FAIVELEY TRANSPORT LEIPZIG GMBH & CO. KG

Their core work

Faiveley Transport Leipzig is a German subsidiary of the global rail equipment group Faiveley Transport (now part of Wabtec Corporation), specializing in onboard subsystems for trains. Their core work includes the design and supply of braking systems, entrance/door systems, HVAC climate control, and traction components for rolling stock. In H2020, they contributed specialist knowledge to next-generation train platforms covering both conventional and emerging hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. Their involvement as a third-party supplier in large rail innovation projects reflects their role as a Tier 1 component provider to European train manufacturers.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earliest H2020 involvement (PIVOT2, 2019) focused on conventional mechanical train subsystems — carbody shells, brakes, doors, and HVAC — the traditional bread and butter of a rail component supplier. By 2020-2021, their projects shifted toward electrification and decarbonization: SiC-based traction systems for high-speed trains (PINTA3) and hydrogen fuel cell power packs for rail (FCH2RAIL). This trajectory shows a clear pivot from mechanical subsystems toward clean propulsion and energy-efficient traction technologies.

They are moving from traditional mechanical rail components toward electrified and hydrogen-powered propulsion, positioning themselves for the EU's push to decarbonize rail transport.

How they like to work

Faiveley Transport Leipzig primarily participates as a third-party contributor (2 of 3 projects), brought in by lead partners for specialized subsystem expertise rather than driving project direction. Their single direct participation (PINTA3) was as a partner, not a coordinator. With 53 unique partners across 10 countries, they operate within the large Shift2Rail-type consortia typical of EU rail innovation, where major OEMs, operators, and component suppliers collaborate on integrated train platforms.

They have worked with 53 different partners across 10 countries, indicating broad integration into the European rail innovation ecosystem. Their network likely spans major rail OEMs, infrastructure managers, and research institutes participating in the Shift2Rail joint undertaking.

What sets them apart

Faiveley Transport Leipzig bridges the gap between conventional train subsystems (brakes, doors, HVAC) and next-generation propulsion technologies (SiC traction, hydrogen fuel cells) — a combination few single suppliers cover. As part of the Wabtec group, they bring industrial-scale manufacturing capability and type-approval experience to R&D consortia, meaning prototype results can actually reach production. For consortium builders, they offer a credible path from demonstration to deployment in real rolling stock programs.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FCH2RAIL
  Represents their strategic move into hydrogen rail propulsion — a fuel cell hybrid power pack prototype with standardisation work, aligning with Europe's zero-emission rail agenda.
• PINTA3
  Their only direct participation with EUR 169,839 funding, focused on advanced SiC traction systems and independently driven motors for high-speed trains.
• PIVOT2
  Large-scale train performance improvement program covering multiple subsystems (brakes, doors, HVAC, interiors), showing their breadth as a multi-component supplier.