UK infrastructure operator Network Rail has awarded Dutch company Lankhorst Rail a contract to help develop the next generation of railway sleepers. Specifically, Network Rail is planning to use Lankhorst's KLP composite sleepers, made from recycled plastic reinforced with steel, to investigate the flexural rigidity, flexibility, and temperature resistance of different profiles. This will include evaluating their ability to handle prolonged periods of high temperatures during heat waves. From an installation perspective, the KLP hybrid sleeper allows the rail to be attached to the sleeper itself, as a base plate is integrated into the moulded sleeper, allowing for faster track installation. KLP sleepers were first installed in the Netherlands in 2006 and are also approved by infrastructure managers in Germany, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Malaysia.
