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Belchim is in a unique position to deliver future
proof weed control solutions to the Railway sector
Weed control in railways is mandatory for stability of the railroad bed, visibility
of signals, short breaking distances, avoidance of fires, and maintaining
accessibility of emergency routes, while the speed of treatment is critical to
avoid any negative impact of weed control on the railway business (high speed
spraying is needed to leave the track free for passenger and freight transport).
Even this segment is under pressure regarding the use of glyphosate and
therefore, some countries in the EU have already decided to stop its use. Several
alternatives to this active ingredient have been tested: the most efficient,
cheapest, fastest and safest for applicators remains spraying herbicides from
running trains. Hence, the very good fit of Belchim’s solutions based on
pelargonic acid. In addition, these solutions should be mixed with residual
herbicides to achieve the required long lasting effect.
All these elements make the outlook on this market very promising.
The railway company, CFL, in Luxemburg has already transformed its volumes
of glyphosate into Katoun Gold and residual herbicides. SNCF, the French
railway company, continues to switch to Belchim solutions. The last six years of
close contact, trials and support to SNCF are paying off. Here, Belchim is doing
much more than answering a tender and selling a product: providing services,
helping to reduce the re-entry period which can have a huge economic impact
if, for example, a waiting time of 24h or more is required after a treatment
before work on a railway can resume. Belchim has also helped SNCF to
address concerns that ultra-concentrated fatty acid formulations might turn to
gel when outside temperatures remain close to 0°C for several hours. These
ongoing efforts over the last six years have enabled Belchim to become a
strategic SNCF partner in weed control.
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