Listicles | 2026/05/13

Five ways Liebherr is shaping the future

Liebherr develops and manufactures technologies for a wide range of industries and applications. Digitalisation, sustainable solutions, research, and the qualification of employees play a central role in this context. The following five examples illustrate selected approaches through which the Group is shaping its future development and highlight the areas of particular focus in 2025.

We invested €708 million in R&D activities in 2025, driving innovation across machines, components and technologies.

1. Research and development

Innovation is a core pillar at Liebherr, underscored by the Group’s clear commitment to research and development. In the 2025 business year, Liebherr invested €708 million in research and development activities. These investments were directed towards new machines, components, digital solutions and forward-looking technologies. Key areas of focus included autonomy, alternative drive technologies, electrification, as well as the digitalisation of products and services. Close cooperation with universities, higher education institutions and research organisations further strengthens the Group’s innovative capacity.

Through assistance systems, such as the Positioning Pilot, crane performance reaches new levels of efficiency and automation.

2. Assistance systems

As outlined above, research and development play a central role at Liebherr. One particular focus is the development of digital solutions for machines. In 2025, numerous digital solutions were developed, including assistance systems for tower cranes that compensate for load sway, detect safety-relevant situations at an early stage and enable semi-automated movements. These modern assistance systems support operators in working with greater precision, safety and efficiency.

Liebherr is pioneering alternative drive technologies with the first hydrogen wheel loader - powered by LiGO Injection Systems.

3. Alternative drive technologies

Alternative drive technologies represent another key area of research. In 2025 a key milestone was achieved with the first wheel loader powered by a hydrogen engine, which is already in field operation. Central to this development is the in-house LiGO Injection Systems technology, which enables flexible injection of alternative fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, ethanol or ammonia. At the same time, Liebherr presented a broad range of electrically operated machines – from battery-electric crawler excavators and fully electric cranes through to mobile energy storage systems for construction sites.

Liebherr‘s Reman programme gives engines and transmissions a second life while saving raw materials and CO₂.

4. Reman programme

Alongside the development of new technologies, the responsible handling of existing products is also a key element of Liebherr’s sustainability strategy. For Liebherr, sustainability therefore also means keeping machines and components in operation for as long as possible.

A central component of this approach is the remanufacturing programme. Used components such as engines or gearboxes are completely dismantled, inspected, reconditioned and restored to an as-new condition. This approach helps to reduce the demand for new raw materials and lowers CO₂ emissions across the product life cycle. At the same time, customers benefit from an economically attractive and technically tested alternative to purchasing new components.

With 3,186 interns and apprentices worldwide, Liebherr is developing the skilled workforce of tomorrow.

5. Promoting young talent

Success is built on the people who develop and implement innovations. For this reason, Liebherr places great importance on education and further training. In 2025, the Group employed 3,186 interns, apprentices and trainees worldwide.

Through apprenticeships, dual study programmes and a wide range of entry-level opportunities, Liebherr systematically promotes young talent and creates sustainable career prospects. This strengthens the skilled labour base, supports knowledge transfer and enhances the long-term viability of the Group.

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Contacts

Anja Schenk

Liebherr-International AG

General-Guisanstrasse 6
5415 Nussbaumen
Switzerland

+41 79 530 43 71