SAERTEX® sets standards: finalist at the JEC AWARD 2019 for refrigerated semi-trailer innovation
SAERTEX has made it to the three finalists of this year's JEC WORLD Innovation Awards in the "Land Transportation" category. Together with its partners WABASH, NEG and STRUCTURAL COMPOSITES, SAERTEX has developed an innovative lightweight solution for a resource-saving refrigerated semi-trailer.
Conventional trailer walls are built from riveted sandwich structures consisting primarily of foam, wood inserts and aluminum. The new fiber composite solution nominated for the award was developed to improve the numerous challenges faced by the materials used in refrigerated trailers: thermal efficiency, strength, weight and durability.
SAERTEX developed a unique technical textile for this project. In addition, our SAERTEX US team in Huntersville, NC supported the customer WABASH in the material selection and design of the new composites solutions, resulting in 20% weight savings and 28% better cooling efficiency.
The new structural fiber composite components for the refrigerated semi-trailers consist of a highly efficient foam core, enclosed by an outer skin of multiaxial fabrics and a polymer matrix, as well as a protective gelcoat coating.
The 20% weight saving and the 28% better thermal performance lead to a significant reduction in the trailer's fuel consumption. The lower weight also makes it possible to increase the loading weight of the semi-trailer. This leads to a sustainable conservation of resources, as does the longer service life of the product due to the improved durability of the composite materials.
The final of the JEC INNOVATION AWARDS 2019 will take place during the JEC WORLD trade fair in Paris on March 13, 2019. The ceremony will start at 4 pm on the Agora stage of the fair.
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