In a move poised to revolutionize the Indian rail industry, Hindalco Industries Ltd., the world’s largest aluminium rolling and recycling company, and Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd., a specialized engineering firm, have joined hands in a strategic alliance to develop and manufacture state-of-the-art aluminium rail wagons and coaches. This partnership not only supports Indian Railways’ emission reduction targets but also enhances operational efficiency through innovative design.
Aligned with Indian Railways’ ambitious “Mission 3000 MT” that aims to double freight capacity to 3,000 million tons by 2027, Hindalco and Texmaco’s collaboration intends to contribute to this goal by improving wagon design. The duo envisions the creation of a world-class manufacturing facility in India, where Hindalco’s unique aluminium alloys, along with fabrication and welding expertise, will meet Texmaco’s technical prowess in manufacturing freight cars.
The strategic alliance seeks to capitalize on aluminium’s inherent advantages in rail transport. Aluminium usage in rail wagons and coaches not only enhances speed and payload capacity but also reduces carbon dioxide emissions, aligning perfectly with Indian Railways’ net-zero objectives. Hindalco’s proprietary aluminium freight rake, introduced last year, highlights these benefits by being 180 tons lighter, offering a remarkable 19% higher payload-to-tare weight ratio, and exhibiting significantly reduced energy consumption and wear and tear.
Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries, emphasized, “Our partnership’s pivotal aspect is the reduction of carbon emissions and enhancement of operational efficiency. By launching India’s first aluminium rake, we’ve showcased the potential of aluminium in the rail industry. This collaboration will further strengthen our commitment to sustainable and efficient freight and passenger mobility while aligning with Indian Railways’ net-zero aspirations.”
Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd., with its 80-year history of manufacturing freight cars, brings valuable expertise to the table. Mr. Indrajit Mookerjee, Vice Chairman of Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd., hailed the partnership as a transformative step towards reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and driving positive environmental impact. The alliance also aligns well with the Indian government’s push towards self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and the ongoing modernization efforts of Indian Railways, which encompass not only enhanced rail car design but also upgrades to stations, coaches, and the metro rail network.
Sudipta Mukherjee, Deputy Managing Director of Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd, highlighted the partnership’s potential in introducing efficient rolling stock with a lower carbon footprint, thus contributing to the railway’s sustainable evolution.
The establishment of an indigenous facility for high-quality aluminium wagons, coaches, large containers, and components will complement the Central Government’s endeavor to develop dedicated freight corridors, fostering efficiency and reducing freight tariffs. Hindalco Industries Limited, a $28 billion metals powerhouse, is the world’s largest aluminium company by revenues and a significant player in copper. Alongside its subsidiary Novelis, Hindalco leads in flat rolled products and aluminium recycling.
Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd, the flagship of the Adventz Group, has been a leading exporter of castings and manufacturer of railway freight cars, passenger coaches, and metro coaches. Its partnership with Touax Rail in 2012 for wagon leasing further showcases its commitment to innovation in rail transport. In this revolutionary alliance, Hindalco and Texmaco are poised to transform India’s rail industry while championing sustainability and efficiency.