Market Trends of Rail Coatings Industry
Developing High-speed Rail Networks
- The development of high-speed rail lines strives to make the transit of people and commodities efficient and frequent. High-speed rail refers to rail services that travel vast distances between stations at speeds above 250 km/h.
- The expanding demand for high-speed freight and cargo trains in developed nations is expected to drive market growth. Railway operators are emphasizing both the modification of existing infrastructure and the building of new high-speed networks capable of reaching 1000 km/h.
- Substantial investment has been made in high-speed rails, metros, and light rails to provide high-capacity urban services that are often underground or elevated. For instance, India, which has the second-longest rail infrastructure after China, is electrifying rail lines to construct a high-speed rail network in the country efficiently.
- Over the years, there has been a significant expansion of urban and high-speed rails worldwide, with China leading the way. According to data from the China State Railway Group, as of November 30, 2023, China's high-speed rail (HSR) operations spanned approximately 43,700 km. This area represented 28.1% of China's total railroad network, measuring around 155,500 km.
- Moreover, In June 2024, Indian Railways (IR) placed an order with the state-owned Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai to build two 1,435 mm-gauge trains with a maximum speed of 250 km/h during the financial year 2024-2025.
- In Europe, the Trans-European Transport Network is set to enhance long-distance rail services. The plans involve establishing a new high-speed network, targeting speeds of 160 km/h for passenger trains and 100 km/h for freight, with a completion goal set for 2040.
- Sustained rail development, rapid global metro, and high-speed rail system expansions are important to facilitate a shift away from road and air travel, which is expected to drive the global rail coatings market significantly.
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Asia-Pacific to Dominate the Market
- Asia-Pacific leads the global rail coatings market, driven by rising demand from railway activities. Countries like China, India, and Japan are witnessing a surge in their railway activities.
- Railways are considered an eco-friendly mode of transportation compared to roadways. Therefore, there is a noticeable shift from roadways to railways to reduce carbon emissions. Governments are supporting rail transportation projects to improve and increase passenger rail services to relieve road traffic congestion and reduce emissions.
- Increased government initiatives to improve rail transportation and growth in tourism industries across Asia-Pacific countries are expected to drive demand for rail coatings over the forecast period. For instance, in March 2022, Indian Railways allocated an INR 26 billion (~USD 0.34 billion) contract to seven companies, including Medha, Bombardier, and Siemens, to produce 58 Vande Bharat trains.
- Moreover, China's government announced aims to operate 5,000 trains annually between China and Europe, targeting a 2025 milestone.
- Rail cars, depending on service conditions, typically require repainting every few years. While exterior coatings for tank cars last about a decade, repainting is often extended to 15 years, aligning with other service repairs.
- Additionally, the rising population and demand for goods transportation have prompted Asia-Pacific countries to address their aged rolling stocks and use new technologies to repair and maintain them in order to make the most of the current systems and achieve sustainable growth.
- In February 2022, Shanghai Metro assigned the contract to undertake lifecycle maintenance for 204 Movia metro cars to Shentong Bombardier Rail Transit Vehicle Maintenance. The contract included preventative and corrective maintenance and balanced overhaul services for Shanghai Metro's 34-train fleet.
- Overall, the combination of new rail car introductions and the refurbishment of existing ones is poised to bolster the Asia-Pacific rail coatings market over the coming years.
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