Get on track to a greener and more comfortable tomorrow
Rail is among the most energy efficient modes of transport, but increased requirements have made trains heavier and more expensive to operate. With Armacell’s solutions, you can take your rail projects BEYOND BETTER by improving energy and cost efficiency without compromising passenger safety and comfort.
Achieve even more cost-effective operations. Discover how.
The right material choices can help make your trains lighter and improve energy efficiency to achieve even more cost-effective operations. How do you find the ideal solution that also allows you to ensure passenger safety and comfort? Learn how to maintain the environmental advantage of rail transportation by reading this whitepaper.
For a more sustainable and comfortable future in rail
Watch the video below to discover how Armacell goes Beyond Better to deliver best-in-class rail solutions - to enable better sustainability and durability and support superior passenger safety and comfort.
Maintaining rail’s position as the green choice
Today, rail is among the most energy efficient modes of transport. Carrying 8% of the world’s passenger and 7% of global freight transport, it represents only 2% of total transport energy demand. Governments and cities encourage the uptake of public transport as a means of decarbonising cities, reducing air pollution and improving land use management. But with increased demands, the rail industry is continuously looking for ways to enhance energy efficiency, sustainability and durability.
Lightweighting holds the key to increased sustainability and durability
Investment in rail infrastructure is expensive and extensive. But as the world transitions towards a more sustainable future, there is an opportunity for rail developers and operators to support increased rail usage. This requires innovation to enhance operational efficiency and better customer experience. Lightweighting offers the benefit of lower energy requirement and in turn reduced fuel costs and carbon emissions. Lower mass and consequently lower axle load also offers lesser track damage and potential for a “virtual spiral” of positive synergies where reduced mass results in reduced forces, reduced strength requirement and further mass reduction.
What influences the efficiency of trains
The high energy use of auxiliary systems
Auxiliary systems of trains, most prominently HVAC systems, account for up to 20% of a passenger train’s total energy consumption.
The body accounts for 25% of the weight
In a typical passenger-design railcar, the railcar body itself accounts for approximately 25% of the total weight.
How to reduce weight
Railcar weight can be reduced by around 15-20% by using multi-materials and optimisation techniques.
Innovative solutions for high rail performance
At Armacell, it is in our DNA to develop a deep understanding of all systems to determine how our solutions can offer best-in-class performance. Our innovative and sustainable solutions feature key technical advantages desired by rail operators, including lightweight materials that offer reliable performance over a longer period of time and features that support the rail industry’s directive for sustainability and green travel.
A comprehensive portfolio for all your needs
ARMAFLEX – THE PREFERRED INDUSTRY STANDARD
With an innate water barrier built up cell by cell within the lightweight and flexible ArmaFlex, any surface nick or tear of the material is limited only to the damaged area. Fibre-free, ArmaFlex® is customised to meet local requirements.
ARMACOMFORT – NOISE CONTROL WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE
Armacell's range of commercial acoustic solutions include open-cell elastomeric foam for superior sound absorption, mass-loaded noise barriers and acoustic tape to reduce noise, improve comfort and focus.
ARMAPET – PIONEERING AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Using post-consumer PET beverage bottles, ArmaPET is the world’s first structural foam core based on 100% recycled PET (rPET) plastic. ArmaPET is a high-performance, durable, and lightweight material that contributes to the circular economy.
GET ENERGY-EFFICIENT, LIGHTWEIGHT SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR RAIL PROJECT
