Linde Material Handling is strengthening its commitment in the segment of explosion-protected forklifts for use in Ex-protection zones. The market for ATEX-certified industrial trucks has recorded continuous growth over several years, driven by stricter EU regulations on occupational safety in explosion-hazardous areas and increasing demand from the chemical, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. The manufacturer's portfolio covers various zone classifications and is aimed at operators working in atmospheres with flammable gases, vapors, or dusts.

Explosion-protected forklifts must comply with the European ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU – a requirement that demands design-specific features such as flame-proof enclosures, temperature-monitored motors, and spark-free electrical systems. Linde offers appropriately equipped models for different zones: from Zone 1 and 2 (gas atmospheres) to Zone 21 and 22 (dust atmospheres). Application areas range from paint shops to refineries to recycling facilities for lithium-ion batteries, where material handling takes place under strict safety supervision.

In competition with providers such as Jungheinrich and Toyota, Linde positions itself through consulting services for zone classification and retrofitting options for existing fleets. While Jungheinrich increasingly focuses on electrified solutions that are also suitable for Ex areas, Linde focuses on a broad range of drive and protection concepts – including diesel, gas, and electric forklifts with corresponding certifications.

The European market for ATEX industrial trucks benefits additionally from the increasing implementation of the EU Taxonomy for sustainable business activities, which favors investments in modern, safe, and low-emission handling equipment. For operators of chemical plants and pharmaceutical manufacturers, this means a modernization wave: older, non-certified equipment is being replaced by ATEX-compliant new equipment, which secures orders for manufacturers such as Linde, Jungheinrich, and Toyota.

Industry observers expect that the share of electrically powered Ex-forklifts will increase significantly over the next three years – driven by emissions requirements in closed production halls and the integration of telematics systems to monitor operating hours and maintenance cycles. Linde has announced that it will continuously adapt its certifications to new EU standards and expand its service network for ATEX equipment across Europe.

Outlook: The next development step lies in the combination of ATEX compliance with autonomous driving functions – an area where first pilot projects are running in refineries, but have not yet reached market maturity. Approval of driverless operation in Ex-zones presents a regulatory challenge that is unlikely to be resolved before 2028.

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