Hindalco Industries Limited, in Mumbai, India, the world’s largest aluminum rolling and recycling company, signed a technology partnership with Italy-based Metra SpA, a producer of structured and value-added aluminum extrusions. The partnership aims to enable the production of large-size aluminum extrusion and fabrication technology for building high-speed aluminum rail coaches in India. This collaboration seeks to support the Indian Government’s vision to foster superior domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Combining Hindalco’s experience in aluminum manufacturing and Metra’s knowledge in aluminum extrusion, machining, and welding, the collaboration marks a pivotal move to bring world-class technology to India. This will provide Hindalco with a launching pad to drive the ambitious upgrade program of Indian Railways, the company that runs the world’s largest rail network.
“We are pleased to join forces with Metra to introduce a new era of aluminum extrusions for passenger trains in India,” said Satish Pai, managing director of Hindalco Industries. “This is in line with our capability building for aluminum in commercial vehicles, freight wagons, electric vehicles, and passenger train applications. Our combined expertise will undoubtedly enhance the efficiency, durability, and sustainable performance of these trains and set new benchmarks for the Indian rail industry.”
In the railway sector, extruded aluminum plays a leading role, as it combines the reduction of weight and mechanical strength. Metra, a 60-year veteran in making aluminum extrusions for the transport sector, specializes in the fabrication and machining of railway extrusions, giving the Italian company additional capabilities to design and supply high-end sub-assemblies for the railways.
“Collaborating with Hindalco Industries presents an exciting opportunity to showcase the capabilities of our aluminum extrusion technology on a global stage,” said Enrico Zampedri, CEO of Metra SpA. “Together, we are poised to redefine aluminum extrusions for high-speed train manufacturing in India, creating a fusion of strong Italian expertise in this field and Indian market knowledge.”
Lightweight Railways
Indian Railways is in the midst of a dynamic makeover in basic infrastructure, such as rail lines and stations, as well as the introduction of high-speed air-conditioned carriages. The quintessential world-class Vande Bharat trains being rolled out to critical acclaim for top-end comfort and faster travel give a glimpse into the future of rail transport in India. The gleaming, aerodynamic train, designed to run at more than 200 km per hour, will be made possible by the use of aluminum.
To help make passenger coaches for the Vande Bharat trains, Hindalco plans to invest Rs.2,000 crore for the project. The technology alliance will provide cutting-edge technology for this effort.
Toughened high-grade aluminum alloy has emerged as the metal of choice the world over in the manufacture of high-speed railway coaches, enabling aesthetic designs and greater speeds because of their lighter weight. Suburban metro systems and high-speed intercity and long-haul rail traffic in Europe, China, and Japan use aluminum railcars.
While the upfront costs are marginally higher for aluminum railcars, the savings over time, including rail infrastructure and carbon emissions, are significant. The use of aluminum significantly enhances energy efficiency due to reduced aerodynamic resistance and transmission loss. Further, aluminum causes lower wear and tear to rolling stock.
Last October, Hindalco launched India’s first all-aluminum lightweight freight rake, which not only enables higher speeds and more payload per trip but will save over 14,500 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime. The company plans to introduce three more freight wagon designs in the coming months targeting 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. With a global footprint spanning 52 manufacturing units across 10 countries, the company is committed to driving sustainable development through innovative solutions. Hindalco was ranked the world’s most sustainable aluminum company in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
About Metra SpA
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, automotive, and architectural applications. The company’s state-of-the-world fabrication capabilities have consistently set industry standards, making it a trusted partner for innovative projects globally.