Hydro joins Siemens Mobility led project to recycle aluminium from end-of-life trains

In this pilot study, Hydro will recycle aluminium from decommissioned trains at its recycling facility in Ghlin, Belgium. The aluminium comes from TSR Group, which has dismantled the rail vehicles and retrieved the materials with the aim of recycling them into new rail parts. TSR will also retrieve the steel material from the rail vehicle and ship this to Voestalpine for recycling and further production.

Upon melting, the aluminium will be processed into extrusion billets, which in turn will be used as input material at Hydro's extrusion facility in Harderwijk, Netherlands.

Accelerating circularity in the rail industry

The Train2Train project is a demonstration of Hydro's commitment to low-carbon aluminium and circular economy, showing how collaboration across the value chain can keep valuable materials in circulation.

"Aluminium can be recycled repeatedly without losing its properties. By combining recycling expertise, digital traceability and manufacturing capabilities, we can create new opportunities for circular solutions in the rail industry. This project builds on Hydro's ambition to accelerate the transition towards a more circular and low-carbon aluminium industry," says Piotr Chmielewski, Vice President Automotive, Rail and Automation, Hydro Extrusions Europe.

Hydro and the rail industry

By implementing a mass balance approach at the recycling facility in Ghlin, end-of-life aluminium from decommissioned trains is integrated into existing material flows and recycling processes, ensuring the output of recycled aluminium precisely matches the volume of end-of-life aluminium entering the facility.

Hydro supplies a variety of aluminium solutions for the rail industry, supporting manufacturers with lightweight, durable, and recyclable materials for applications including train structures, interiors, and components.

With expertise across aluminium extrusion, recycling, and low-carbon aluminium production, Hydro works with customers throughout the value chain to develop solutions that improve modern trains and help manufacturers meet challenging sustainability ambitions.