In September, we attended InnoTrans, the world’s biggest Rail exhibition hosted in Berlin. The expo provided the perfect platform for us to highlight our commitment to innovation and sustainability within the mass-transport industry.
There were two big highlights for us at the show…
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The launch of the Expliseat SITaeris seat, designed in collaboration with Yellow Window and Gen Phoenix.
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The partnership with industry leading designers ‘Yellow Window’ and ‘neomind’, allowing us to showcase stunning new printed designs on our recycled materials.
These two fantastic collaborations demonstrated the limitless potential of ELeather as the most sustainable, lowest carbon material that doesn’t compromise on performance or aesthetics.
Gen Phoenix and Expliseat: Redefining Sustainable Luxury with SITaeris
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Expliseat, Gen Phoenix, and Yellow Window unveiled SITaeris at InnoTrans 2024 – a rail seat that sets new standards for sustainability, comfort, and design in the rail industry. Through this partnership, Expliseat were able to create a beautiful rail seat that not only offers premium comfort but also significantly reduces its environmental impact, as the material offers an 80%+ carbon reduction compared to traditional leather.
Gen Phoenix played a key role in the development of the new rail seat, by providing the innovative upholstery material that combines sustainability with high-end design.
“We wanted to help develop a unique product that was very different from the industry standard,” said Nico den Ouden, Chief Technology Officer at Gen Pheonix.
Drawing on our experience with automotive partners, Gen Phoenix were able to introduce features such as perforated seat covers, which is quite a rarity in the rail industry, adding aesthetic and functional value.
The integration of antimicrobial technology into the upholstery is another highlight of the collaboration. Introduced in response to growing concerns about hygiene, this feature provides passengers with additional peace of mind, particularly in public transport. “Consumers are increasingly aware of these issues and want their operators to provide solutions,” explained Nico. This innovation, already successful in aviation, is now being introduced to the rail sector through SITaeris.
SITaeris represents a new benchmark for sustainable rail seating, combining ultralight materials, advanced design, and environmental responsibility. By harnessing cutting-edge sustainable materials and innovative design, Expliseat, alongside Gen Phoenix and Yellow Window, have not only created a seat that meets the highest standards of comfort and aesthetics but one that leads the way toward a more sustainable, efficient future for rail travel.
Unlocking limitless design possibilities through digital print
Gen Phoenix empowers railway interior designers with our recycled leather that unlocks new design possibilities for the cabin experience. Our materials are perfectly matched for secondary processing and enhanced designs including embossing, perforation and semi-perforation, digital print, embroidery and we can offer a wide variety of finishes to achieve different aesthetics, touch and feel.
Standout design is something that has been more synonymous with fabrics within the public transport space, however, fabrics often require labour intensive cleaning schedules with high costs to maintain a clean, hygienic and premium looking interior.
With ELeather, rail operators can have the best of both worlds with industry-leading hygienic, high-performance, and sustainable material, with stylish designs that looks like new for up to 7 years in service. In addition, operators can save over the total cost of ownership of our material versus fabrics due to the minimal maintenance and inherent durability.
Don’t compromise – raise the bar in railway seating aesthetics and functionality with materials that don’t cost the earth.
The event allowed us to connect with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and explore advancements in sustainable materials – sparking interest and excitement about the future of train design.
If you missed it, please reach out for a chat, meeting or further information on our capabilities in rail – Contact us today