Aura’s sustainability-focused work within rail
In recent years more companies have seen a shift toward making sustainability a focal issue. Being more environmentally conscious is now a huge talking point and a major reason why a lot of businesses, particularly in rail, are expanding their eco-friendly options.
Sustainability in the workplace is not just imperative for business but also to our planet’s survival, leading to many organisations moving to significantly reduce their carbon footprint through innovative solutions.
At Aura Brand Solutions we are committed to a continued investment in sustainability, and have been working closely with multiple rail companies in an effort to transform rail into a more environmentally conscious industry.
Our 25+ years of rail industry experience and multiple long-standing partnerships with rail companies, has given us a great opportunity to work with the likes of companies such as Transport For Greater Manchester, Transport For Wales, 3M, Porterbrook and Govia Thameslink.
These collaborative working partnerships have generated some promising projects that all had a sustainability-focused edge.
Putting sustainability into practice
In the past few years, we have worked on a range of major projects that have allowed us to use sustainable products and methods. Some of these jobs have included:
Transport for Wales – Assisting KeolisAmey and Transport for Wales in the launch of their new franchise. In an effort to make the project as green as possible, we suggested using 3M’s non-PVC 480Mc film and KeolisAmey agreed. This made them the first rail operator to use this sustainability-focused self-adhesive graphic film.
Avanti West Coast – Providing and installing exterior livery branding on the Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolino Fleet, using 3M Envision non-PVC vinyl film. One of the leading factors behind their decision to work with Aura was our non-PVC films, as sustainability was one of their key motivating factors.
Eurotunnel - Through our ongoing working partnership of 20+ years with EuroTunnel, we were recently able to provide them with a 25th Anniversary large-scale wrap. Installed across large corrugated double deck loaders, the entire project was wrapped with over 250m2 of 3M Envision 480mC.
Porterbrook – Collaborating with 3M to work on interior and exterior branding for the Innovation Hub and HydroFlex train, as part of RailLive 2019. Using a variety of innovative, sustainable 3M products including highly conformable anti-graffiti laminate and non-PVC 3M Envision Print Wrap Film LX480mC.
The future of environmentally friendly films
A big part of our move toward increased sustainability in the rail projects we have worked on is the range of premium products that 3M have supplied us with.
Through our ongoing phenomenal working partnership with 3M, we’ve regularly used the 480/48 series films. Particularly using the 3M Envision Print Wrap Film 480 on several projects, and continue to gain great feedback from clients.
480 is a high-quality, non-PVC, environmentally friendly alternative for printing large format graphics. Its impressive qualities include:
- 12 years durability
- Can be used for both external and internal use
- 6 year warranty
- Can be installed in extreme temperatures
- Has a slower burn rate with less smoke giving 4.5x longer evacuation time
With the increasing importance of sustainable alternatives, Aura Brand Solutions are working to be as environmentally-friendly as possible in everything we do.
This includes branching out to new products and applying them in the fleet and architectural sectors. Working toward making brand implementation as green as possible for everyone involved.
