CHOOSE
A DIFFERENT TERRITORY
EMR, a global leader in sustainable materials, has become a Patron of Rail Forum, an organisation that enables cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders in the UK rail industry.
Listen to this story
With more than 390 members across the UK, including Arriva TrainCare, DB Cargo, East West Rail, Network Rail and Siemens Mobility, Rail Forum brings together global corporations, SMEs, manufacturers and rail operators to enable industry-wide responses to challenges including decarbonisation, the circular economy, safety and regulatory changes.
EMR’s engagement with the not-for-profit body will foster greater awareness of recycling trains and their components once they reach end-of-life. EMR 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.
As the UK’s largest metal recycler, EMR draws on decades of experience to recycle both the ferrous and non-ferrous metals found in modern trains to the highest standard. EMR 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. This work supports wider efforts to build a domestic, circular supply chain for trains - from design through to end-of-life recycling.
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.
Through its invitation for EMR to become a Patron, the Rail Forum team has highlighted how crucial tackling these challenges is to the future of the UK’s rail network.
Stephen Drag, Head of Automotive & 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.
“CEO Elaine Clark has built a really strong team at Rail Forum, and we’ve already found them to be open to new ideas and fully aware of how much the industry must adapt and evolve to address future challenges together.”
