TieTek, a manufacturer of composite crossties for rail applications, has opened a new 50,000-ft² (4,645m²) production plant in Houston, Texas. The new facility complements the company’s flagship manufacturing facility in nearby Marshall.

TieTek expects the facility to increase the production of its composite crossties by 50 percent. Reportedly, the new plant’s manufacturing flexibility permits production of crossties and switch-ties up to 22 ft/6.7m long. TieTek says these new, longer ties are required to meet the need for track maintenance and new construction.

With three lines in production, TieTek expects to consume 1 million lb (454 metric tonnes) of recycled plastic and rubber each week, sourced from more than 15,000 used automobile tires.