Swiss company Autech is playing a major role in one of Germany’s most significant infrastructure projects with its special machines: the construction of the SouthLink pipeline, which transports renewable energy from Northern to the Southern Germany. On 11 September, Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Robert Habeck marked the beginning of this large-scale project with a groundbreaking ceremony in Wewelsfleth, Schleswig-Holstein, near the river Elbe.

Autech is building the vehicle used in the construction of the 5.2-kilometre-long tunnel situated beneath the Elbe, with an interior diameter of four meters. The same vehicle will subsequently be used for inspecting and monitoring the pipeline's route, its lighting, suspension, and the functionality of the cables. moves on the same track as the tunnel boring machine and can use cameras for inspecting the pipeline deep beneath the riverbed.

Niclas Lorenzen, CEO of Autech, emphasised that "we are delighted to be involved in one of the largest and most important infrastructure projects". The company's
outstanding skill set and expertise in specialised machinery manufacturing were crucial factors in awarding the contract to Autech.