Compared to wood, steel, or plastic, concrete has established itself as the most durable and sustainable material for railway sleepers. Concrete sleepers can last up to 50 years and are highly resistant to environmental influences. They also have low thermal expansion , which is beneficial for track stability.
Wooden railway sleepers, on the other hand, must be impregnated to ensure their longevity. Previously, substances considered harmful to health and banned in the EU were used for this purpose. Furthermore, tropical hardwoods were frequently used, which is no longer acceptable for climate protection reasons.
Steel sleepers are primarily used in industrial areas, but have a worse CO2 footprint and do not achieve the same stability as concrete. Plastic sleepers are a niche product, mainly used where low weight is important – for example, on bridges. Their lifespan is similar to that of concrete, but recycling them is difficult.