AFURail represents a new generation of railway sleepers – developed from a groundbreaking Japanese technology of the 1970s.
Its principle: continuously aligned glass fibres embedded in a pure polyurethane matrix, free from fillers that could compromise quality and reliability.
Manufactured through a precise pultrusion process, AFURail combines the workability of wood with the durability of modern high-performance composites.
The technology has been further developed and industrially perfected in China.
Today, AFURail is in service across metro systems, industrial sites and throughout China’s 40,000-kilometre high-speed network – particularly in hotspot areas where maximum loads and long-term stability are essential.
This is a compelling demonstration of the technical maturity, cost-efficiency and reliability of this solution.
AFURail offers high fatigue strength, no crack formation as with wood, and excellent dimensional stability.
The material remains resistant to moisture, oils, lubricants and aggressive environmental conditions – consistently and over decades.
Moreover, AFURail is certified for use in drinking-water areas, self-extinguishing in the event of fire, and as easy to machine and install as wood – but with a far longer service life and consistent performance.
AFURail unites Japanese engineering, Chinese production precision and European market expertise to deliver a technology that sets new standards in safety, sustainability and cost-efficiency.
AFURail – Smart. Strong. Safe.
Technology & Production
AFURail is based on the fibrin structure of wood – with continuously aligned glass fibres embedded in a pure polyurethane matrix, free from fillers that could compromise the proven quality and reliability of this technology.
Through the pultrusion process, highly precise sleepers are produced in a range of profiles and lengths – dimensionally stable, durable and cost-effective.
Since 2023, a modern pultrusion facility has been producing up to 150,000 standard sleepers per year – efficiently, quickly and with consistent quality.
The length is limited to 11.9 metres due to transport restrictions, while all standard rail profiles can be manufactured in width and height.
We also accommodate colour and surface preferences: sanded finishes, tapered shapes or project-specific geometries can be produced directly.
Each sleeper is numbered, clearly marked and delivered ready for installation – ensuring fast and economical on-site assembly.
Precise. Powerful. Forward-Thinking.
Bridge Projects
AFURail is the preferred choice for bridges with open-steel structures and ballast troughs.
Its low mass and high machinability allow precise on-site modifications using conventional woodworking equipment.
In ballasted bridge decks, the low structural height, flexible lengths and optimal weight provide a long-term, economical solution.
Maintenance of ballasted tracks can be carried out freely and efficiently.
For bridge vibration reduction, raised support points can be integrated directly into the sleeper without altering the rail head position – a technically elegant and cost-efficient solution.
If you require long timbers with large cross-sections and lengths of up to 11.9 metres, AFURail is the right choice.
Each unit is manufactured precisely to project requirements – stable, durable and installation-ready.
AFURail is also certified for use in drinking-water zones, enabling rail operators to deploy it near waterways and residential areas as an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative.
The result: clean water, cleaner air, and long-term reliability.
Light. Precise. Reliable.
Switch & Crossings
In turnout and switch zones, precision, safety and availability are critical – and this is where AFURail excels.
The AFURail design type provides bending behaviour analogous to wooden sleepers, combined with the durability, dimensional accuracy and long-term strength of advanced composite materials.
Drilling, cutting or adjustment on site? No problem.
AFURail can be machined using standard woodworking tools – quickly, easily and without special equipment.
During train passages, the sleepers deform elastically and predictably, returning immediately to their original position.
This ensures that turnouts remain at the correct height and track geometry stays precise over many years.
With a thermal expansion coefficient of approximately 8 × 10⁻⁶ / K, AFURail meets the highest standards of dimensional stability and operational safety, even under extreme temperature variations.
Research by German universities has demonstrated that the use of the AFURail design type reduces turnout maintenance effort by a factor of 1:12 compared to conventional sleeper technologies – a clear advantage in economy and lifecycle cost.
Precise. Durable. Safe.
Special Solutions
Whether road crossings for heavy agricultural vehicles, sleepers with low construction height (from 10 cm) in restricted ballast zones, or applications with limited clearance, AFURail always provides a tailored solution.
Versatile in Application
Bridges with timber walking surfaces can be equipped with AFURail economically and with greatly extended service life.
The surface remains attractive, non-slip and long-lasting.
Safety and Protection
Whether safe walkways across track areas or sealed pedestrian decks on bridges, AFURail ensures that no objects fall onto roads or waterways and that environments remain protected.
And when performing maintenance, you can be sure your tools go home with you – not into the river.
Built to Last
AFURail offers the design freedom of wood while remaining weather-resistant and dimensionally stable for decades.
The result: maximum lifespan, efficiency and safety, even under demanding conditions.
Durable. Versatile. Safe.
