Sandvik Unveils Non-Functional EV to Highlight Mining's Role
Sandvik's transparent EV installation removes all mined materials to prove mining's role in green tech. A B2B storytelling case study generating 320+ media mentions.
Swedish engineering group Sandvik and creative agency BBDO Nordics have unveiled eNimon, a transparent, non-functional electric vehicle installation at Stockholm's National Museum of Science and Technology. The full-scale art piece, deliberately constructed without any mined metals or minerals, cannot move or operate, serving as a physical demonstration of mining's essential role in green technology.
Mining's Invisible Role Made Visible
The installation confronts visitors with a stark reality. Over 90% of an average electric vehicle consists of mining-derived materials, according to campaign data. By removing essential elements like lithium, copper, nickel, and cobalt, eNimon becomes a hollow framework that illustrates what disappears without mining infrastructure.
"We wanted to create an electric car that lacks everything that makes an electric car possible," explained Isaac Bonnier, Art Director at BBDO Nordics. "Building a full-scale 'nothing' was a real challenge, but that's exactly the point."
The numbers behind the installation are significant. Electric vehicles require six times more mineral inputs than conventional vehicles. Meeting net-zero 2050 goals will require five times more lithium, nickel, and cobalt than current production levels. Wind farms need nine times more minerals than gas plants to generate equivalent energy.
Strategic Messaging for Industrial Brands
The eNimon project represents what Sandvik calls "engineering as storytelling." Rather than traditional corporate communications about mining technology, the installation uses physical presence to communicate complex supply chain dependencies. The approach builds on Sandvik's 2022 Impossible Statue, an AI-engineered sculpture that merged multiple artistic styles and earned recognition at Cannes Lions and the Clio Awards.
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"Sustainable mining is the backbone of the green transition," said Mats Eriksson, President of Sandvik Mining. "Without it, we can't meet climate goals."
The campaign's museum placement provides credibility and extended visibility. Since launching in October 2025, eNimon has generated over 320 media mentions globally, demonstrating how physical installations can amplify B2B messaging beyond traditional channels.
Implications for Asian Markets
The campaign's focus on mining's role in electrification carries particular relevance for Asian markets, where mineral extraction and EV manufacturing intersect. Sandvik, which generated SEK 123 billion (approximately US$11.5 billion) in revenue during 2024 with 41,000 employees globally, positions sustainable mining technology as critical infrastructure for regional green transitions.
The installation approach offers a blueprint for Asian agencies working with industrial clients. By making invisible supply chain dependencies visible through non-functional installations, brands can communicate technical narratives without relying on dense corporate messaging. The strategy transforms abstract industrial processes into concrete visual experiences that media and audiences can engage with directly.
For B2B marketers in manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure sectors, eNimon demonstrates how physical storytelling can elevate brand messaging beyond specification sheets and capability presentations. The campaign positions mining not as an environmental challenge to be minimized, but as essential infrastructure enabling sustainable technology adoption.
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