Pfleiderer track systems closes a contract for know-how transfer to China

- Sale of rights to the People's Republic of China to use the RHEDA 2000® ballastless track technology
- First project: the high-speed rail line from Wuhan to Guangzhou
- Founding of a subsidiary in China

Today Pfleiderer track systems has signed a contract with representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MoR) for transfer of ultramodern railway technology to China. The agreement contains all usufructuary rights to the RHEDA 2000® ballastless track technology for the sovereign territory of the People's Republic of China. The transfer includes training of Chinese specialists in Europe and in their country.

 

It is further planned for Pfleiderer track systems to act as prime contractor within a group of European companies that intend to support the implementation of RHEDA 2000® ballastless systems in the People's Republic of China - with emphasis on ensuring execution of this technology in China on a high engineering and quality level. The initial project for this group of companies - consisting of Pfleiderer track systems, Eichholz, Heitkamp, and the Dutch Royal BAM Group - will be planning and construction of the new double-track line from Wuhan to Guangzhou, in the southeast region of China. Of the entire 989 km of this high-speed rail line, it is planned to execute the majority in RHEDA 2000®. This represents by far the largest ballastless-track undertaking to be executed in China with participation of foreign companies. Planning is to put the high-speed line into operation in 2010. The huge country of China furthermore offers an enormous potential for further development of its rail system: especially the approx. 12,000 km of an already existing high-speed rail network, the Passenger Dedicated Lines (PDLs). Germany - leading in addition to Japan in the implementation of ballastless track technology - has since 1972 installed in its own country approx. 800 km of track in ballastless technology.

 

For planning and construction of RHEDA 2000® track in China, Pfleiderer track systems with its affiliated companies also offers Chinese railway operators support in construction of the future ballastless line - in addition to expert consulting in planning and engineering. More than 2 million special RHEDA 2000® bi-block sleepers are planned to be installed on this line. For these efforts, Pfleiderer track systems will provide its production-plant technology to Chinese sleeper manufacturers, within the context of a joint venture. For the subsequent installation work, these companies will supply special machines for installation and alignment of the RHEDA 2000® tracks, directly on the rail line. The installation technology to be used will be primarily oriented on the basis of the comprehensive results and experience earlier gained on the Dutch high-speed line HSL ZUID.

 

For optimal execution of the project, Pfleiderer track systems will found an in-country subsidiary in China. The company will provide specialists who will assure smooth project execution, in addition to planning and engineering.

 

For Hans Bachmann, Executive Vice President of Pfleiderer track systems, this project is additional convincing evidence that the company - as the technologically leading systems provider for railway infrastructure - can effectively tap attractive international market potentials. He said, "This rail line, the corporate concept, and the decision to go with our RHEDA 2000® ballastless track technology will all have a signal effect on further high-speed lines in the international railway sector."

About the PCM RAILONE Group

The PCM RAILONE Group has been manufacturing concrete sleepers and track systems for urban transit and long-distance rail transportation for over 60 years. The technology leader also offers its expertise in the fields of engineering and plant construction. Its customer-driven innovations fulfill the highest quality standards and are installed around the world

The PCM RAILONE Group is comprised of several companies and eleven production facilities with a presence in Germany, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Korea, Hungary, Turkey, the United States, Canada and lndia. lt maintains annual capacities of over 5 million track sleepers and 840,000 linear meters of turnout sleepers. RAILONE produces optimized products and custom solutions with over 550 employees around the world.

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