ALVANCE British Aluminium, an integrated aluminum business and the owner of the last remaining aluminum smelter in the U.K., signed a 10-year leasing agreement with VTG Rail UK for the supply of 20 modern four-axle powder tank wagons. The new rail wagons, which will replace a fleet of two-axle models that have been in service since the late 1980s, will transform the company’s rail logistics for the delivery of alumina to its Fort William smelter in Lochaber, U.K.
“The outgoing fleet has served us well for more than three decades, but the demands of modern manufacturing and our climate commitments require smarter solutions,” said Tom Uppington, managing director of ALVANCE. “This project represents a multimillion-pound investment in future-proofing our logistics, supporting both operational efficiency and our reduction in our carbon footprint.”
With the official handover completed, the newly commissions rail wagons are now entering operational service. Making this switch nearly doubles the payload capacity per trip. This upgrade will reduce the number of annual rail journeys required from 107 to 76, representing a 30% reduction that delivers meaningful gains in both efficiency and environmental performance. The transition has been carefully planned to maintain uninterrupted alumina supply to our 24/7 smelting operations.
“This handover marks a significant milestone in our logistics modernization program,” noted Uppington. “Our partnership with VTG, the U.K.’s leading private rail wagon leasing company, is helping us move more efficiently, more sustainably and with greater resilience. These new 4 axle wagons, combined with major infrastructure upgrades, will enable us to carry higher payloads per journey, reduce the carbon intensity of our operations and support the long-term sustainability of our supply chain.”
The next phase of the project will see the wagons retrofitted with VTG’s advanced iWagon technology. Originally designed for bulk powder transport, these wagons will benefit from integrated real time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved fleet management – adding another layer of intelligence and resilience to our logistics chain.
The introduction of new rail wagons is part of a wider infrastructure upgrade at ALVANCE’s Blyth site, where a significantly enhanced rail loading facility is on track for completion in the coming weeks. This will ensure compatibility with the new fleet, as well as long-term logistics resilience.
“VTG has had the pleasure of working closely with Alvance to understand how to best-serve their business and operations and transform this into a tangible wagon solution within ALVANCE’s required timeframe. The project to prepare the wagon fleet has been delivered successfully to specification, a credit to all parties involved and the partnership between them,” said Archie Lucas, sales and account manager at VTG. “VTG are proud to have contributed towards the sustainability and longevity of Alvance’s supply chain, with these wagons set to serve ALVANCE long into the future.”