ADVANCING UNDERGROUND PERFORMANCE with Proven Solutions for Tunnelling
CERTIFIED FIRE SUPPRESSION in Tunnels and Mines
TUNNEL DESIGN with Global Experience and Local Knowledge
DELIVERY OF OILS AND LUBRICANTS Should not be Noticed
Less Downtime with SMART TORQUE LIMITER
At the World Tunnel Congress 2025 in Stockholm 9–15 May the goal is to make all forms of underground construction visible, with a technical conference, seminars and an exhibition.
When the World Tunnel Congress (WTC 2025) is held in Stockholm 9–15 May it is about more than just tunnels. The idea is to make all forms of underground construction visible, with a technical conference, seminars and an exhibition. During the WTC 2025 the Swedish organizers will also take the opportunity to highlight Swedish mining industry, machine manufacturers, technology and methods for underground work.
BY LARS-OLOF TANDBERG
– THE WORLD TUNNEL CONGRESS is the occasion of the year when the industry from all over the world gathers. It is about more than just tunnels, the idea is to make all forms of underground construction visible, says Per Vedin, chairman of the Swedish Rock Engineering Association and vice chairman of the organizing committee for WTC 2025.
The World Tunnel Congress is held every year by the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association (ITA). ITA is an international trade association with 80 member countries and 219 corporate and individual members. The Swedish Rock Engineering Association is Sweden's representative in ITA.
This year’s congress will take place at Stockholmsmässan 9–15 May and consists of two parts. ITA's internal work takes place during the WTC where the association holds its annual meeting, and the various working groups meet for deliberations.
– Current issues are prepared during the rest of the year when the board and working groups have digital meetings. It is at the WTC that everyone meets physically, and the decisions are made.
The second part of the WTC is about making underground work visible with a technical conference, with seminars and an exhibition over three days 12–14 May. As this year's congress is held in Stockholm
"Swedish fika", the Swedish version of a coffee break, is of course offered in connection with the exhibition.
That is just one example of the organizer's goal to highlight Sweden as a country and not least Sweden's long history as a leading country in terms of technical development and innovation in underground construction.
On their web page the Swedish organizers of WTC 2025 notes that more than a hundred years ago Sweden was the cradle where new technologies were nurtured, with dynamite, effective machinery and production methods.
Sweden’s experience of underground construction dates back more than a century.
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This development is sometimes referred to as being a result of good rock conditions and close cooperation between owners, consultants, contractors and machinery manufacturers.
Examples of early use of the underground, other than for mining purposes, include hydroelectric power plants, traffic tunnels and military facilities, including public shelters. The knowledge that has been gained has during the last century been shared with and then refined by the rest of the world.
Despite being a relatively small country Sweden is still leading the way. Current examples are the construction of one of the most complex underground road tunnel networks, the Stockholm bypass, a new metro with one of the deepest underground stations in the world, only accessible by elevators, and large rock caverns to store liquid hydrogen with the purpose to produce fossil free steel.
– The most recent congresses have focused on sustainability and reducing climate impact. In addition to that, we also want to showcase the Swedish mining industry and manufacturers of machines. These are areas where we are world leaders and we are often first adopters of new technology such as electric drive, batteries, autonomous machines and more. We have machine and equipment manufacturers such as Sandvik, Epiroc and Volvo. We want to highlight the width that is not found anywhere else, says Per Vedin.
He points out that the mining industry is the first step before infrastructure. The techniques and machines that the mining industry develops often comes to use in the construction industry.
– Even though some countries are ahead of us in technology development today, we want to show what Sweden have done historically and how we have contributed to the development of the industry. Sweden was also involved in forming the ITA 50 years ago, but we have never had the WTC in Sweden, so it was about time we got the chance.
On the last day of WTC 2025, several study visits are organized to show both historical and modern rock construction in Sweden. Some examples are the Stockholm bypass, the sewage treatment plants in Sickla and Henriksdal, the Dannemora mine, the new Stockholm subway and Epiroc's test mines in Örebro and Sickla.
To show Sweden's long history in rock construction, the congress participants can also visit the area at Vinterviken, where Alfred Nobel had his factory for the development and manufacturing of dynamite.
Hosting and organizing an event of this magnitude not only means opportunity, it also means financial risk-taking. The Swedish Rock Engineering Association started the process of applying to host WTC 2025 during the pandemic.
– When we submitted the application in
– We want to show what Sweden have done historically and how we have contributed to the development of the industry, says Per Vedin, chairman of the Swedish Rock Engineering Association.
2021, we knew it was a financial risk for the association, but we also saw the possibilities. Given the pandemic, we thought that the competition to host would not be as great as usual. Then it turned out that we were the only country to apply. It also meant that we saved the entire organization. If no one had arranged WTC 2025, ITA would miss out on income and find it difficult to continue its operations, says Per Vedin.
The World Tunnel Congress is organized every year by the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association (ITA) together with a national organization in the host country. ITA is an international trade association with 80 member countries and 219 corporate and individual members. Last year the WTC was held in Shenzhen in China, in 2025 it is Stockholm's turn and in 2026 Montreal in Canada will be the host city.
Leading infrastructure consulting firm AECOM has professionals working in different regions across the world. That international experience of best practise is combined with local knowledge when a new design project is taken on.
AECOM BRINGS global experience to the projects it delivers. When it comes to tunnelling, the company has professional specialists working in different regions across the world.
– We work together, and we share best practise and know-how. We have global knowledge of what works well, and lessons learned, which allows us to share and apply what we learn to all our projects, says Steve Woodrow, Global Practice Tunnelling Lead for AECOM.
AECOM’s ‘Think and Act Globally’ strategy is focused on extending the company’s industry-leading, global expertise to each of its projects around the world, and this has worked well in Sweden.
For example, for the Stockholm bypass tunnel, AECOM used a combination of tunnelling specialists from the UK, who brought technical expertise to the design, and local resources who brought local knowledge and understanding including ground conditions and construction support.
– We have almost 30 people in Sweden, working on multidisciplinary infrastructure projects. They bring valuable local experience, understand the market, and know our clients well. To that, we add our international expertise—and at times, we can bring in professionals from other regions to support projects, leveraging AECOM’s collective knowledge for the benefit of our clients. Still, the local team always leads and owns the project.
AECOM delivers large-scale infrastructure projects and recognises that close collaboration is essential for success, with client, contractors and consultants working closely together.
– Nowadays, large projects are often split into geographic or discipline-specific packages—or sometimes a combination of both. A good example is the London Power Tunnels Phase 2 (LPT Phase 2) scheme, where National Grid has split the scheme into six main works packages on a discipline basis. On LPT Phase 2 we are the lead designer, supporting HOCHTIEF-MURPHY Joint Venture (HMJV) on the Tunnels and Shafts package as well as the Headhouses and associated M&E Systems, says Steve Woodrow.
Package 1 covered the enabling works, Package 2 included all tunnels and shafts, Package 3 focused on the supply and jointing of the high-voltage cables and equipment, Package 4 is the installation of the HV cables, Package 5 is the Headhouses and the Mechanical and Electrical systems, and Package 6 covers the electrical substations.
– The end client, National Grid, did a great job of establishing a contract framework, utilizing the NEC contract as well as the Project 13 Enterprise philosophy, that encouraged cooperation among the various contractors delivering these packages.
One strategy used to support this collaboration was the creation of an ‘enterprise pot’ —a shared pool of funding that allowed incentivization of performance and collaboration between contractors as needed. In addition, if a contractor was facing delays or challenges or if there were changing external requirements upon the scheme, tasks could be shifted between contractors to keep the overall project on track.
Woodrow shares a concrete example in this regard from LPT Phase 2. “National Grid’s approach to collaboration allowed for work to be moved from one project package to another for the benefit of the project. For example, once the tunnelling works for Package 2 were complete, the permanent shaft cable support steelwork at some sites originally included in the cable installation package was transferred into the tunnelling package so as to provide project savings on programme as well as provide health, safety and sustainability benefits. National Grid’s approach to the packaging of the works and the contract encouraged this to happen. This approach not only saved valuable time and reduced pressure on individual
teams, but also strengthened a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset across the project.”
AECOM is committed to reducing carbon in its designs. Using low carbon materials is important in design, but there are also ways to minimise carbon in how you build.
– For example, some of the temporary works needed during a project can be built so that they become part of the finished structure. In addition to the environmental benefits, this approach can often also deliver a more efficient building process, claims Steve Woodrow.
He also points out that when excavating tunnels, there's a lot of material that needs to be transported. Should it be done by road, by boat or by rail? Are there other alternatives or does it even need to leave the site? Can the excavated material be crushed and used in concrete or for landscaping on site?
– A lot of these solutions that are beneficial for the environment must be considered during the tender design phases. Early involvement is key to helping clients reduce the carbon footprint from the outset.
In the case of LPT Phase 2, AECOM worked collaboratively with National Grid, HMJV and other specialist partners (such as Wagners and OtB Concrete) to develop the use of low carbon alternatives to traditional construction materials. They undertook an extensive programme of trialling and testing of “Earth Friendly Concrete”, firstly for temporary works and then, following further technical review and testing, for permanent works, resulting in what is understood to be the world’s largest single continuous concrete pour of Earth Friendly Concrete for the shaft base slab at Hurst, saving over 80 tonnes of CO2 in the process.
On complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, AECOM often operates as an extension to the client’s or the contractor’s team, frequently within a joint venture framework. This approach fosters close collaboration and seamless integration. In many cases – during site meetings, workshops or other collaborative settings – it can be difficult to distinguish between team members from different organizations, as everyone works together as one unified team. AECOM professionals integrate fully with partner teams to promote effective cooperation and ensure shared project goals are achieved.
AECOM has developed its own model to manage its design work, which is then tailored to suit the specific needs of the project. In the case of the LPT Phase 2, a progressive design assurance approach was adopted. This approach includes a number of stages in the design process with hold points where all parties get to review and comment on the design proposals at key points. This allowed for increased certainty in the design and approval process and meant that the AECOM team met all of the delivery dates against what was a challenging programme.
– At each stage of the design, we invite all stakeholders into the conversation before we progress a design further. We present our concept to the client, the contractors, the operator and any other parties with a vested interest in the project. This helps to ensure alignment across the board and allows us to receive immediate feedback on our designs, tells Steve Woodrow.
Creating these hold-points and prompting early questions reduces the risk of reworking later. This approach leads to more
appropriate designs from the outset and enables a more efficient workflow for all project participants.
– As the project progresses, the number and impact of those questions naturally reduces. That gives us more certainty in delivery, says Woodrow. Building in these opportunities for questions and feedback is a valuable part of our design process that brings many benefits to wider project delivery.
For this approach to be effective, the right conditions need to be in place. That means a well-structured project led by a forward-thinking client, supported by collaborative and progressive contractors, and a culture that integrates all stakeholders as part of one cohesive team.
– Ultimately, our role at AECOM is focused on helping clients manage and mitigate risk, concludes Steve Woodrow. We do that by applying the right tools, engaging the right expertise, and creating the right environment to deliver projects on time and within budget —solving our client’s most complex challenges along the way.
In recent years Saint-Gobain has strengthened its position in construction chemicals through the acquisitions of Chryso and GCP. Chryso offers a wide range of specialty construction chemicals such as cement additives, concrete admixtures and fibers, whilst GCP has a comprehensive portfolio of specialty building materials, including solutions for waterproofing and water control. In February 2025 the Group also acquired Fosroc, a leading global construction chemicals player.
Eric Lempereur, Vice President of Specialty Building Materials and Mergers and Aquisition's, and Gustavo Blazquez, Concrete BU Director, share how Chryso, GCP and Fosroc are expanding their solutions for underground construction and getting closer than ever to customers. By combining innovations and talented teams, Chryso, GCP and Fosroc can deliver high-performance solutions that effectively protect and support vital structures around the world.
Why are construction chemicals vital for underground construction?
Construction chemicals play a vital role in enhancing the efficiency and durability of underground construction projects, providing solutions for challenges like water ingress, structural stability, and harsh environmental conditions. We have an extensive offer for tunnelling, comprised of innovative and proven-effective products and services for concrete, shotcrete, waterproofing and injection solutions.
Why are we trusted globally in underground construction projects?
With decades of knowledge, experience, and innovation, Chryso, GCP and Fosroc are trusted partners in delivering robust, durable results for underground construction projects. Our products are designed for high performance, validated by a long-standing and global track record, and supported by expert design, technical and site teams.
What solutions are available to address challenges in underground construction?
Chryso, GCP and now Fosroc can develop products that combine high technology, performance and durability.
Waterproofing & injection solutions:
• PREPRUFE® waterproofing membrane, a category creating, fully bonded, high-performance waterproofing solution that provides continuous and durable protection preventing lateral water migration
• DE NEEF® injection solutions are durable, long-lasting and help to save time in underground construction projects. The new DE NEEF® resins maintain the same performance standards while reducing their carbon footprint by 5%-10% (kg CO2 e per kg of product)
compared to the previous generation
• INTEGRITANK® spray applied, advanced waterproofing system combines quick, simple application with long term effective protection for critical infrastructure.
• Proofex® range incorporates robust fully bonded solutions as well as highly flexible loose laid membranes and drainage systems
Renderoc® concrete repair range provides fast setting, high strength, high-build solutions for tunneling applications
Concrete admixtures & fibers:
• EnviroMix® technology, which enables the formulation of concrete with cements with a reduced carbon footprint, or the use of new binders.
• Chryso®Tera, a specific range of superplasticizers combining products and services for tunnel segment production
• Chryso®Jet and Chryso®Tytro alkali free (or alkali) shotcrete accelerator ranges enable ultimate strengths and rebound performances.
• Sprayset HBL, Fosroc’s high performance shotcrete accelerators. These provide a faster set to concrete and are effective even when using concretes with replacement cements
• Chryso®TBM backfill solutions benefit from decades of expertise in mix design, testing and in-field support.
• Adfil®Durus EasyShot and Adfil®Ignis synthetic fibers, a dedicated range of proven anti-fire spalling fibers and for shotcrete applications with our expertise in adapted mix designs, especially for tunnel segments.
Digital services:
• Verifi®: A unique AI-based product designed to control concrete rheology in transit
• Chryso®Maturix a global & digital service offer to optimize the benefits of real-time concrete monitoring
High performance concrete
We offer a comprehensive range of solutions for tunneling projects: waterproofing, high performance concrete, mortars, fibers and water control & leak sealing solutions.
Below ground waterproofingsolutions & injections
When working with tunnel boring machines, you want to avoid downtime at all costs. Voith's new torque limiter SmartSet allows several temporary torque peaks without triggering the safety release. It reduces the need to stop drilling and reset the system. More up time means more drilled meters per day and ultimately better economy. An additional advantage is that SmartSet can be retrofitted to older engines.
VOITH OFFERS two types of torque limiters for tunnel boring machines (TBM) – SafeSet and SmartSet. SafeSet is a coupling between the torsion shaft of the drilling machine and the drive shaft of the motor. It consists of a twin-walled hollow sleeve that is filled with a liquid that is pressurized and friction is then created between two surfaces so that the power is transferred.
– If something happens so that the torsion shaft suddenly slows down, for example when the drill hits new material or leaves an air pocket, SafeSet prevents the high torque from being passed on, says Per-Olof Berg, CEO and Product Manager at Voith Turbo Safeset.
The SafeSet coupling has a shear ring which, when the torque reaches a preset maximum level, begins to slip so as not to pass on the high torque. If it slips too much, the ring cuts a shear tube, which causes the fluid to evacuate and reduce the pressure.
The friction surfaces are separated and the SafeSet rotates on the bearings without transmitting any torque, to protect the driveline. After the system is triggered, new fluid is added, and the pressure is pumped up.
– We have now developed the system with SmartSet, which is a mechanical function that allows the SmartSet coupling to slide in several stages before the shear tube is cut. In this way, production interruptions due to short torque peaks are avoided, explains Per-Olof Berg.
SmartSet can allow small micro-slips in the coupling by automatically turning the shear ring further, without the shear tube being cut. The SmartSet coupling can slip up to 36 degrees, depending on the size of the torque peaks and the corresponding slippage.
This allows for multiple high torque peak events before the system needs to be reset.
The number of events is difficult to estimate, but experience shows that typical slips are from two to eight degrees. If an average slip is five degrees, the coupling can slip seven times without releasing.
When the speed drops below 500 revolutions or the drill stops completely, the SmartSet coupling is reset to the initial position. If the coupling slips more than 36 degrees, the shear tube is cut, the liquid is evacuated, and the pressure is reduced.
– SmartSet protects the driveline and makes work easier for operators. There will be fewer stops to fill up fluid and pressurize
An electric motor with SafeSet torque limiter is being installed in a tunnel boring machine (TBM). Picture: Voith Turbo Safeset
it, drilling can continue, and you get more out of the machine, says Per-Olof Berg.
He points out that Voith also has SafeSet and SmartSet for other torque-limiting couplings for heavy machinery used in, for example, steel mills, crushers and mines.
CAN BE RETROFITTED
Voith cooperates with the Austrian motor manufacturer ELIN
Motoren. The company's electric motors for tunnel boring machines are available with SafeSet or SmartSet installed from the factory.
– We are now launching a concept that makes it possible to update a SafeSet clutch on an older engine with SmartSet. With our retrofit solution, the motor does not need to be removed from the machine, the coupling can be changed on site in the tunnel during a normal service stop, points out Håkan Westberg, global sales manager for Voith's torque limiters.
He notes that the main argument for using SafeSet and SmartSet is to minimize downtime for tunnel boring machines.
– Without a torque-limiting coupling, there is a high risk of damage to the driveline and, in worst case, the gearbox may break. A gearbox is not easy to change on a machine in a tunnel where space is limited.
Voith Turbo Safeset AB is located in Hudiksvall in Sweden and manufactures and develops advanced torque limiting couplings, process improving couplings and connection couplings, which are used to improve production processes and protect drivelines in rotating equipment.
The original solution for torque limiters and connection couplings was patented in 1978 by inventor Curt Falk, who also started production in Hudiksvall in 1982. Since then, the idea has been continuously developed by the company's engineers and researchers.
Since 1992, the company has been part of the Voith Group, which has 20 000 employees worldwide. Development, design, manufacturing, marketing and sales are all under one roof in Hudiksvall, while Voith's corporate network extends all over the world. The number of employees in Hudiksvall is approximately 80.
Voith Turbo Safeset AB has developed the torque limiters SafeSet and SmartSet together with colleagues at Voith in Germany.
– However, the main responsibility has been with us in Hudiksvall, where we carried out research as well as development and testing of the products. Manufacturing also takes place in Hudiksvall, says Håkan Westberg.
He says that the market for tunnel boring machines goes up and down depending on the proportion of tunnel projects. In recent years, the many projects to build subways in China have been a driving force.
– The boom in China is slowing down, but the trend shows a continued great need for tunnel boring machines. Tunneling, like other construction of infrastructure, is stable. Many countries invest in infrastructure in tough times to stimulate the economy, underlines Håkan Westberg.
He is convinced that SafeSet and SmartSet will be in great demand in the future.
– Now we will test the market and see that there is a demand. This is a well-proven technique. We have developed a prototype of SmartSet which we will show at the World Tunnel Congress in Stockholm May 9–15. All visitors are welcome to visit us in booth 13:14 for more information and discussion.
In mines and tunnels, you must be able to trust all components of a fire suppression system, because a full-blown fire in these environments has such major consequences.
Fogmaker's fire suppression system for machinery and heavy vehicles uses a PFAS-free liquid and attacks all three components that affect a fire – heat, oxygen, and fuel. It is the most tested and certified system in the world and one of only a few suppression systems certified according to the American Factory Mutual (FM 5970).
– LAST YEAR WE certified our system according to Factory Mutual (FM 5970). About twelve tests are carried out in tough environments where the system must suppress fire under different conditions, says Mario Flores who is Key Account Manager and responsible for the Construction Equipment and Mining segment at Fogmaker.
According to the FM website "HDME (Heavy Duty Mobile Equipment) includes
a large range of sizes and complexity. The smallest examples may carry a single operator and have an open cockpit. The largest include mining equipment that may have several floors, a multiplicity of hazards, and multiple occupants. FM 5970 requires the examination of complete systems: either storage and delivery, detection and control, or combined detection, control, storage, and delivery".
– We have been working hard for ten years to get this certification and we are one of few manufacturers of fire suppression systems for the tunnel and mining industry worldwide to have it.
The tests and the approval were carried out with Fogmaker's new Eco 1 liquid, which is 100 percent PFAS-free and GreenScreen™ certified at silver level.
It shows that it is possible to combine
fire protection with durability.
Mario Flores tells us that the company's fire suppression system is the most tested and certified in the world. It is also approved and certified in countries such as Australia, Sweden, and others.
– This means the name Fogmaker is widely recognized today. In the past, it was common for people in the industry to ask what we did when we met them. Now we don't need to explain anymore.
Fire depends on three components to start and keep burning – fuel, oxygen and heat. Fogmaker's system attacks all three. When the temperature in the engine compartment reaches a temperature of about 170 degrees, a hydropneumatic detector hose breaks and the pressure in the hose decreases.
When the pressure decreases, a valve on a piston accumulator is activated. It pushes out the suppressant with high pressure through special nozzles in the engine compartment, and this creates a dense fog of micro-droplets.
– The water droplets evaporate in contact with heat and expands. One liter of extinguishing fluid becomes 1,700 liters of water mist, which extinguishes the fire and pushes the oxygen out of the engine compartment, explains Mario Flores.
The water mist is sprayed out for at least 45 seconds and more if necessary. The long activation time cools the engine compart-
ment and lowers the temperature by 700 degrees in ten seconds.
– With powder-based extinguishing systems, the powder is sprayed out in a puff that extinguishes the fire. But it's still very hot in the engine compartment, which means it can easily re-ignite. With our system, the suppressant absorbs that heat and create steam that suffocates the fire, and forms a film that prevents the fire from re-igniting.
With Fogmaker's fire suppression system, it is easy to clean the engine compartment after a fire has been put out. Just rinse clean with water. With a powder extinguishing system there is a risk of corrosion on machines and components because extinguishing powders are corrosive.
Although Fogmaker's fire suppression system is fundamentally the same as when it was launched 30 years ago, the system is constantly evolving. For example, the nozzles that pushes out the extinguishing fluid during a fire have been developed for different flows and strengths.
In Europe, the pressure in the system may not exceed 100 bar. In the USA, the equivalent of the Swedish Transport Administration requires that the pressure in extinguishing systems must not exceed 65 bar.
– Our development department put a lot of work into developing nozzles that work with our two systems, 65 bar and 100 bar. These too were tested to gain FM approval. Some parts of the system had to be able to open and close several hundred times without problem. It feels good that the tests are so rigorous. In mines and tunnels, you must be able to trust all components of a fire suppression system, because a full-blown fire in these environments has such major consequences, emphasizes Mario Flores.
Another difference between different
markets is that in the US, customers often want more electronics in the system. For that reason, Fogmaker has developed a special electrical system with an alarm panel.
– In the US, they want more information, for example about incidents that do not lead to a fire. But it is important to point out that our system is not dependent on electronics. If the electrical system should not work for any reason, the fire extinguishing system will still trigger.
Companies in the mining sector are showing great interest in Fogmaker's solution. Kascco LTD carries out loading and transport for mining companies in Zambia. The company has several machines, including excavators from 25 to 250 tons and dumpers and mining trucks from 40 to 100 tons. Kascco recently switched to Fogmaker's fire suppression system on many of its machines.
FOGMAKER AT WTC 2025
Fogmaker will be present at the World Tunnel Congress 2025, which will be held in Stockholm 9–15 May. There you can meet Matthias Karlsson (Key Account Manager for mining and tunneling in the Nordic market) who can tell you about Fogmaker's fire suppression systems, security, and safety when working with machines and heavy vehicles and the technology behind it.
– That Fogmaker is ranked highly by the most demanding certification bodies worldwide shows that our fire suppression system is top class, and we are proud of that. But the best certification is that the users feel secure in knowing that the system works, says Mario Flores.
There are many opportunities to learn and share knowledge and experiences at the World Tunnel Congress in Stockholm May 9–15. On the agenda is 586 presentations covering several aspects of underground construction. New at this year’s congress is the ITA Think Tank, a round table seminar hosted by industry experts in different fields, who interacts with the participants.
THE WORLD TUNNEL Congress 2025 in Stockholm presents a comprehensive program with 586 selected presentations based on nearly 1,000 initial abstract submissions. The strong response reflects the industry’s growing engagement with sustainable development and technical innovation.
Attendees will gain insights into recent developments across mechanized tunnelling, conventional tunnelling, underground space design, and innovative tunnelling solutions. WTC 2025 introduces a new approach by aligning presentations with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering a practical framework for sustainable underground construction.
The program highlights include significant contributions addressing SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 8 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). This focus provides valuable perspectives on integrating sustainability into tunnelling projects and infrastructure development.
WTC 2025 is bringing something new to table with the live event ITA Think Tank. The Think Tank is a professionally moderated session where some key challenges are explored, hosted by industry experts in different fields to feed the conversation. With 144 round tables and 864 seats pointed to the stage with cameras following the event and the moderator interaction with the audience. There will be group discussions together with interactive digital questions to be answered.
The ITA Think Tank takes place during three days with a specific subject each day. On May 12 the subject will be sustainability.
The session will be focused on reimagining sustainability in the tunneling industry. As we build for the future, we must address the environmental impact of our progress. Guided by Katarina Malaga and Mikkel Kjaer Jensen, strategies to optimize material use and energy efficiency will be explored.
The Thin Tank will challenge the trend toward larger constructions and focus on building smarter, not bigger. The discussion will delve into integrating sustainability into every decision, from material selection to project planning. The goal is to inspire actionable solutions to reduce emissions and conserve resources.
On May 13 the topic will be Future development of the tunneling industry, to try and find answers about tomorrow’s workforce and technology.
What skills will university graduates need to thrive in our changing landscape? How can we harness the power of emerging technologies to revolutionize tunnel con-
struction? What challenges lie ahead, and how can we prepare to overcome them?
This dynamic session will dive deep into future-proofing education for the next generation of tunnel engineers, cutting-edge technological advancements shaping our industry and strategies for adapting to and leading change in tunnel construction.
On May 14 Health and safety is on the program, to address one of the most critical issues in tunneling: workplace safety. Despite the industry’s history of accidents, it has made significant strides in both technology and leadership. Now, it’s time to push even further.
Imagine a future where every tunneling project is accident-free. With the right leadership and mindset, this vision can become reality. On this day the participants can engage with world-leading safety experts, explore innovative safety solutions through interactive, playful exercises and contribute ideas to shape a safer future for our industry.
In recent years, Smörjmedelsdepån has ensured that contractors in most major tunnel projects in Stockholm have had access to oils and lubricants without having to think about handling them. At most, the company has serviced 22–25 different tunnel sites at the same time.
ON PROJECTS such as the Stockholm bypass, the new Stockholm subway and new wastewater tunnels in Stockholm, Smörjmedelsdepån has supplied and continues to supply oils and lubricants to Itinera SPA, Veidekke, OHLA, CRTG, YIT, TunnelGruppen and others.
– The fact that we have been chosen by these large international companies is not something we take for granted, but at the same time we feel that we have earned their trust. We have serviced 22–25 different tunnel sites at the same time without experiencing undercapacity. That's pretty good for a company with only three employees, states Smörjmedelsdepån's CEO Andreas Berg.
Andreas is interested in both history and philosophy and constantly tries to see connections between the past, present and future. He follows world events and economics as much as new technology and new products for tunneling.
– When the world is hit by pandemics, wars and shortages of raw materials, it is important to be prepared. We are stable as we have an industry-specific and complete range for tunnel operations. When I get indications from the market and the outside world that something is up, we increase our stocks by up to six times.
Now the tunneling in many large projects is beginning to be completed and the industry is facing a period of declining jobs. With recent years of successful service for the large tunnel projects in the bag, it is now up to Smörjmedelsdepån to convince new customers that the company is up to the task.
– It can be difficult to get large clients to understand what we are capable of. We have a small organization but behind us we have our supplier Fuchs Lubricants, which is the
world's largest independent manufacturer of oils and lubricants. They have their own production in Sweden and their warehouse is only five kilometers from our warehouse.
A strength is also that Smörjmedelsdepån functions as an overall supplier for most of its customers. In addition to lubricants they also deliver, among other things, all chemical products, batteries and other accessories and tailored distribution solutions.
Last fall Smörjmedelsdepån was elected as a member of the Swedish Rock Engineering Association.
– This means that we can participate on a deeper level and influence processes in the industry for the better, says Andreas Berg. He is proud that he and his co-workers have found the right movements and fre-
quencies in the flow that is essential in a tunneling project. If a customer places an order before ten o'clock, Smörjmedelsdepån can be on site and deliver anything from 20 liters to two 200 liters one to three hours later.
– This means the customer does not need to have verry large stocks. When no one thinks about whether there is enough oil and lubricants at the site, then we have succeeded. We become part of their cycle that just goes on, notes Andreas Berg.
När det gäller att hantera tuffa miljöer är Alvenius spiralsvetsade stålrörsystem den optimala lösningen.
Våra korrosionsskyddade system erbjuder en helhetslösning med rör, kopplingar och rördelar – oslagbara i tunnlar och andra utmanande miljöer.
Vi levererar det du behöver – i rätt tid, med rätt funktion och med en kvalitet som säkerställer en felfri drift utan avbrott eller stillestånd.
Brandsäkert och snabbt montage
Alvenius rörlösningar ger en enkel och snabb installation. Ingen svetsning, inga heta arbeten – vilket innebär att du slipper riskerna som kan uppstå vid svetsning i tunnlar.
Installationen är minst 10 gånger snabbare än med andra metoder.
Med Alvenius får du ett högpresterande system som säkerställer långsiktig hållbarhet och trygghet i drift.
Kontakta oss idag så berättar vi mer.