of the project. RBL utilised repurposed tubular steel from John Lawrie Tubulars. The total saving across the project equates to 1,622 tonnes of CO₂, which has been formally verified by the intelligent carbon reduction tool, CarboniCa, which measures the whole life carbon emissions of a building including carbon produced  during construction, manufacturing materials, the building’s use and deconstruction. 

Further supporting the low-carbon approach, RBL also used an electric forklift from Sunbelt Rentals, ensuring that site logistics aligned with the project’s sustainability goals. 

The Ardrossan Community Campus, which will house both Winton Primary and Ardrossan Academy, is a key educational development for the region. RBL’s early involvement began in summer 2022, providing geotechnical advice to Blyth & Blyth Consulting Engineers and working closely with Morgan Sindall Construction to develop a cost-effective and resilient piling solution. 

This project not only showcases RBL’s technical expertise in institutional construction sector  but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable innovation in the UK piling industry.