So that rail travel is always a climate-friendly alternative.
In every respect.

You arrived at the track right before the train was about to leave and were completely out of breath from lugging your suitcases? Many have had this experience. Those who choose to travel by train as a climate-friendly alternative to driving or taking the bus forego a great deal of comfort, because they have to get to the train first. So it is all the more important that the train journey runs smoothly. Solutions from ALTANA’s ELANTAS, ECKART, and BYK divisions make an important contribution to ensuring that everyone reaches their destination free of trouble. As passengers, we can sit back and relax and enjoy the pleasurable aspects of rail travel.

Neither generators nor people get hot
For example, experts from ALTANA’s ELANTAS division develop impregnating resins and other innovative insulating materials which are used to safely insulate and impregnate wires and wire windings of motors and generators. As a result, the electrical machinery of railcars is protected from external influences such as heat, oil, and salt. This is critical if a train is to have a long life and also caters to passenger relaxation, because the motors are used for several decades and must continually withstand the most adverse conditions.

But ELANTAS products not only protect machines from overheating, they also protect passengers. What is more pleasant than enjoying an ice cream outdoors in the heat of summer? On the train, however, summer can stress passengers and test their nerves when the air conditioning isn’t working properly or breaks down. Here, too, ELANTAS products contribute to a burden-free train ride. Innovative resins, paints, and composite materials can significantly increase the service life, safety, and quality of electrical and electronic devices such as air conditioning systems. Consequently, neither generators nor people get hot.

Repelling extreme weather
However, protection against wear and tear is not only crucial for the inner workings of trains. While passengers are enjoying a cup of coffee or tea and letting their minds wander or concentrating on their laptops, the locomotive, railcars, and carriages are exposed to the elements, including high winds, and – depending on the location and time of year – extreme temperatures. But the outer walls keep all of this at bay thanks to innovative high-performance coatings containing solutions from ALTANA.

ECKART products specially developed for this purpose prevent corrosion damage to metallic components. So the train is protected against external influences for its entire service life. BYK has further solutions for this. Among other things, the division’s additives ensure that the train’s paint not only protects the train, but also looks good. The addition of BYK additives improves the flow, gloss, and color of the protective coating. After all, the three or four coating layers used are together only as thick as a human hair.

Other BYK additives offer protection “along the way.” Smooth rail traffic depends not only on high-performance trains, but also on a safe and functioning railway network. BYK additives equip paints for rail superstructure and railroad bridges with a protective shield. So rather than corrosion damage, it’s “full steam ahead” – not only on long-distance rail journeys, but also on urban and regional trains. This is a boon for people, machines and, not least, the climate.