Confidence That Performs:
Naue Meets Deutsche Bahn’s HPQ Requirements for Planar Drainage

Railways carry millions of people. Every day. In all weather conditions. Under extreme loads. In railway construction, the structure beneath and alongside the track determines safety, durability and cost efficiency. Particularly under the high dynamic loads that occur daily in rail traffic, every detail matters. The substructure must remain permanently functional, reliably accommodate movements and provide controlled drainage.

Anyone wishing to use geosynthetics in railway construction requires robust verification: the manufacturer-related product qualification (HPQ) of Deutsche Bahn. It is one of the most demanding product-specific qualifications in German infrastructure construction. Naue meets these requirements and sets a strong benchmark in the market with its HPQ for planar drainage.

With the HPQ for planar drainage in railway construction, Naue demonstrates its technical expertise in a highly specialised field of application. Especially in applications such as bridge abutments, reliable and high-performance drainage is essential to ensure the long-term functionality of the overall system.

What does this mean in practice?

For planners, contractors and executing companies, it means one thing above all: greater certainty in design, tendering and execution. Qualified products simplify coordination, reduce project risks and provide clarity in product selection.

In January 2026, Deutsche Bahn AG renewed the HPQ for Secudrain® WAS 7. The alkali-resistant drainage element for the drainage of backfill areas is therefore qualified for use within the DB network until January 2029. It is manufactured at Naue’s production site in Adorf/Vogtland, Germany, and tested in accordance with DBS 918 039.

Secudrain® WAS 7 not only meets the required qualification but also offers practical advantages for daily construction work. With a product width of 1.9 m, the drainage element enables fast vertical and horizontal installation. The simple butt-joint connection supports efficient installation and reduces on-site effort. Depending on the application, soil material can be saved and logistics processes optimised. Fast availability further contributes to reliable construction workflows.

An HPQ does not merely confirm a tested product. It also certifies that the processes behind it comply with Deutsche Bahn’s strict requirements – from raw material selection and manufacturing to quality assurance.

For planners and contractors, this results in three decisive advantages:

• Security in tendering: the required HPQ verification is available
• Reliability in execution: qualified product quality for the intended application area
• Confidence in long-term performance: high quality standards and manufacturing expertise from Naue

Whether new high-speed lines, upgrades, modernisation or expansion of existing networks: Naue supports railway projects with tested, approved products and technical expertise. Our geosynthetics not only meet the high requirements of Deutsche Bahn but are also certified according to internationally recognised standards and management systems, including CE, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 and IVG.

Naue products have proven themselves in numerous projects – from the Wendlingen–Ulm high-speed railway line to the upgrading of swamp sections in the Spreewald region, as well as in many international infrastructure projects.

Take a closer look at the geosynthetic solutions shaping tomorrow’s railway infrastructure.