HOREF: Revolutionizing Rail Efficiency and Sustainability

CAF has replaced the furnace in its railway wheel forging process with a more energy-efficient installation as part of the HOREF initiative.

The HOREF project focuses on the wheel forging and heat treatment process. With the installation of the new machinery (two continuous-line furnaces and automatic handling until the wheels exit the tempering process), this project will lead to a substantial increase in energy savings indicators by reducing the current consumption of raw materials such as gas.

The project, part of the Directorate of Industry and Energy Transition's call for proposals called "Aid program for energy efficiency initiatives in SMEs and large companies in the industrial sector for the years 2019 and 2020," has received funding from the Basque Government and the European Union through the 2021-2027 European Regional Development Fund (FEDER).