- HINDALCO is looking to build Aluminium railway coaches for High speed trains in India
- Hindalco-Metra SpA partnership will manufacture all Aluminium coaches for the Vande Bharat/Train 18 trains.
- Indian Railways recently Invited Tenders To Build All-Aluminum Coaches For Vande Bharat Trains
“Hindalco Industries Ltd., the world’s largest aluminium rolling and recycling company, has partnered with Italy-based Metra SpA, renowned for its expertise in producing structured and value-added aluminium extrusions, to manufacture large-size aluminium extrusion and fabrication technology for building high-speed aluminium rail coaches in India. This partnership underscores Hindalco’s leading role in supporting the Indian Government’s vision to promote superior domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Hindalco-Metra Partnership Powers Indian Railways Modernization
By combining Hindalco’s extensive experience in aluminium manufacturing with Metra’s cutting-edge knowledge in aluminium extrusion, machining, and welding, this collaboration represents a pivotal step in bringing world-class technology, currently limited to Europe, China, Japan, and a few other countries, to India. The partnership provides Hindalco with the platform to drive the ambitious modernization program of Indian Railways, which operates the world’s largest rail network.
Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries, expressed his pleasure at joining forces with Metra to usher in a new era of aluminium extrusions for passenger trains in India. He stated, “This aligns with our capacity-building efforts for aluminium in commercial vehicles, freight wagons, electric vehicles, and passenger train applications. Our combined expertise will undoubtedly enhance the efficiency, durability, and sustainability of these trains, setting new benchmarks for the Indian rail industry.”
In the railway sector, extruded aluminium plays a pivotal role by combining weight reduction and mechanical strength. Metra has 60 years of experience in producing aluminium extrusions for the transport sector. It specializes in the fabrication and machining of railway extrusions. Thus giving the Italian company additional capabilities to design and supply high-end sub-assemblies for railways.
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Enrico Zampedri, CEO of Metra SpA, enthusiastically stated, “Collaborating with Hindalco Industries presents an exciting opportunity to showcase the capabilities of our aluminium extrusion technology on a global stage. Together, we are poised to redefine aluminium extrusions for high-speed train manufacturing in India, creating a fusion of strong Italian expertise in this field and Indian market knowledge.”
Aluminium Railway Coaches for Vande Bharat/Train 18
Indian Railways is currently undergoing a dynamic transformation. The transformation spans basic infrastructure, such as rail lines and stations as well as the introduction of high-speed air-conditioned carriages. The world-class Vande Bharat trains, designed to run at speeds exceeding 200 km per hour, are a testament to the future of rail transport in India and will be made possible through the use of aluminium.
To support the production of passenger coaches for the Vande Bharat trains, Hindalco plans to invest Rs. 2,000 crore in the project, and the technology alliance will provide cutting-edge technology for this endeavor.
Aluminium railway coaches preferred for High speed trains
Toughened high-grade aluminium alloy has emerged as the preferred metal worldwide for manufacturing high-speed railway coaches. As it enables aesthetic designs and higher speeds due to their lighter weight. Suburban metro systems and high-speed intercity and long-haul rail traffic in Europe, China, and Japan extensively use aluminium railcars.
The initial costs are slightly higher for aluminium railcars. However, the long-term savings including in rail infrastructure and carbon emissions, are significant. The use of aluminium significantly enhances energy efficiency. It is achieved by reducing aerodynamic resistance, transmission loss, and causing lower wear and tear to rolling stock. Also it enhances Corrosion Resistance.
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Hindalco’s Aluminium Freight Rake India’s First
Last October, Hindalco launched India’s first all-aluminium lightweight freight rake. The rake enables higher speeds and greater payload per trip. It will also save over 14,500 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime. The company plans to introduce three more designs of freight wagons in the coming months. It would target specific commodities such as cement and food grains.
About Hindalco Industries
Hindalco Industries Limited is the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group. Along with its subsidiary Novelis, Hindalco is the global leader in flat rolled products and the world’s largest recycler of aluminum. The company has a global footprint spanning 52 manufacturing units across 10 countries. It is committed to driving sustainable development through innovative solutions. In recognition of its sustainability efforts, Hindalco was ranked as the world’s most sustainable aluminum company in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022.
About Metra
Metra SpA, based in Italy, is a renowned name in the field of aluminum extrusion technology. The company produces high-technology content aluminum extrusions for Railway, Mechanics, Industrial, Automobile, and Architectural applications. The company’s state-of-the-art fabrication solution has consistently set industry standards, making it a trusted partner for innovative projects globally.
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