Cork supplied by Corticeira Amorim is used on the floor of the MONOCABs, a project that aims to offer a second life to existing railway lines in Germany’s rural areas. Cork endows lightness, comfort and thermal, acoustic and anti-vibration insulation to the vehicle. At the same time, the genuinely Portuguese raw material helps reduce the environmental footprint of this new means of transport. It is supplied by Amorim Cork Composites - Corticeira Amorim’s composite cork business unit which develops products, solutions and applications for some of the world’s most sophisticated activities, such as the aerospace, automotive, construction, sports, energy or design industries.
The MONOCABs, a compact and autonomous monorail vehicle, is yet another example of the ongoing revolution in the mobility sector. It is a further example of the role that cork will play in this paradigm shift, offering a countless range of sustainability attributes to means of transport. It also fosters well-being and natural beauty and promotes indoor air quality.
The MONOCAB-OWL has been created by the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Fraunhofer IOSB-INA and Landeseisenbahn Lippe (e.V.). Its narrow cabin structure permits simultaneous circulation in both directions on the same rail, and thereby aims to significantly increase mobility in rural areas. The revival of these railway lines could lead to greater regional development: reducing asymmetries, providing a better quality of life, and promoting a greener, more ecological and sustainable Planet.
During the presentation of the first prototype, Oliver Krischer, Minister for the Environment, Nature, Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhire-Westphalia, stated that the «MONOCABs, with its innovative concept and sustainably designed cabin, is a classic example for a mobility policy in which the environment and transport are not seen as opposites, but as driving forces for greater sustainability and quality of life.»*
Corticeira Amorim’s chairman and CEO, António Rios Amorim, emphasised “the company's commitment to actively contribute to the decarbonisation of the most diverse core activities for human development. Mobility is naturally one of these basic areas. We want, can and will help the world to attain more sustainable ways of life.»
*(Source: https://www.monocab-owl.de/en/monocabs-fahren-jetzt-auf-stillgelegter-extertal-strecke/)
Photos credits: We HoW Sky - Peter Wehowsky
Renderings credits: TH OWL 2021 Design Team Monocab: Prof. Ulrich Nether, Prof. Hans Sachs, Carolina Meirelles, Maximilian Müh
