High-speed Rail
KATEM is leading the railway industry based on High-speed Rail technologies,
growing from a strong domestic SME into a global Hidden Champion.

Business Overview

KATEM Co., Ltd. is a specialized supplier of railway vehicle components, with its core product being brake discs for rail vehicles.
The railway industry is an eco-friendly sector with zero carbon emissions and continues to grow both domestically and internationally.
KATEM currently supplies forged steel brake discs for KTX to Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL).

Key Technologies & Achievements

  • Forged steel discs for KTX: World’s first crack-prevention manufacturing technology applied, enhanced wear resistance
  • Bolt placement on the exterior for easier maintenance
  • Casting steel discs for KTX-Sancheon: High tensile strength ensuring heat and wear resistance
  • Localization of 320km/h wheel-mounted discs under development

Vision

KATEM aims to dominate the domestic market and emerge as a Hidden Champion globally
by developing brake discs for ultra High-speed Rail exceeding 400km/h.

Details
KATEM’s railway business, its core area, is an eco-friendly industry attracting significant domestic and international attention, and is expected to maintain steady growth.
While the railway sector has historically grown in Europe and Japan, China is investing heavily, and recently, North and Central America, Asia, and Africa have introduced railway systems to improve safety and convenience, representing substantial investment opportunities.
As a specialized supplier of railway vehicle components, KATEM’s primary product is the brake disc for rail vehicles. The company has already secured design, manufacturing, and evaluation technologies for brake discs for High-speed Rail exceeding 300km/h, and has supplied forged steel discs for KTX to KORAIL since 2023, with casting steel discs for KTX-Sancheon scheduled for supply.
KTX forged steel brake discs incorporate the world’s first crack-prevention manufacturing technology, preventing surface cracks under harsh operating conditions and improving wear resistance, giving them a technical edge over competitors. Bolts are externally positioned for easy visual inspection, enhancing maintenance convenience, making this a uniquely domestic model. Casting steel discs for KTX-Sancheon offer superior heat and wear resistance due to higher tensile strength.
Efforts are underway to localize 320km/h wheel-mounted discs, with all employees committed to dominating the domestic market for High-speed Rail brake discs exceeding 300km/h.
KATEM is also focused on developing brake discs for ultra High-speed Rail exceeding 400km/h. While global wheel-mounted brake discs are typically made of casting steel, KATEM plans to use its forged steel manufacturing technology to achieve superior heat and wear resistance, providing a solution for future ultra High-speed Rail brake discs.
Furthermore, leveraging its established manufacturing technologies for both casting and forged steel brake discs, KATEM can continuously supply discs for semi-high-speed, conventional, and commuter rail vehicles, completing its product lineup in the railway brake disc sector. Through this, KATEM aims to position itself as a leading domestic SME and a global Hidden Champion, with employees dedicated to delivering the best Product to customers.
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