New Fire Safety Standards in Railway Cables

Railway systems (trains, metros, trams) require the highest level of fire safety standards. Especially in enclosed and crowded passenger cars, the speed of flame propagation, smoke density, and toxic gas emissions directly affect passenger safety.
Therefore, new European standards such as EN 50306 introduce much stricter fire performance criteria for railway cables.

The EN 50306 standard requires cables to meet the Hazard Level 3 (HL3) requirements defined in EN 45545. This means that cable materials must not only be flame-retardant but also emit minimal smoke and toxic gases during a fire.
These high requirements have made the use of Halogen-Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) materials mandatory in railway cable manufacturing.

Importance of Halogen-Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) Materials

Conventional PVC cables release heavy black smoke and corrosive acidic gases when burning. This smoke reduces visibility, makes evacuation difficult, and can seriously harm respiratory systems.

In contrast, HFFR (Halogen-Free Flame Retardant) cable materials demonstrate a much cleaner burning behavior.
Because they contain no halogens, they produce only light smoke and water vapor, generating far less harmful emissions.
This ensures better visibility of escape routes and protects electronic equipment from corrosive gases.

HFFR materials also have a high oxygen index, slowing down flame propagation and preventing self-sustained burning.
As a result, they have become the preferred solution for modern fire-safe cabling systems.

Features and Advantages of LYS POLYCHEM HFFR Compounds

At LYS POLYCHEM, we develop halogen-free cable compounds that offer exceptional fire resistance and processing performance.
Our HFFR compound family helps cable manufacturers meet safety standards while also improving production efficiency.

Key features of LYS POLYCHEM HFFR compounds:

• Free from halogens — produce very low smoke and toxicity during combustion.
• Successfully pass IEC/EN 60332-1 flame propagation tests.
• Exhibit self-extinguishing behavior, preventing flame spread in fire conditions.

These properties make our HFFR granules ideal for railway cables and other critical applications, enhancing overall safety and reliability.

Application Areas: From Railway to Automotive

LYS POLYCHEM HFFR compounds are used across a wide range of industries, enabling manufacturers to serve multiple markets with one reliable solution.

Railway and Mass Transit Systems

Our HFFR materials are indispensable for train, metro, and tram cables requiring EN 50306 and EN 45545 compliance.
From thin-wall signal cables to power transmission cables, they ensure safe and stable performance within passenger cabins.
Thanks to their halogen-free formulation, they minimize smoke and toxic gas emission, maximizing passenger safety.

Building and Infrastructure Cables

In high-rise buildings, shopping malls, and tunnels, CPR-compliant, low-smoke cable materials are essential.
Our HFFR-based insulation solutions provide top fire reaction ratings, facilitating safer evacuation and preventing damage to electronic systems.

Automotive and Transportation

The trend toward halogen-free flame-retardant materials is growing in automotive wiring systems.
For buses, trains, and ships, standards such as ECE R-118 require insulation materials that self-extinguish and emit no toxic gases.
LYS POLYCHEM HFFR compounds meet these demands with:

• High temperature resistance
• Resistance to oils, fuels, and mechanical stress
• Protection for both passengers and electronic components

Why Choose LYS POLYCHEM?

As a B2B technology partner, LYS POLYCHEM is more than a supplier — we are an engineering ally supporting your compliance and innovation needs.

Technical Compliance and Certification Support

Our products comply with major international standards, including EN 50306, EN 45545, and CPR.
We assist manufacturers during certification processes, helping them enter new markets and meet project requirements smoothly.

Customizable Formulations

Every application requires unique performance parameters.
Our R&D team can customize flexibility, hardness, color, or processing behavior of the compounds, offering tailor-made solutions that optimize both technical performance and production efficiency.

Quality, Logistics, and Supply Continuity

All LYS POLYCHEM products go through strict quality control to ensure consistency.
We offer 25 kg bag and 2000 kg big-bag packaging options for flexible production planning.
Thanks to long shelf life and excellent processability, manufacturers experience smooth, interruption-free production.

Leading the Transition to Safer, Greener Cable Materials

The new generation of fire safety standards is driving the cable industry toward safer and more sustainable materials.
At LYS POLYCHEM, we lead this transformation by providing halogen-free flame-retardant compounds that boost both safety and competitiveness.

We invite cable and automotive manufacturers to partner with us in achieving superior safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainability goals.
Together, we can develop products that not only meet international standards but also earn end-user trust.

Remember: Fire-resistant, low-smoke, and eco-friendly cable materials protect lives and enhance your brand reputation.
With LYS POLYCHEM solutions, you can start meeting the future of fire safety standards today.