Rail recycling: how ETF gives rail and ballast a second life
Every year, during maintenance and modernisation work on railway networks, large quantities of materials are discarded. Rather than treating them as waste, ETF is fully committed to a circular economy approach to recover these materials and give them a second life.
ETF, a key player in railway recycling
As a specialist in railway works, ETF works directly on construction sites, applying responsible practices for the recovery, sorting and reuse of removed components. Rails, ballast, sleepers and contact wires are carefully processed to maximise their value.
As part of innovative programmes such as RAVI (Renouvellement d’Appareils de Voie Industrialisée, or Industrialised Track Renewal), ETF integrates these processes into its supply chain. At each site, our teams carefully sort materials, process sleepers and transport ballast to specialised recycling centres.
Ballast, a material in the spotlight
Ballast is one of the most important materials recovered. ETF uses efficient methods, including rapid response factory trains, which enable up to 30% of ballast to be returned to the track immediately. The rest is transported to rear bases where it is processed or recycled in other sectors, such as public works.
A strong commitment to sustainable mobility
With the aim of reducing the environmental footprint in the railway sector, ETF is fully committed to the collection and recovery of railway materials. By contributing to the sustainable transformation of infrastructure, we are meeting the expectations of local communities and users, making sustainability a central pillar of our actions.
