(Vienna, 15 July 2025) – Last year, the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) transported a total of 1.4 million tonnes of wood for Papierholz Austria by rail. This wood is then processed into high-quality pulp and groundwood pulp at the wood purchasing company's shareholder plants, which primarily supply the paper manufacturing industry. RCG's climate-friendly wood transport for Papierholz Austria saved almost 34,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2024.
The Papierholz Austria companies include the wood plants Heinzel Pöls (Styria), Mondi Frantschach (Carinthia), Sappi Gratkorn (Styria) and Norske Skog Bruck (Styria). The purchasing company acts as a link between forest owners and the wood processing industry. RCG transports wood chips and logs on behalf of Papierholz Austria. Every year, around 40,000 freight wagons are handled via the company's own sidings – and the trend is rising.
This cooperation shows how climate-friendly logistics is being thought of and realised along the entire value chain – and how it continues to develop.
Up to 900 block trains per year by railThe partnership between RCG and Papierholz Austria goes back a long way. Andreas Kogler, Managing Director of Papierholz Austria, is delighted: "A major milestone in our company's history was the start of wood chip transport with block trains 20 years ago. We now handle up to 900 block trains a year together with the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group."
Over the years, the cooperation has intensified and the focus placed on and optimised for the entire transport process – from the forest to the shipper to the carrier. One example of this optimisation is a special container tipping system at the Heinzel Pöls plant, which was developed as a joint pilot project in 2009 and has facilitated the unloading of wood chips ever since.
The challenge of climate change and extreme weatherCurrent challenges such as climate change and extreme weather events make it necessary to remain flexible in the future. Christoph Grasl, CEO of the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, emphasises: "We have already put many successful projects into motion together. Our strong cooperation is always in demand, for example in the event of extreme weather. We want to be a strong partner for Papierholz Austria even in challenging situations and work together to find flexible solutions in the future."
Everything at a glance thanks to MIKE – the digital logistics platform The future of wood transport by rail is networked, innovative and efficient: in future, empty wagon orders, transport orders and shipment tracking will be carried out directly from Papierholz Austria's own system via a digital interface. This is made possible by MIKE, RCG's digital logistics platform. This tool will significantly reduce the time-consuming exchange of information via Excel lists, e-mails, telephone calls or additional system accesses. The planned integration of MIKE into Papierholz Austria's systems will enable continuous data exchange for all transports. Processing via MIKE combines all interfaces into a functioning whole.
Video on wood transport by ÖBB Rail Cargo Group and Papierholz Austria: From Forest to Factory – Full Value Chain Timber Logistics with Papierholz Austria - YouTubeRail Cargo Group: the freight transport division of the ÖBB As a leading rail logistics provider in Europe, we are shaping the industry. 365 days a year – 24 hours a day. Across Europe and beyond into Asia. With our presence in 18 countries – and our own traction in 13 of them – we connect people, businesses and markets from the first to the last mile. It’s thanks to our 6,014 logistics professionals that 418,114 trains a year, respectively 1,150 a day, reach their destinations safe and sound. With our efficient end-to-end logistics services, we transport 79,9 million net tonnes of freight each year.