British Steel has won its largest ever order for rail sleepers in a major export deal that will upgrade track at a mine in Guinea, with 244,000 units heading to West Africa.

Produced in Scunthorpe, home to the firm’s rail expertise, it equates to more than 20,000 tonnes of steel, with delivery over the next year.

It comes as the Jingye Group-owned business works through one of its most challenging periods, consulting on the closure of the coke ovens in the town, in a bid to make it more sustainable, with 260 jobs set to go. It is also in talks over a substantial support package as it faces up to inflationary pressures, with energy and carbon flagged.

This month’s marks three years of the Chinese company’s control of the manufacturing giant.

British Steel’s export sales manager for rail, Jérôme Bonef, said: “This is fantastic news for our business, particularly given the high level of competition we faced to secure this contract.

Our steel sleepers provide the perfect technical solution to the challenges facing rail operators in this region and we’re proud to have been chosen to support such a major project.”

Guinea is understood to possess more than a quarter of the world’s supply of bauxite and as it continues to increase its export capacity, it needs to upgrade existing freight lines. The excavated sedimentary rock is a main source of aluminium, with Guinea Bauxite Company the client.

British Steel will roll the sleepers, and has partnered with Doncaster-based Trackwork, who process into the finished form. French multi-national Pandrol will provide the railway fastenings to secure the sleepers.

Mr Bonef said: “We have long-term partnerships with Trackwork and Pandrol. Together we’re able to provide a complete global supply chain solution involving processed steel sleepers and railway fastenings. This enables us to meet all heavy-haul technical requirements and deliver a cost-effective and timely solution to our customer.”

Steel sleepers are stronger and more durable than wooden sleepers, which have been traditionally used in African regions. They are also completely recyclable, while road vehicles can carry three times the number, due to the weight difference and ability to stack.

Trackwork sales manager Dave Roberts said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of securing this contract; the most significant single order for steel railway sleepers in the long history of our partnership with British Steel.

Succeeding in the face of such high-level competition bears full testament to the expertise, competence and quality within our long-established global supply chain.”

Pandrol sales and commercial director in the UK, Iqbal Chadda, added: “Pandrol is proud to have collaborated in this unique project, which brings together the finest range of British products and expertise in order to provide a complete sleeper and rail package for West Africa.

The Pandrol team worked alongside British Steel to design a bespoke cast steel shoulder with an E-Clip that together provides an anti-vandal feature.”