Green Buffers gewinnt Swedish Steel Prize 2023
Swedish company Green Buffers is the winner of the international Swedish Steel Prize 2023. The award is given for the advanced use of energy-absorbing high-strength steel to make trains safer for passengers and more economical for operators.
“The Green Buffers system uses high-strength steel profiles to dissipate energy in a controlled manner when trains collide,” explains Eva Petursson, Chair of the Swedish Steel Prize Jury and Head of Research and Innovation at SSAB. „New generation coupling technology enables sophisticated custom design solutions that save lives and reduce costs.“
New generation towing coupling technology
Existing train crash management systems are primitive. The safety standards are based on technology from the 1960s or 1970s and even minor accidents result in derailments. This is where Roger Danielsson and his colleagues at Green Buffers saw room for improvement. Inspired by the automotive industry, they have developed an energy dissipation system based on high-strength steel that makes train travel safer for passengers and more economical for operators.
The system consists of twelve deformable units that are installed in the coupling interfaces of the entire train unit. In the event of a collision, the Strenx® 700 MC steel profiles in the units fold like an accordion, absorbing the impact in less than a second. By averting the initial peak force and minimizing all subsequent peak forces, the energy from a collision is distributed in a controlled manner.
“Unlike cars, virtually all train collisions are head-on. This gives our system enormous importance,” says Roger Danielsson. In order to further improve the system in the future, the energy absorbing units can be equipped with sensors that provide even more data on the energy intake.
With the innovative system and an ambitious goal – no uncontrolled derailments due to train accidents – Green Buffers has the potential to set completely new standards in train safety.
The other nominees
The other nominated companies – DigJim from Norway, Gestamp from Spain, Levistor from Great Britain and ZOOZ from Israel (joint nomination) – were also honored at the awards ceremony on May 11th in Stockholm.
Recognition for steel innovations
The Swedish Steel Prize recognizes outstanding designs, collaborations and innovations in the steel industry that contribute to a better and more sustainable world. The winner receives a diploma, a statue by sculptor Jörg Jeschke and extensive media coverage. In connection with the Swedish Steel Prize 2023, SSAB is donating an amount of SEK 100,000 to UNICEF to support the organization’s efforts to provide good education and learning opportunities for children and adults around the world.
Additional Information:
Eva Peturson
Chair of the Jury, Swedish Steel Prize
Email: eva.petursson@ssab.com
Anna Rutkvist
Project leader, Swedish Steel Prize
Email: anna.rutkvist@ssab.com
SSAB is a Northern Europe and US based steel company. SSAB offers value-added products and services developed in close cooperation with its customers – to make the world stronger, lighter and more sustainable. SSAB employs people in over 50 countries. SSAB has production facilities in Sweden, Finland and the USA. SSAB is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and second listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. www.ssab.com .
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