Evertrak LLC, a manufacturer of composite railroad ties made with recycled plastics based in St. Louis, has announced a strategic partnership with Sumitomo Corp. of America.
"By joining forces with Sumitomo, whose mission of enriching lives and sustaining the future aligns perfectly with our vision, we're positioned to create lasting impact in the North American railroad industry," said Tim Nooan, CEO and founder of Evertrak.
By joining in partnership, Evertrak will be able to expand the company's production capabilities and scale operations. The company will also focus on the increase in demand for sustainable rail infrastructure in North America.
SCOA will invest in Evertrak and support the company's innovative ideas to make railroads safer, resilient and sustainable. SCOA will help the company with accelerating product development and improving the total cost of ownership for the railroad industry.
"Evertrak is creating a brand-new category of railroad ties that are capable of withstanding both the long-term operational and environmental challenges in the high decay zones of North America and beyond," said Takamitsu Munakata, general manager of the metal products for transportation department of SCOA. "This partnership reflects our commitment to investing in solutions that address generational challenges, while creating sustainable value for the industry."
The Evertrak 7000, the company's proprietary product, is manufactured from glass-fiber reinforced recycled plastics. The product has a lifespan of over 50 years in high decay zones, where wood railroad ties would only last about 8-12 years.