Rail Forum is an organisation that fosters cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders in the UK rail industry. Its 390+ members include Arriva TrainCare, DB Cargo, East West Rail, Network Rail and Siemens Mobility. This group then works on overcoming challenges including decarbonisation, the circular economy and safety and regulatory changes.
EMR’s engagement with the not-for-profit body aims to foster greater awareness of recycling trains and their components once they reach end-of-life. The metals recycling company will also contribute to industry discussions on designing for end-of-life and making small changes at the design phase to ease the recycling process.
EMR will draw on decades of experience to recycle both the ferrous and non-ferrous metals found in modern trains. It also has a plastics recycling division, MBA Polymers UK, which can recycle many of the plastics found in trains.
EMR teams carry out the safe removal of pollutants, such as asbestos and refrigerants, during the dismantling process.
With the lifecycle of rolling stock spanning as much as 30 to 40 years, it is essential that all stakeholders in the rail industry embed principles such as design for recycling, circularity, and a greater focus on reusing components as early as possible.
‘Rail industry is vital to climate ambitions’
Stephen Drag, head of automotive and rail at EMR, said: “It’s clear that the rail industry will be vital to the UK’s climate ambitions. What’s now also clear is that a circular economy – one that gives material from end-of-life rolling stock a second useful life and reduces demand for newly mined materials – is an essential step towards this future.
“Joining Rail Forum as a Patron has given EMR valuable insight into the enthusiasm and commitment across the industry to tackle these challenges together. It’s a huge honour to be a part of this forward-thinking and collaborative group.”
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