AXION's Distributor Alcoa Fastening System and Rings Secures 3-Year $8 Million Contract for the Supply of ECOTRAX Sleepers to KiwiRail of New Zealand

Largest Rail Transport Operator in New Zealand Purchases ECOTRAX 100% Recycled Composite Rail Ties

SOURCE AXION International Holdings, Inc.

AXION International Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:AXIH), a leader in recycled polymer technologies used to produce ECOTRAX® composite rail ties/sleepers and STRUXURE® composite building products is pleased to announce today that its distributor Alcoa Fastening System and Rings (AFSR) has secured a 3-year $8 million contract to supply various sizes of ECOTRAX® ties to KiwiRail, New Zealand's largest rail transport operator. 

The contract specifies ECOTRAX® ties for mainline track as well as specialty ties for road crossings, bridges, and turnouts through AFSR Melbourne Industrial Fasteners Operations.

AXION Global Sales Manager, Cory Burdick stated, "This is a major announcement as we have been working with KiwiRail on several projects in which they have tested and placed small purchase orders for our ECOTRAX® rail ties through our distributor AFSR. This sizeable contract demonstrates our proven competitiveness in the market and also the superiority of our 100%-recycled products as they have the ability to withstand harsh environments and, in fact, have excelled in areas where the environment tends to degrade traditional wooden ties. New Zealand is facing growing concerns for replacing wood ties as they reach the end of their useful life prematurely due to rot, erosions, and other factors. We have been able to address that successfully and economically."

AFSR Australia Sales & Marketing Manager, Ian Norrie said, "KiwiRail is demonstrating its environmental values by embracing this fully recycled (and recyclable), non-leaching 'Green' product. KiwiRail selected ECOTRAX® composite sleepers from AFSR Australia based on their proven record in both North America and Australia."

Headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand, KiwiRail is the largest rail transport operator in New Zealand. KiwiRail operates services on 3,898 kilometers track, of which around 500 kilometers are electrified. Since 2010, KiwiRail has been implementing a decade-long program of investment to ensure that the rail network can deliver the highest levels of service expected from its passenger and freight customers. The $4.6 billion turnaround plan, approved by the government, is designed to preserve and enhance New Zealand's national rail freight network and move KiwiRail to a sustainable business model that delivers value to their customers and taxpayers.

About ECOTRAX®ECOTRAX® composite rail ties are manufactured by AXION using 100%-recycled plastics. Because they are inert, ECOTRAX® rail ties will not rot or absorb moisture, and they are impervious to insect infestation. Setting the industry standard for composite rail ties, ECOTRAX® ties feature long life cycles and excel in the harshest conditions, making them a cost-effective choice in road crossings, turnouts, open-deck bridges, and freight-line track. From Australia to New York, ECOTRAX® ties are the tested, proven, and superior choice for railroads around the world. Click here to learn more about ECOTRAX® rail ties.

About AXION International Holdings, Inc.AXION (OTCQB: AXIH) creates innovative structural polymer solutions, engineering sustainable products and systems that provide improved long-term value, consistent performance, and reduced maintenance costs. Made with recycled plastics, AXION's products are non-corrosive, impervious to moisture, do not leach chemicals, are resistant to insects and rot, and are capable of sustaining heavy loads. From the transportation to the energy industries, AXION develops superior polymer solutions for infrastructure needs around the world. Visit www.AXIH.com for more information.

About Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings

Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings, a business unit of Alcoa, is a leading worldwide designer and manufacturer of fastening systems and rings, including specialty fasteners, fluid fittings, assembly components, installation systems, and seamless rings for aerospace and industrial applications. Headquartered in Torrance, California, the company has over 7,800 employees at 39 manufacturing and distribution/logistics locations in 13 countries. For more information, visit afsr.alcoa.com

Forward-Looking Statements This release contains "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's "safe harbor" provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause AXION's actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, including the availability of materials at favorable pricing, sufficient manufacturing capability and the risk factors identified in AXION's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.