ArcelorMittal Poland, located in Dąbrowa Górnicza, is advancing the production of a new type of railway rail known as R400HT. The company announced on Thursday that this innovative product is suitable for use in extreme conditions.
The R400HT rails feature the highest hardness and wear resistance among products approved by European Union standards, according to a statement from ArcelorMittal Poland. “Such products present a challenge for the world’s best rail manufacturers — currently unattainable for the vast majority of them,” the statement continued.
The company intends to produce these new railway rails for a Canadian open-pit mine operated by the global corporation ArcelorMittal, where iron ore is transported at temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Discussions are ongoing regarding the initial shipment of rails from Poland to Canada.
“The type of rail we are introducing achieves remarkable hardness both on the surface and in the cross-section, translating into exceptional durability under intense load conditions,” explained Tomasz Wojciechowski, head of product development for long products at ArcelorMittal Poland. He added that customers not only from Poland but also from demanding markets such as Scandinavia and Canada are eagerly awaiting this product, as their railway infrastructure operates under very low temperatures and high loads.
ArcelorMittal Poland indicated that it aims to complete qualification testing of the new rails by 2026, with work having commenced last year.
Strategic Move Towards High-Quality Standards
The introduction of this new rail type is strategically significant for the company, as it not only meets the needs of demanding customers but also allows participation in tenders where this type of rail is a prerequisite. This project marks an important step towards strengthening the company’s position in the technologically advanced railway rail segment, explained Marek Kempa, managing director of the long products division at ArcelorMittal Poland.
ArcelorMittal Poland is the largest steel producer in the country, accounting for approximately 50% of Poland’s steel industry capacity, with five plants located in Kraków, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Sosnowiec, and Świętochłowice. The company also owns the Zdzieszowice Coke Plant. The global corporation ArcelorMittal operates in over 60 countries.
In recent years, the group has been reporting losses. In 2025, it recorded a net loss of 1.056 billion PLN, a decrease of 23.1% year-on-year, but revenues fell by 11.4%. The workforce was reduced by over 400 employees to 9,400, despite an 8.9% increase in wages. Last year, ArcelorMittal closed its Chorzów plant, citing high energy prices and the costs associated with the ETS system as the primary reasons.
The introduction of high-quality products may serve as a transition to higher-margin offerings, potentially enhancing the profitability of the entire ArcelorMittal group in Poland.
