Together with the goal of the mobility transition, tunnelling is becoming increasingly important in the rail sector. Building underground links is crucial for shifting large volumes of road traffic onto rail tracks – because tunnels mean more efficient transport routes, with the added benefit of producing less noise and environmental harm.

The Tunnel Construction segment at InnoTrans 2024 features over 30 exhibitors displaying the latest products and services which make building and operating tunnels safer and more efficient while minimising the environmental impact. In Hall 5.2 the focus is on tunnelling equipment and fire prevention, air-conditioning, ventilation, safety systems, engineering services and monitoring systems.

InnoTrans: One-stop shop for tunnelling and rail infrastructure

Together with the Tunnel Construction displays, the Railway Infrastructure segment covers a further seven halls featuring building materials, rail track and overhead line construction, measuring systems as well as signalling and control systems. Exhibitors displaying products in both segments include the engineering company Schüßler-Plan GmbH (Hall 5.2, Stand 640), which among other works is currently supervising construction of Hamburg’s new U 5 metro line. Others in this category include Porr Bau GmbH (Hall 25, Stand 410) with its civil engineering competence centre, Amberg Technologies AG (Hall 25, Stand 455) from Switzerland, DB Bahnbau Gruppe (Hall 25, Stand 440), voelstalpine Railway Systems from Austria (Hall 21, Stand 150), and the railway system supplier SPITZKE SE (Hall 5.2, Stand 330).

Brenner Base Tunnel: The world’s longest underground rail link

The massive Brenner Base Tunnel project highlights the enormous potential of underground rail links. On Stand 620 in Hall 5.2 the operator BBT SE will present the project’s aims, its technical implementation and the current state of progress. The Brenner Base Tunnel is due to be operational in 2032, when at 64 km in length it will be the world’s longest underground rail link. A rail trip from Innsbruck to South Tyrol will take 25 instead of 80 minutes, and freight times will be reduced by two-thirds – from 105 to 35 minutes.

The Brenner Base Tunnel’s main purpose is to shift a large amount of the goods traffic between Munich and Verona from roads onto tracks. The new rail section has almost no gradients, making it possible to deploy longer and much heavier trains. A single locomotive will be able to pull up to 2,000 tonnes of goods. Until now, two locomotives have been required for 1,400 tonnes.

Other exhibitors in the Tunnel Construction segment include:

Niedax: Smart cable-laying solutions

Niedax GmbH & Co. KG manufactures cable-laying systems. Its largest product category is cable support systems which must match up precisely with each other. “One of the biggest challenges of our times is combining wide-ranging climate action with a full-scale mobility transition. With our innovative electro installation products we are making an important contribution to digitalising rail transport and supporting the future of mobility“, said Bruno Reufels, CEO of the Niedax Group. “At InnoTrans 2024 our exhibits will include smart cable-laying solutions. At the Niedax Group every digitalisation project is based on an integrated concept. In addition to consultations, planning and construction we take over production, project-specific packaging and transporting cable-laying systems.“ (Hall 5.2, Stand 810)

Orascom Construction S.A.E.: Groundbreaking products from Egypt for the home market

Cairo-based Orascom Construction is one of the world’s largest general construction companies. At InnoTrans 2024 it is highlighting its participation in current large-scale projects, including Egypt’s first high-speed rail link, which when completed will be the sixth longest in the world. “We are also presenting our innovative ideas for a monorail project that will link key areas of Cairo – East Cairo, the new administrative capital and 6th of October city – which mark a significant step for urban transport“, the company said. “In addition to demonstrating our technical expertise and commitment to a sustainable infrastructure it also highlights our successful collaboration with partner companies on state-of-the-art projects.“ (Hall 5.2, Stand 710)

FOGTEC: Innovative fire prevention solutions for rail vehicles

FOGTEC Brandschutz GmbH markets fire prevention solutions for rail vehicles and water-mist systems for tunnels. At InnoTrans 2024 the company is presenting fire prevention modules whose weight has been further reduced by employing innovative composite pressure containers – this benefits system integration and allows a freer hand with vehicle design. Where certification up to SIL-2 is concerned, the latest product developments ensure maximum protection for staff, passengers and infrastructure. “We are especially looking forward to meeting our customers, friends and partners at InnoTrans along with colleagues from our international branches, and to developing rail products for a safe, mobile and sustainable future“, said the FOGTEC management board. (Hall 5.2, Stand 735)

Valente S.p.A.: Custom rail transport systems

Based in Lainate, Milan, Valente S.p.A. is a well-known manufacturer of equipment for rail vehicles, rail systems, tunnelling, mining and specialist steel structures. At InnoTrans 2024 the company is presenting its wide range of products for the tunnelling and mining sector. Valente also specialises in muck disposal vehicles, custom vehicles, mixers as well as high-performance diesel and electric locomotives. “Our participation in InnoTrans 2024 will open up new opportunities for collaboration and growth. We look forward to meeting with leading industry players and potential customers and to highlighting the success of our products and services with numerous projects such as the Port of Ravenna and Fincantieri Goliath Crane“, the company said. (Hall 5.2, Stand 840)

CFT GmbH: Mobile ventilation modules for short tunnel sections

CFT GmbH Compact Filter Technic offers turnkey solutions for ensuring occupational safety during rail track work on temporary tunnel construction sites. Products include shaft ventilation, dust removal, provision of measuring systems and additional services such as rail logistics and geo tracking systems. “At InnoTrans 2024 we are presenting our latest innovative mobile ventilation modules which are ideal for maintenance work on short tunnel sections“, said Patrick Schneider, area tunnel renovation manager, CFT. “Visitors to our stand can find out everything about our custom solutions for meeting occupational safety requirements. Our team is looking forward to interesting meetings with industry players as well as fascinating leads and conversations about the latest trends and developments.“ (Hall 5.2, Stand 700)

WEBAC-Chemie GmbH: Water-resistant injection resins

WEBAC-Chemie GmbH markets injection resins. “For over 40 years we have been developing, producing and marketing innovative sealants and renovation systems for construction and civil engineering, special engineering requirements and the mining and tunnelling industry. That is why we are looking forward to meeting current and future customers and partners from all over the world at InnoTrans 2024“, said Harald Schmitt, technical manager, Tunnelling & Waterproofing, at WEBAC. The Tunnel Construction segment is where the company is displaying its range of polyurethane, epoxy and silicate resins as well as injection gels and special products for hardening and sealing floor surfaces. (Hall 5.2, Stand 942)

International Tunnel Forum: Current challenges and sustainability efforts

Trade visitors can delve further into the subject with the InnoTrans Convention programme. On 25 and 26 September the International Tunnel Forum will take a concentrated look at the latest industry topics. High-profile experts will present several topic items, followed by discussions with the audience. The forum is organised by the Research Association for Tunnels and Transportation Facilities (Hall 5.2, Stand 931). Day one will focus on ’Sustainability in tunnelling’, with day two examining ’Challenges in tunnelling’. For more information please visit InnoTrans Plus.

International Tunnel Forum on 25 September 2024

Time: 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
Venue: City Cube, M8
Topic: Sustainability in tunnelling

Lectures:

• Underground construction in accordance with UN sustainability goals. Speaker: Dipl.-Ing. ETH Heinz Ehrbar, representative of DB InfraGO AG on the German Tunnelling Committee, DAUB Köln

• Low-carbon precast segment lining using steel fibre reinforced concrete. Speaker: Dipl.-Ing. Benoit de Rivaz, global technical manager, NV Bekaert SA, Zwevegem, Belgium

• Tunnelling as a source of raw materials – Utilisation of excavated tunnel material. Speaker: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Budach, Department of Geotechnics and Tunnelling, Technische Hochschule Köln

• U5 metro line in Hamburg – a flagship climate-friendly transport infrastructure project. Speaker: Dipl.-Ing. Frank Plöger, head of the Sustainability Department, HOCHBAHN U5 Projekt GmbH, Hamburg

• Moderator: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roland Leucker, managing director, STUVA e.V., Köln

International Tunnel Forum on 26 September 2024

Time: 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
Venue: City Cube, M8
Topic: Challenges in tunnelling

Lectures:

• Erzgebirgstunnel – a cross-border project of the century with Germany’s longest railway tunnel. Speaker: Dipl.-Ing. Kay Müller, project manager for the new Dresden-Prague Line, DB InfraGO AG, Leipzig

• Frankfurt/Main mainline railway tunnel – construction of an inner-city tunnel with an underground station. Speaker: Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Haschke, head of Construction, Fernbahntunnel Frankfurt am Main, DB InfrGO AG, Frankfurt

• Fehmarn Belt fixed link – the world’s longest immersed tunnel. Speaker: Dipl.-Ing. Gerhard Cordes, contract director, Femern A/S Copenhagen, Denmark

• New safety concepts for underground track-bound junctions. Speaker: Dr. sc. nat. Andras Busslinger, management board member, HBI Haerter AG, Bern, Switzerland

• Moderator: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roland Leucker, managing director, STUVA e.V., Köln

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About InnoTrans

InnoTrans is the world’s leading trade show for transport technology and takes place every two years in Berlin. The five segments at InnoTrans comprise Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Public Transport, Interiors and Tunnel Construction. InnoTrans is organised by Messe Berlin GmbH. In 2022, 2,771 exhibitors from 56 countries exhibited their products and services to 132,319 trade visitors from 137 countries. 128 vehicles and 14 buses were shown on the outdoor display site and Bus Display. The next InnoTrans will take place on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from 24 to 27 September 2024. For more information: www.innotrans.com