Greener Logistics: Fully Circular Stormwater Management Solution Supports Major Rail Development in Poland

Circular economy is integral to Pipelife's self-imposed ESG goals, driven by the firm belief that sustainability should be part and parcel of modern infrastructure. We continuously seek opportunities to increase the ratio of recycled plastics in production while maintaining the highest possible product quality. Pipelife's stormwater management system Stormbox E, made from 100% recycled PP, serves as a testament that circularity and high reliability indeed go hand in hand. The eco-friendly solution has been selected as the winning proposal for modernizing the Małaszewicze cargo terminal — a major rail artery connecting Europe and East Asia.

_{Sustainable Stormwater Management} 

Launched in 2021, Stormbox E is one of the first fully recycled retention crate systems available in Poland, applicable for stormwater storage, retention or infiltration in green areas, parking lots and most road drainage projects. The crates are manufactured at Pipelife Poland's plant in Kartoszyno, using the highest quality recycled polypropylene (PP). Stormbox E crates meet the same international quality standards as similar systems from virgin material and have been in high demand in Pipelife's markets since the launch. One of the most recent large-scale investments, relying on the Stormbox E system, is the expansion of a rail logistic terminal of international importance located in Małaszewicze, eastern Poland.

_{Major Investment in Poland's Railway Infrastructure}

The Małaszewicze terminal is a vital part of Poland's railway network and a key element of the transport corridor between the European Union and East and Central Asia. The rapid growth of trade between these regions and the increasing importance of rail transport have necessitated the expansion and modernization of the crucial logistics center. 

The large-scale investment is managed by the INBAP Investment Fund. Part of the Małaszewicze modernization entails constructing six underground stormwater retention and infiltration tanks in the terminal area. Each tank will be assembled from the Stormbox E crates to efficiently collect rainwater and snowmelt and infiltrate it into the ground.

The development will ensure quick drainage of stormwater, securing the vital freight transport hub against adverse weather while adhering to the required environmental standards.

_{Designing a State-of-the-art Stormwater System for a Major Transport Hub}

To ensure the success of the high-importance investment, Pipelife Poland's team has been collaborating closely with the project's design office and the contractor. In total, Pipelife Poland supplied 11,987 Stormbox E crates, as well as complementary chambers and riser pipes.

The rainwater collected from the terminal's roads and car parks will be diverted to and stored in tanks Z1 and Z2 and then, after cleaning, discharged into the ground. Oil separators will be installed on the water connections to these tanks to remove pollutants. In addition, the rainwater from the parking lots will be stored in two leak-proof tanks (2 x 10 m³) before being pumped into the infiltration tank. 

The rainwater from the terminal platforms will be collected into two main tanks (Z4, Z5) and one backup tank (Z3) in case of overflow. The gullies collecting rainwater will be equipped with sedimentation tanks and filter baskets. The final tank, Z6, will collect rainwater from the railway tracks after it has been treated, protecting the system from an inflow of pollutants and enhancing infiltration efficiency. 

_{Pioneering Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions}

The construction works in Małaszewicze are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The expansion of the rail logistic terminal stands as a testament to the successful integration of sustainable construction practices in large-scale infrastructure projects. 

By utilizing the circular Stormbox E system, the Małaszewicze investment demonstrates that environmentally conscious infrastructure solutions can meet and exceed the rigorous demands of modern logistics. The project highlights the versatility and reliability of recycled materials in stormwater management systems and sets a benchmark for future developments.