Deutsche Bahn is partnering with Saarstahl Rail to use environmentally friendly steel in a sustainable railway infrastructure.

Germany's national railway operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced a partnership with Saarstahl Rail, a manufacturer of low-carbon rails within the German long products manufacturer Saarstahl Group, to promote the use of environmentally friendly steel in railway infrastructure.

This cooperation marks an important milestone in the sustainable development of the supply chain and circular economy in the European railway industry.

Production of environmentally friendly steel in Saarstal Ascoval

The eco-friendly Saarstahl Rail steel produced at the Ascoval plant in France will be integrated into DB's upcoming railway infrastructure projects. Unlike traditional blast furnace steel production, the Askoval plant uses an electric arc furnace (EDP), which melts recycled rails and scrap steel to produce new material. This cyclic steel production process provides carbon emissions reductions of up to 70 percent compared to traditional methods, which is equivalent to savings of 1,800 tons of COke per 1,000 tons of steel produced.

The use of environmentally friendly steel is expected to significantly reduce Deutsche Bahn's construction-related category 3 emissions, which currently account for about 50 percent of total indirect emissions. As part of its decarbonization roadmap, DB aims to prioritize low-emission materials, including environmentally friendly steel and environmentally friendly concrete, in its construction and maintenance programs.