CompPair and SBB partner to strengthen the durability and sustainability of ICN trains
- emilie63964
- Sep 2
- 2 min read
At CompPair, we believe that innovation in materials can change industries for the better. That vision has just taken an exciting step forward: we are partnering with SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) to integrate our HealTech™ technology into the ICN train fleet.
Tackling a costly challenge in rail
Rail transport is one of the most sustainable ways to travel — but keeping trains in service is no small task. Certain parts of the train body, particularly the cowcatcher (the front component of the locomotive), are exposed to heavy impacts and constant temperature variations. Over time, this leads to damage, frequent repairs, and costly replacements.
For SBB, these maintenance needs represent both a financial challenge and an environmental one: each replacement part requires resources, downtime, and manpower.
A smarter, faster way to repair
This is where CompPair’s repairable composite technology makes the difference. Instead of discarding damaged parts, our HealTech™ solution allows them to be repaired in minutes — directly on site. The material itself regenerates, restoring its full strength without the need to manufacture and install an entirely new component.
The benefits are clear:
Lower maintenance costs by reducing the frequency of interventions
Longer part lifetimes thanks to regenerative properties
Reduced downtime of trains in operation
Improved sustainability through less waste and more efficient use of resources
As Amaël Cohades, CEO of CompPair, puts it:
“Our goal is to showcase how advanced materials can make a tangible economic and ecological difference in the daily operations of the rail industry. We’re proud to support SBB in driving innovation for more durable and sustainable transport.”
A pioneering collaboration
Beginning in 2025, CompPair’s technology will be integrated into the ICN refit programme via SBB’s existing suppliers. This ensures seamless adoption within current maintenance workflows while setting a new standard for efficiency and sustainability in the railway sector.
The cowcatcher has been selected as the first component to benefit from this innovation. Its frequent exposure to impacts makes it the perfect case study to demonstrate how repairable composites can extend the lifetime of train parts and reduce unnecessary replacements.
Pascal Vock, Head of Research and Innovation at SBB, emphasises the importance of the project:
“With this collaboration, we are taking a concrete step toward reducing material waste and maintenance costs while increasing the service life of key components. CompPair’s solution offers an exciting opportunity to combine operational efficiency with responsible resource management.”
Building the future of rail
For CompPair, this partnership is more than a milestone — it’s proof that regenerative materials can transform traditional industries. Together with SBB, we are showing that the rail sector can push boundaries in durability and sustainability, setting an example for the wider transport industry.
This is just the beginning. By demonstrating the value of HealTech™ composites on the ICN fleet, the path opens for larger-scale implementation across the railway system — and for a future where trains last longer, cost less to maintain, and tread more lightly on the planet.
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