GB Railfreight (GBRf) has secured a two-year contract with Imerys to transport china clay from Cornwall to destinations in the South West and Midlands.
Under the agreement, GBRf will move kaolin from local Cornish rail sites to Fowey Docks and Cliffe Vale in Staffordshire. The material, widely used in industries including paper, cosmetics, paint and pharmaceuticals, remains a key part of Cornwall’s long-established mining sector.
The contract reinforces GBRf’s presence in the South West and its ongoing efforts to expand rail freight operations in the region.
Carl Kent, Sales Director at GB Railfreight, said: “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Imerys, supporting the movement of critical local volumes and reinforcing our ambition to grow rail freight in the South West. We look forward to delivering our market-leading service to Imerys for at least the next two years.”
In addition to transporting china clay, GBRf provides seasonal treatment services across the region to support network reliability for both passenger and freight operations. This includes services linked to Belmond’s Britannic Explorer, with an increased number of treatment trains expected to operate from 2026 onwards.
The company said it sees further opportunities for growth in emerging freight markets across the South West as it continues to expand its operations.
Image credit: GB Railfreight / Jon Hird
