Hindalco Industries Ltd. entered into a strategic alliance with Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd., a specialized engineering company in India, to develop and manufacture world-class aluminum rail wagons and coaches that will help Indian Railways achieve its emission goals and bolster operating efficiency.
Indian Railways launched its Mission 3000 MT in 2022, which aims to doubling freight capacity to 3,000 million tonnes by 2027, with the objective of achieving 45% market share in freight. To meet this ambitious target, Indian Railways is actively seeking to improve wagon design and inviting wagon manufacturers to contribute their own designs to enhance overall capacity and the life of railway assets.
Recognizing these developments, Hindalco and Texmaco are collaborating to explore opportunities in augmenting rolling stock for improved efficiency. Hinalco will provide aluminum profiles, sheet, and plate in various alloys, along with its fabrication and welding expertise. Last year, the company launched its in-house designed aluminum freight rake, which is 180 tonnes lighter, offers 19% higher payload to tare weight ratio, and consumes less energy with relatively negligible wear and tear.
“With launch of India’s first aluminium rake, we have demonstrated the benefits of higher payload and significant CO2 reduction that aluminum rakes offer,” said Satish Pai, managing director of Hindalco Industries. “This partnership will further strengthen our role in enhancing the value proposition for the freight industry as well as for passenger mobility, while helping the Railways achieve its net zero objectives.”
Texmaco, being an expert in manufacturing freight cars for 80 years, will bring in technical expertise and be responsible for design. It will also set up a new factory and production line and will provide skilled workers. “This valuable partnership will go a long way in creating innovative and sustainable products further reinforcing our commitment towards reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and driving a positive environmental impact,” noted Indrajit Mookerjee, vice chairman at Texmaco.
With Indian Railways actively upgrading its rolling stock (including locomotives and freight and passenger cars), Hindalco and Texmaco are well positions to support the lightweighting and improvement of the Indian rail network. Furthermore, a local facility that can make high-quality aluminum wagons, coaches, large containers, and components will greatly supplement the Central Government’s fast-paced development of dedicated freight corridors that aims to boost efficiency and reduce freight tariffs.
“This partnership holds tremendous potential in supporting the Indian Railways in its pursuit of the introduction of efficient rolling stock with a lesser carbon footprint,” added Sudipta Mukherjee, deputy managing director of Texmaco.