Circularity
NS is a frontrunner within the rail industry regarding circularity. Transforming from a linear to a circular economy is important to achieve CO₂ targets and prevent further depletion of raw materials.
To maintain this leading position, we remain open to innovations and business models aimed at optimizing materials and processes that ensure value retention. In this context, we apply the R-strategies to assess products.
Circularity examples
From Rotable Part to Consumable Part
About 15% of train parts are currently repaired. The “From Rotable Part to Consumable Part” programme aims to further increase this percentage to extend the product lifespan.
Are the parts you supply also repairable, and do you think this could be interesting? If so, please include this as an option in your quotation.
Inflow/Outflow/Product Passport
Inflow
Suppliers delivering products to NS are required to report the inflow of these products, so that NS can gain insight into the circularity of the products entering our company. The inflow template can be used for this purpose.
Outflow
If you (also) dispose of (used) products, you are required to report data on this ‘outflow’ on a quarterly basis. This can be done through the outflow report. The may be used for this purpose.
Product Passport
For rail (trains/systems), the EUROSPEC product passport has been developed in collaboration with other major transport operators. The newly developed DDNG train (Double-Decker New Generation) will be the first train to be provided with this product passport. This product passport goes beyond the standard inflow information, also including details such as the design and the presence of irreversible connections.
If you have access to more than just the inflow information and can comply with EUROSPEC, you contribute to minimising the amount of materials ending up in the incinerator.
There is no such thing as waste
NS is fully committed to eliminating waste and viewing discarded materials as raw materials for new products. We are already making significant progress in minimising the amount of materials sent to incineration and have established solid agreements with our waste processor to this end. However, there is always room for improvement. As materials become increasingly scarce, it becomes more economically viable to take back used products from NS after their service life.
Do you expect that products you sell to NS can be reused by other customers after their use at NS? If so, please indicate this in your quotation.
