In the current context of transition towards low-carbon mobility, sustainability has become an essential requirement for all players in the railway sector. However, the real challenge is not only to reduce environmental impact, but to measure it, demonstrate it and improve it in a transparent way throughout the entire product lifecycle.

At CAF MIIRA, we understand sustainability as a tangible commitment that goes beyond statements. Our approach is based on verifiable data, internationally recognized methodologies and a comprehensive lifecycle perspective of our products.

Measuring what matters: the value of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)

CAF MIIRA has become the first Wheels & Axles supplier to publish Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), covering its core portfolio: wheels, axles, gearboxes and resilient wheels.

EPDs may provide objective and verified information on the environmental impact of a product across all stages of its lifecycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life.

This approach enables:

• Accurate quantification of environmental impact
• Identification of real improvement opportunities
• Full transparency for customers and stakeholders 

It is not only about reducing emissions, but about making the real impact visible and managing it in a rigorous way.

Operational impact: designing more efficient products

Beyond manufacturing, CAF MIIRA integrates eco-design principles into the development of its solutions, aiming to improve environmental performance during the operational phase of rolling stock.

Recent developments include:

• Significant weight reduction of critical components, such as gearboxes (up to 30%)
• Optimized material usage

These improvements directly contribute to reducing energy consumption and associated emissions throughout the product’s lifetime.

Circular economy: closing the loop

CAF MIIRA incorporates circular economy principles both in its production processes and product design.

Currently:

• Up to 98% of the steel used in wheels and axles comes from recycled material
• 99.7% of wheels and axles are recyclable at end-of-life

This approach minimizes resource consumption and maximizes material reuse, optimizing overall environmental impact.

Responsible production and climate commitment

CAF MIIRA is actively working to reduce its environmental footprint through:

• 100% renewable electricity consumption in its operations
• Reduction of energy consumption and emissions (>25% in some processes)
• Alignment with Science Based Targets (SBTi)

These efforts form part of a strategy aligned with the CAF Group’s global decarbonization commitments.

EcoApproved: data-driven sustainability

EcoApproved is CAF MIIRA’s initiative to bring the environmental performance of our solutions to the market.

EcoApproved is not just a label, but the expression of a model based on:

• Lifecycle measurement (LCA)
• Verified impact through Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
• Eco-design, efficiency and circularity

By integrating these elements, EcoApproved makes sustainability measurable, comparable and transparent for customers and stakeholders.

A data-driven approach to sustainability

At CAF MIIRA, sustainability is not defined solely by targets, but by the ability to measure, compare and continuously improve.

Our approach is based on:

• Verifiable data
• Recognized methodologies
• Market transparency
• Evidence-based continuous improvement

Because only by measuring real impact is it possible to build truly sustainable mobility.