Supplier Innovation Award 2026

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    • Faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective construction through industrially prefabricated modules: What is expected to accelerate residential construction in Germany is now also emerging as a key future trend in railway infrastructure renewal. At the InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin, Deutsche Bahn presented the “DB Supplier Innovation Award 2026” on September 23. The winner and two finalists of the innovation award are advancing new approaches that rely on prefabricated components for the renovation and construction of railway lines, tunnels, and bridges.

    The winner of the “Supplier Innovation Award 2026,” which recognizes outstanding market innovations for the DB Group, is Salcef Bau GmbH with its “FAST System” construction method. The company aims to enable accelerated modernization work without requiring a complete interruption of rail operations. This is to be achieved by replacing conventional ballast-based track structures with a slab track system, including the use of prefabricated track support slabs as the foundation.

    “What impressed us most was the ability to fundamentally rethink construction processes. Through the intelligent combination of prefabricated components, parallelized workflows, and an integrated construction method, future closures can be significantly shorter and less extensive,” said Michael Obrowski, DB Board Member for Finance. “This is good news for passengers. At the same time, the new construction approach must prove to be economically viable.”

    The finalists of the innovation award also included Max Bögl Stiftung & Co. KG and Ramboll Deutschland GmbH together with Laing O’Rourke.

    Max Bögl Stiftung was recognized for its modular tunnel construction method, in which the concrete inner linings of tunnels are no longer cast on site but are industrially prefabricated. This reduces construction time on the track because, for example, concrete no longer needs to cure during the works. Ramboll Deutschland GmbH and Laing O’Rourke received recognition for a flexible, modular prefabricated abutment system for bridge construction.

    The selection process was scientifically supported by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) in Karlsruhe. Evaluation criteria included the degree of innovation and uniqueness, added value and contribution to results, as well as sustainability and environmental protection.

    Modular construction methods can offer significant advantages in rail infrastructure projects: Besides shorter construction times, these include improved quality, greater cost-effectiveness, enhanced planning reliability, and better working conditions.