ArcelorMittal Poland is developing a new grade of heat-treated rail at its steelworks in Dabrowa Gornicza, aimed at railway tracks exposed to high loads, heavy traffic and extreme temperatures.
Work on the R400HT grade began in 2025. The company plans to complete the qualification testing process until the end of 2026 and is simultaneously discussing the potential delivery of the first batch of rails to Canada.
According to ArcelorMittal Poland, R400HT is the highest-hardness rail required by European standards. It is intended for railway infrastructure where conventional rails may not provide sufficient durability. Potential applications include heavy freight routes, mining railways and networks operating in regions with very low temperatures.
ArcelorMittal Poland is primarily considering the new rail for use by the group’s mining operations in Quebec, Canada. The rail infrastructure there is used to transport iron ore and must withstand both high loads and temperatures that fall to around -40 degrees C.
The company also sees demand from other demanding markets, including Scandinavia.
It is expected that the use of harder rails could reduce wear and extend replacement intervals on heavily used lines. This is particularly relevant for freight corridors carrying bulk goods, where repeated high axle loads can accelerate the degradation of conventional rail grades.
ArcelorMittal Poland also expects that the R400HT certification will allow it to participate in tenders where the presence of this particular rail grade is a mandatory condition.
According to Marek Kempa, Managing Director of the company’s long-rolled products department, the project aims to strengthen ArcelorMittal Poland’s position in the market for technologically advanced railway rails.
The company has not yet announced the planned production volume or the schedule for regular commercial deliveries. Qualification tests will need to be completed before the new rolled product can be introduced into the product portfolio.
It is noted that ArcelorMittal Poland already produces heat-treated railway rails and operates five steel mills in Poland. The company positions itself as the only European producer and one of three in the world capable of producing heat-treated rails with a length of 120 m. (Rail.Insider)