Master thesis - End of life of heavy offroad construction vehicles
Eskilstuna, SE, 405 08 Arvika, SE, 671 30 Stockholm, SE, 405 08 Braås, SE, 363 41 Hallsberg, SE, 694 82 Göteborg, SE, 417 15
Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match.
Thesis background
Construction equipment such as wheel loaders, articulated haulers, and excavators are designed for long lifetimes and high durability. Yet, over decades of use, these machines often circulate through multiple owners and across global markets — from Europe to regions with less-developed regulatory systems. Once they leave the original market, little is known about their continued use, condition, or how and where they eventually reach end-of-life.
Understanding these real-world equipment flows is crucial to improving reuse, refurbishment, and recycling opportunities — key pillars of a circular economy. For manufacturers and policymakers alike, credible data on where machines go, how long they operate, and what happens when they are retired can unlock major resource efficiency and sustainability gains.
This thesis is intended to be a part of a multi-stakeholder research project that is exploring the circularity potential of end of life of heavy offroad construction vehicles.
Thesis purpose
- This thesis aims to analyze the global movements of construction equipment and attachments (e.g. tiltrotators) throughout their lifecycles. The thesis work could explore one or several of the below areas:
- How and why machines move between markets (e.g. EU exports to Africa or Asia).
- What share remains within regulated markets versus exported to less-regulated ones.
- Typical age, condition, and retirement patterns at end-of-use (EoU) and end-of-life (EoL).
- How such patterns affect opportunities for refurbishment, parts reuse, and recycling.
The project may combine literature review, secondary data (e.g. trade or ownership statistics), and expert interviews with stakeholders from Volvo CE and other research partners. A more detailed description of the thesis will be co-developed together with research partners.
Expected outcome
The thesis could deliver a data-driven mapping of construction equipment flows, highlighting where circular opportunities are most viable and where risks of material leakage arise. Results will provide valuable input for circular business development and sustainability improvement within Volvo CE and beyond.
Qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated student with:
- Background in industrial engineering, supply chain management, economics, circular economy, sustainability, or similar.
- Strong analytical and research skills; experience with data collection or mapping tools is an advantage.
- Interest in circular economy, manufacturing industries, or global trade.
- Ability to work independently and interact with multiple stakeholders.
More Information:
Location: Flexible in Sweden, with occasional visits to our office in Eskilstuna, Sweden
Start: January–February 2026 (flexible)
Application deadline: November 30, 2025
Position type: Student
Number of students: 1
Thesis level: Master, 30 ECTS
Background: Circular Economy, Economics, Engineering, Industrial Management, Sustainability, or similar
Language: English
Contact: Sander Jahilo, Head of Resource Sustainability, Volvo CE, sander.jahilo@volvo.com
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Who we are and what we believe in
We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.
Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment.
Part of Volvo Group, Volvo Construction Equipment is a global company driven by our purpose to build the world we want to live in. Together we develop and deliver solutions for a cleaner, smarter, and more connected world. By unleashing everyone’s full potential, we build a more sustainable future for all our stakeholders. Come join our team and help us build a better tomorrow.