Edilon)(sedra, Dutch international supplier of rail track systems, insulating rail systems and noise and vibration reduction systems, in cooperation with Wageningen UR and British speciality chemicals company Croda, is working on the development of next generation polymers for elastic rail fastening systems. The goal of the project is to develop environmentally-friendly bio-based polymers which cure into an elastic rubber-like compound within a limited time.
These bio-based polymers can be applied as elastic sound and vibration-reducing materials. The project team is studying various chemical research routes. The final material should be less moisture-sensitive in processing and have a short curing time. In addition it must meet specific mechanical material requirements and adhere well to rails and concrete.
The project is part of the large-scale research programme Biobased Performance Materials (BPM). The goal of the BPM programme is to develop high-quality materials based on biomass; materials that are increasingly applied in practice. The research focuses on two types of polymer materials: polymers produced by plants and polymers from bio-based building blocks produced via biotechnology or chemical catalysis. The BPM programme is partly financed by the Top Sector Chemistry and is led by Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 