CFS® railway sleeper developed in the BMWE project LeBaMaN at the 12th Lightweight Construction Forum in Berlin

In the collaborative R&D project “LeBaMaN” (2023–2026), funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, an innovative railway sleeper made from the novel composite material CFS^® is being developed and tested. This railway sleeper was presented to the specialist audience for the first time at the 12th Lightweight Construction Forum of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs’ Lightweight Construction Initiative.

CFS^®, a composite of hard rock, e.g., granite, and bio-based carbon fibers, is characterized by low specific weight (like aluminum), high mechanical load capacity (comparable to steel), and long service life (no corrosion). Taking into account the CO₂ sink effect through the weathering of production-related stone dust (EWS – enhanced weathering of stone), the CFS® sleeper is significantly more climate-friendly compared to conventional concrete sleepers and nearly CO2-neutral in production.

The second objective of the LeBaMan project is the development of a bridge construction using CFS^® profiles. Within the collaborative project, AHP develops the concept for production facilities on an industrial scale and provides the techno-economic analyses (TEA) as well as the life cycle assessment (LCA).