Bodo Möller Chemie: Adhesive bonding certification opens the way for further expansion in the global railway sector

With the advent of new materials and manufacturing processes, adhesive bonding has become a key technology in manufacturing – and rail vehicle manufacturing is no exception. With DIN 6701-2 certification of its Polish adhesive applications laboratory, Bodo Möller Chemie Group has set its course towards further expansion in the global railway sector. According to Maciej Nawrot, Managing Director of Bodo Möller Chemie Poland, DIN 6701-2 lays down and guarantees the quality standard for using adhesive bonding technology in the rail vehicle manufacturing industry: „This certification underscores the high demands that we place on the quality of our bonding products. It now enables us to fully exploit the potential for growth in the lucrative railway market.”

Applications laboratory is focusing on transportation and mobility
The railway industry is profiting from globalisation and is growing worldwide, which, according to the European branch association UNIFE, is currently at barely 3 per cent on average. Consequently, the international railway sector is very important to the specialty chemicals company, says Nawrot. Since the beginning of 2014, Bodo Möller Chemie has therefore been operating a bonding applications laboratory in the Science and Technology Park at Poznan in Poland. The work of the local bonding experts centres on performing numerous bonding tests for branches such as transportation and mobility: modern adhesive bonding systems and compounds are tested for properties such as tensile shearing strength, peel strength, UV-resistance, conductivity and resistance to corrosion and other environmental impacts, in accordance with the applicable railway and automotive industry standards.

Certification guarantees the quality of adhesive bonding work
As demonstrated by the new ICx high-speed trains and the new generation of Deutsche Bahn regional trains, lightweight engineering is becoming more and more important in the construction of rolling stock. With increasing pressure to develop efficient models, adhesive and bonding technology is now a key aspect of rail vehicle manufacturing. Given the extremely high safety requirements, DIN 6701-2 has been the established standard since the beginning of 2010. Companies require a specific approval to be able to perform or commission adhesive bonding work in rail vehicle manufacturing or to be able to trade in adhesive products or offer design or construction services. All international subsidiaries of Bodo Möller Chemie Group benefit from the state-of-the-art testing and laboratory facility in the „Science and Technology Park Poznań”: „The new laboratory, which is also ISO 9001:2008 certified, puts Bodo Möller Chemie in a position to be able to adapt its complete range of products more specifically to the needs of international customers,” adds Frank Haug, Board Chairman of Bodo Möller Chemie Group.

With more than 40 years of experience in distribution of specialty chemicals and adhesives the Bodo Möller Chemie Group (www.bm-chemie.de, www.bm-chemie.com) is the leading trading partner for well-known European companies like DOW Automotive Systems, HB Fuller, BASF and Huntsman Advanced Materials. The product portfolio of the company includes powerful adhesives and adhesive systems, additives for plastics, coatings, rubber products, textiles, lubricants and other specialty chemicals. Through targeted consulting and locally specific consumer service the Bodo Möller Chemie Group offers their customer for every individual requirement the suitable product and solution.