In a pioneering move toward sustainable transportation, Tata Steel has partnered with Southeastern Railway (SER) to promote the use of slag-based aggregates—Tata Aggreto and Tata Nirman—in railway infrastructure. These eco-friendly materials, derived from steel production by-products, are being deployed in track blanket layers, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of railway construction.
Traditionally, track blanketing involves the use of natural soil and aggregates to provide stability and drainage under railway tracks. By replacing conventional materials with processed steel slag, Tata Steel is helping Indian Railways reduce its dependence on mined aggregates while making productive use of industrial waste. Tata Aggreto and Tata Nirman are both certified materials—used respectively in road construction and civil engineering applications, and now increasingly in rail projects.
This partnership aligns with India’s national agenda to decarbonise infrastructure and promote circular economy practices. Tata Steel has been a leader in this space, pioneering the processing of steel slag into high-value products through its R&D-backed manufacturing processes. These products not only reduce environmental degradation but also offer superior performance in terms of durability and load-bearing capacity.
The current deployment spans sections under Southeastern Railway, with plans to scale the application across other zones. This initiative complements broader efforts by Indian Railways to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, including electrification, solar integration, and sustainable construction materials.
Experts believe this collaboration sets a precedent for other industrial sectors to repurpose waste materials into infrastructure-grade products. It also underscores the steel industry’s growing role in shaping India’s green infrastructure journey.
