Indian steel giant Tata Steel has announced that it has won a two-year contract to supply over 200,000 mt of track to French rail operator SNCF. Under the contract Tata Steel will supply the majority of SNCF's rail requirements in lengths of up to 108 meters from its Hayange plant in northern France.
According to Tata Steel's statement, the order follows the unveiling of the new €12 million heat-treatment facility at the Hayange plant. The newly opened facility will allow Tata Steel to more than double its annual output of heat-treated rail from 55,000 to 125,000 mt. Tata Steel also invested €35 million in the Hayange mill in 2011 to produce 108 meter rail.
As well as the new 108 m-long rail, Hayange is also able to roll shorter lengths when required by customers. The shorter lengths can be processed in the heat-treatment facility, allowing rail operators to enhance performance and reduce costs associated with more frequent worn rail replacement.