A new intermodal transport system designed by Innofreight, known as the CemTainer, has been introduced to streamline cement transportation for urban construction projects.
CemTainer system provides a rail-road logistics combination for the delivery of cement from rail terminals directly to construction sites. It is targeting growing demand in for example German-speaking cities such as Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Vienna.
Innofreight's CemTainer measures 22.5 feet, allowing four units to fit onto an InnoWaggon (2x45 ft). Each container carries a payload of up to 30 tonnes, equivalent to four tonnes per meter of train length. The shorter container length compared to conventional 30 ft silo units contributes to more compact train configurations.
The container design allows gravity loading via two top-mounted hatches, standardized to match the Uacs silo rail wagons' dimensions. Unloading utilizes compressed air with a maximum pressure of two bar, fluidizing cement to simplify the discharge by tipping. Each CemTainer provides a volume capacity of 32 cubic meters, weighing three tonnes empty.
A central feature of the system is its urban maneuverability, enabling efficient operation within city traffic conditions. The containers can be transferred onto semi-trailers, and in combination with electric trucks for final-mile transport, the system intends to lower CO₂ emissions relative to conventional road transport.
Trials of Innofreight's CemTainer took place in 2024 with Schwenk Zement in Bernburg, Germany, and Rohrdorfer in Gmunden, Austria. The container structure predominantly utilizes recycled steel, reflecting a focus on environmental considerations in logistics planning.
