Interpipe has entered the niche railway market with a new wheel set

Ukrainian industrial company Interpipe has expanded its Ultimate line of railway products for freight cars, introducing a new niche development – ULT 70 wheel sets. The first batches of products have already been shipped to a customer in France, where they are successfully used on car carriers, according to the company’s press release.

According to Frederic Simonno, Interpipe’s sales manager for railway products in the European market, car carriers have special technical requirements.

«Car transport trains require a special type of wheel set. In particular, the wheel diameter had to be reduced by 200 mm to compensate for the increased height of the cars, as such cars can hold at least two passenger cars on top of each other. At the same time, the wheel set axle had to withstand a standard load of 18 tons. After thorough research, our team developed an alternative to the standard design previously used by the customer,» explains Simonneau.

Ultimate series wheels and wheel sets have already gained recognition among European railcar manufacturers and leasing companies for their high reliability and durability. The new ULT 70 combines the key advantages of the line: increased structural strength and improved braking efficiency, making it the optimal solution for specialized railcars.

As reported by GMK Center, Interpipe is actively expanding its presence in export markets. The company has entered the drilling equipment supply segment in Europe, supplied pipes for the construction of an offshore wind farm in France, and specialized micropiles for the reconstruction of a bridge in Slovakia. The company also develops wheels for railways in the Middle East and Asia and supplies products for energy and construction projects in Switzerland and Romania. Diversification of its portfolio allows the company to strengthen its position in high-tech industries and reduce its dependence on traditional markets.