Hindalco signs Technology Partnership with Metra for aluminium rail coaches

Hindalco Industries has partnered with Italy-based Metra to manufacture high-speed aluminium rail coaches in India. The partnership aims to produce large-size aluminium extrusion and fabrication technology, with Hindalco investing Rs 2,000 crore in Vande Bharat trains. Hindalco Industries, the world’s largest aluminium rolling and recycling company, has taken a bold leap into the future of rail transportation by signing a ground-breaking technology partnership with Italy-based Metra Spa, a sixty-year veteran in structured and value-added aluminium extrusions

This strategic collaboration is cantered on transferring advanced aluminium extrusion, machining, and welding technologies to India, enabling the domestic production of large-size aluminium extrusions with lengths exceeding twenty metres for crafting high-speed rail coaches, (Hindalco) particularly for flagship projects like the Vande Bharat trains In pursuit of this vision, Hindalco is investing an eye-catching ₹2,000 crore to establish a greenfield facility equipped with the largest extrusion press in the country, tailored to manufacture side panels, floor panels, and other structurally critical components using the new metal and fabrication techniques This infusion of Italian expertise into the Indian rail manufacturing ecosystem promises to elevate domestic capabilities, aligning seamlessly with the government’s Make in India initiative and aspirations toward an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The marriage of Hindalco’s aluminium production excellence with Metre’s extrusion mastery is set to drive a transformative wave across the Indian Railways’ upgradation programme, which is in the midst of modernizing infrastructure, introducing sleek air-conditioned carriages, and accelerating high-speed operations Aluminium’s appeal lies in its lightness and mechanical strength qualities that support aerodynamic efficiency, lower energy consumption, and reduced wear and tear on track and rolling stock Indeed, aluminium coaches, while initially more expensive than their steel counterparts, offer significant long-term savings in rail infrastructure, operational efficiency, and carbon emissions a critical advantage for rail networks striving for net-zero targets.

rail infrastructure, operational

Hindalco’s recent launch of India’s first all-aluminium lightweight freight rake vividly illustrates this promise. The rake is not only lighter and more energy-efficient it is projected to save over 14,500 tonnes of CO₂ over its lifetime underscoring how advanced aluminium solutions can deliver both environmental and operational wins Building on this success, Hindalco has unveiled plans to introduce three additional freight wagon designs tailored for specific commodities such as cement and food grains, further leveraging its aluminium fabrication capabilities By bringing Metre’s global-grade expertise into Indian soil, Hindalco isn’t just upgrading its manufacturing capabilities—it is reshaping the very future of passenger comfort, durability, and efficiency in Indian rail travel.

This technology infusion offers a fusion of Italian precision and Indian scale, all converging around one goal: to redefine high-speed, sustainable, and aesthetically refined passenger coach manufacturing in India Central to this narrative is Hindalco’s commitment to sustainable innovation across sectors, from commercial vehicles and electric vehicles to freight wagons and rail coaches, as (Technology) emphasized by its managing director, Satish Pai Metre’s CEO, Enrico Zamperini, likewise underscores the opportunity to showcase their aluminium extrusion prowess on a global stage and to co-create rail manufacturing benchmarks with Hindalco’s deep market insight

At its heart, this partnership is more than just a technology transfer it is an investment in building an indigenous, world-class aluminium coach manufacturing ecosystem that addresses energy efficiency, carbon footprint, and cutting-edge passenger experiences. With the Vande Bharat series and future high-speed corridors in focus, the union of Hindalco’s infrastructure and Metre’s extrusion finesse is poised to redefine what modern rail travel and rail manufacturing looks like in India.