50-year-old concrete masts recycled, with saving CO₂

Up to 1,200 catenary masts made of reinforced concrete with 30 % of recycled aggregates were used in the course of the modernization project of the Traisen Valley Railway. Consequently, every new mast contains more than a ton of recycled material. The processed material, now being reused, comes from old discarded concrete masts of ÖBB, the Austrian Railways, in the Wiener Neustadt region. The masts are produced at MABA Fertigteilindustrie GmbH, a subsidiary of the Kirchdorfer Group, located in Wöllersdorf.

Hand in Hand: Circular economy & electrification

The method was developed by the Kirchdorfer Group: About 30 % of natural aggregates are substituted by recycled aggregates in the concrete mix design for the catenary masts. In this way, the use of recycled materials saves valuable primary raw materials.

Mag. Michael Wardian, CEO of the Kirchdorfer Group, explains: „Our products stand for a conscious and efficient use of materials, they combine sustainability with technical excellence. With the focus on circular economy, we reduce the demand of primary raw materials, and as the partner of ÖBB, we made a contribution to an environmentally-friendly railway infrastructure.“

The high load capacity of the masts was confirmed in comprehensive tests. In a mast bending test, the top of the mast was pulled by 140 cm, up to reaching the load limit. This value clearly exceeds the requirements of ÖBB. Monitoring of the masts took place over a period of three years.

A flagship project for the mobility transition

DI Judith Engel, chairwoman of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, emphasizes: „We are aiming at further strengthening the railway system as an attractive, modern and environmentally-friendly means of transportation and gearing it up for the future. With this pilot project, old construction material gets a new life and is returned to the cycle of the new railway. With this, we clearly state one thing: Climate protection is not only a word for us, it is part of our life.“

The new „green“ masts are part of a comprehensive modernization project: Due to the electrification of the line, in future, environmentally-friendly, electric trains can travel along the track in the valley of Traisen using 100 % green traction current instead of previous diesel-powered passenger trains. This does not only help to save carbon emissions, but also reduces sound emissions. Win-win for the region and the environment.

Apart from the electrification, the modernization of the Traisen Valley Railway also comprises an extension of barrier-free accessibility and the modernization of stations and stops, respectively.