Why the Drive Towards Sustainable Rail Is About Much More Than Power

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Rail is set to play a key role in the sustainable future of transportation, alongside innovative solutions for road and air.

Rail’s position in sustainable transportation is unique. A February 2022 Boston Consulting Group report highlights that “no form of mass transport has more potential to aid in the fight against global warming than rail. It is one of the most energy-efficient transport modes, responsible for 9% of global motorized passenger movement and 7% of freight shipping—but only 3% of transport energy use”.

In considering how rail will deliver on its potential, the focus is naturally on carbon neutral power, and how investments in electrification and alternative sources are putting rail front and center in sustainable travel.

However, while this is a key component in making rail future-ready, today’s drive to rail sustainability encompasses the whole value chain, from rolling stock and infrastructure design, through manufacturing, to all aspects of operation, including customer experience.

This blog looks at how elements of this value chain contribute to this bigger picture, highlighting printed electronic materials as a specific example of how innovation is contributing to rail sustainability in ways you might not expect.

It highlights how Henkel’s pedigree, expertise and record of partnership in materials technology, including printed electronic materials, puts it at the forefront of sustainable rail innovation.

Taking a Holistic View of Sustainable Rail

Innovation in every element of the value chain, from infrastructure to rolling stock to customer experience, is driving rail sustainability.

A June 2022 Railtech.com article highlights sustainability innovations in rail infrastructure, such as the use of a V-shaped open cutting with grass slopes instead of concrete retaining walls for an elevated section of the UK HS2 rail project, by main contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci.

In the area of rolling stock, SNCF is just one example of a major rail company that has recognized the importance of developing lighter, stronger, more recyclable materials which can be assembled into more energy-efficient units, using production methods that minimize resource use and maximize efficiency to optimize their environmental footprint.

Delivering an excellent passenger experience is vital for rail to deliver its full environmental potential. The greater the number of people who choose rail for some journeys, the greater its contribution to sustainability.

New, stronger and lighter materials are enabling creation of more passenger space and lighter, airier cabins, all whilst maintaining the highest possible safety levels.

Internet of Things (IoT) technology delivers smart cabins that adjust light and heat according to conditions, saving power and creating a more comfortable passenger experience.

Henkel contributes to innovation in rail sustainability with a portfolio of adhesives, proven across rail, aerospace and automotive, that offer best of breed solutions for structural strength, flexible bonding, sealing and sound insulation.

Combining lightweight materials with Henkel structural adhesives delivers the construction solutions that a holistic approach to sustainable rail demands.

How Printed Electronic Materials Are Playing a Part

The ability to print electronic circuits onto a range of substrates is just one example of how innovation in a surprising range of areas is contributing to sustainable rail, and how Henkel’s capabilities add value.

Printed electronic materials enable circuitry to be built into the fabric of rolling-stock with minimal cost and environmental impact, opening up the potential for IoT, passenger connectivity, ‘smart’ cabins and a huge range of other applications, improving efficiency and passenger experience across a wide spectrum.

How Henkel Adds Value

Henkel’s market-leading pedigree in materials and bonding technologies, unparalleled track record of innovation and collaboration in rail and related industries, and commitment to sustainability, makes them a key player in delivering the future of rail transport.

For lightweight rolling stock, Henkel has developed lightweight NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) solutions to reduce vehicle mass.

Henkel has long been at the forefront for structural bonding adhesive solutions, primarily designed to replace welds, rivets, and other mechanical fasteners, and increasingly used to allow integration of lightweight composites to reduce energy usage, through lower vehicle mass.

Henkel’s sustainable solutions contain non-hazardous materials to make them safer and more environmentally-friendly in use.

While some customers may not even be aware of Henkel’s position as an industry leader in printed electronics, it has massive potential to help deliver sustainable rail solutions by:

  • Creating multiple electrical functions with polymer-based printing inks onto non-conductive substrates
  • Enabling printing of electrical functions like membrane switches, keyboards, sensors, antennae, potentiometers and others by using simple printing processes
  • Replacing copper wires and connections with respectively printed electronics and electrically conductive adhesives where possible

Henkel offers a range of electronics printing solutions:

  • Silver inks - resistive inks (carbon / non-conductive blends)
  • PTC inks - positive temperature control inks; i.e., wall, floor and / or seat-heating applications
  • Dielectric inks (protective layers)
  • Thermal interface materials to deliver better and more reliable solutions

What Next?

Continue the conversation on how Henkel is contributing to the sustainable future of rail travel.

About the Author

Dimitri Clément

Global Key Account Manager Rail

 

Dimitri is an experienced European Adhesive Engineer with a demonstrated history in train manufacturing and railway applications, general and agricultural construction machinery industries.

With more than 25 years of experience as a mechanical engineer, Dimitri is a certified expert in the application of industrial adhesives by obtaining the EAE-certificate (European Adhesive Engineer) according to DIN 6701. With his expertise, Dimitri helps rail customers to develop innovative processes that simplify and save process time compared to traditional mechanical methods.

Working within the Henkel business for over 22 years, Dimitri has had the opportunity to work with key rail manufacturing and industrial clients to provide engineered adhesive and coating solutions using the Henkel brands (LOCTITE®, BONDERITE®, TEROSON®) to reduce cost, drive efficiency in processes, increase safety and reliability.

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