Tokyo-based Sumitomo Corp.’s subsidiary Sumitomo Corporation of Americas recently announced a strategic investment in St. Louis-based Evertrak, a manufacturer of railroad ties primarily made from recycled plastics and fiberglass.
Sumitomo and Evertrak share a vision to build sustainable railroad infrastructure. The partnership will enhance Evertrak’s production capacity and the development of sustainable product solutions.
Evertrak’s flagship product, the Evertrak 7000, offers a lifespan of more 50 years in High Decay Zones, areas where heat and high humidity accelerate the early decay of wood railroad ties, compared to 8-12 years for wood railroad ties. Class 1 railroads are currently adopting the Evertrak 7000.
In the North American railroad industry, approximately 20 million ties need replaced annually with approximately 6 million ties in High Decay Zones. The zones, located mostly in the southeastern United States, present environmental and budget challenges.
The railroad industry is adopting composite railroad ties as a sustainable alternative to wood ties. Recycled plastics and fiberglass composite ties offer advantages including extended durability, long-term cost savings, environmental performance, and being completely recyclable after use.
Class 1 refers to the seven major freight railroad companies operating in the United States, Canada, and Mexico based on the annual revenue, according to U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics classification.