CONTACT:
Charles Nygard
Global Recycling Technology Group
http://www.grtginc.com
July 20, 2005
King of Prussia, PA
COMPOSITE RAILROAD CROSSTIES DEVELOPED BY METRO-PHILADELPHIA FIRM IN AN EFFORT TO REPLACE CHEMICALLY TREATED WOODEN TIES.
The railroad industry has long relied on wooden crossties to secure their rail lines. Wood, however, must be treated chemically to achieve longevity. Pressure from environmental groups to halt the production of dangerous wood treatment chemicals, namely creosote, is presenting an opportunity for several inventors who are developing a composite crosstie made of recycled rubber and plastic.
The Global Recycling Technology Group (GRTG), a metro-Philadelphia based firm, is using proprietary and patented technology in the manufacture of composite railroad crossties comprised of recycled rubber and plastic. The new crossties, to be introduced under the name TitanTie, have been in development for several years and are now being manufactured and placed on several local rail lines in the Philadelphia corridor. The process used by GRTG is unique in the industry and consumes a great quantity of scrap tires.
Scrap tires have long been a disposal problem to the world environment. Many states have instituted tire collection programs in an effort to reduce tire stockpiles and remove the tires from landfills. However, a majority of tires collected are incinerated and used as tire derived fuel in replacement of coal and other fuel sources. Independent studies have argued that this method creates harmful dioxins and furons, known carcinogens.
GRTG plans to manufacture the first crossties in their 25,000 sq. foot facility located in King of Prussia. The crossties will be installed on the Penn Eastern Rail Lines south of Philadelphia. GRTG officials plan to start full scale manufacturing in the Fall, 2005.
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