Moroccan National Railway Company has placed 2 purchase orders for railway cross ties made from Recycled Structural Composite with American company Axion International.

ONCF operates more than 1100 miles of track throughout Morocco and carried over 29 million passengers last year. ONCF also has plans for a TGV from Tangers to Casablanca and is currently undergoing major upgrades to its network.

Mr James Kerstein CEO of Axion said that "ONCF's selection of Axion RSC was driven by the fact that in virtually every conceivable situation RSC is less expensive than traditional solutions, it is easier to install, and it lasts much longer."

More than 200,000 Axion RSC sleepers have been purchased and installed by freight and transit railroads to date. According to the company, the material is significantly more cost effective than concrete and wood over 25 year period.

Axion plastics have a density of .029 lb per cubic inch to .031 lb per cubic inch which compares with Southern Pine; .021 lb per cubic inch and steel,.283 lb per cubic inch. Axion products compare favourably with wood under sheer stress and creep is not an issue when designing to a maximum compressive stress of 600psi.

(Sourced from the Global Herald)