Press releases | 13/11/2025

German premiere for Liebherr’s most powerful High-Top crane: 1188 EC-H 40 Fibre supports major RWE project in Hürth

First deployment of the most powerful EC-H series tower crane in Germany
The Liebherr 1188 EC-H 40 Fibre impresses with high load capacity, innovative fibre rope and flexible configuration
RWE invests around 80 million euros in a CO₂-neutral sewage sludge mono-incineration plant

A Liebherr 1188 EC-H 40 Fibre is being used for the first time in Germany during the construction of RWE’s new sewage sludge mono-incineration plant in Hürth. The most powerful tower crane in Liebherr’s EC-H series was assembled by WASEL and is supporting the installation of heavy components in confined site conditions. With its innovative fibre technology and impressive lifting capacities, the crane is making a decisive contribution to the progress of the project.

RWE is investing around 80 million euros in the construction of a CO₂-neutral sewage sludge mono-incineration plant at its Knapsacker Berg site. From 2026 onwards, the facility will thermally process around 180,000 tonnes of municipal sewage sludge per year, providing a sustainable disposal solution for the region. For the complex lifting operations on site, the project team is relying on the Liebherr 1188 EC-H 40 Fibre.

An innovative crane for the heaviest loads

A key feature of this crane is its innovative fibre rope, which offers numerous advantages over conventional steel rope. Special foundation work and sensitive lifting operations.

“In addition to around 40% higher peak lifting capacities, the fibre rope provides up to four times the service life, resulting in greater efficiency under the same operating conditions,” explains Michael Klein, Project Manager at WASEL Tower Cranes. The rope is also significantly lighter, making handling easier and improving safety on site.

In Hürth, the 1188 EC-H 40 Fibre has been erected with a hook height of 60 metres and a jib length of 75 metres. Its performance figures reflect the scale of the project: with a 24 metre radius, the crane lifts up to 40 tonnes, even at the radius of 75 metres, the 1188 EC-H Fibre can handle up to 12.9 tonnes. These capacities make it ideal for the transport and installation of heavy plant components that must be positioned with utmost precision and safety.

Teamwork ensures smooth crane assembly

At the end of 2024, the 1188 EC-H Fibre was assembled by WASEL’s experienced installation team using a 450 tonnes mobile crane. Erecting the crane in the heart of the plant site required meticulous logistical planning and close coordination between WASEL, Liebherr Tower Crane Solutions, and RWE’s project partners. The crane is expected to remain in operation until the facility’s completion, supporting all major assembly tasks.

For RWE, this project marks an important milestone in its strategic transformation. The Hürth site is gradually being converted from fossil-based energy production to sustainable technologies. The use of the Liebherr 1188 EC-H High-Top crane highlights how modern lifting technology can make a significant contribution to the realisation of large-scale energy transition projects of national importance.