SWIETELSKY RAILTRACK TECH RDI

Financing Swietelsky's research and development (R&D) and innovation in equipment and integrated technology for rail maintenance.

The project will foster innovation in railway construction, rehabilitation and maintenance. It will support a key European company in this field, and its effort to contribute to improved safety and speed of railway transportation in the EU. The project also aims at developing the promoter's knowledge and know-how in the field of integrated and optimised railtrack maintenance operations, as well as to contribute to the further dissemination of knowledge, through its links with the promoter's industrial partners.

The research, development and innovation (RDI) activities are expected to be carried out in existing R&D centres that will not change their scope due to the project. The due diligence will determine whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required, in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU. The manufacturing of railway equipment is listed in Annex II of the directive, which states that the Member State will determine whether the project shall be made subject to an assessment. The Bank's services will further assess all the environmental details during the due diligence.

The promoter is a private company not operating in the utilities sector and not having a status of a contracting entity, thus not being subject to EU rules on public procurement. However, if after the project appraisal the EIB were to conclude that the promoter is after all subject to EU public procurement legislation, then the Bank would require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project have been/will be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directive 2004/17/EC and Directive 92/13/EEC), with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required.

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