Leading Rail Innovation with Cork-Rubber Composites
In the evolving landscape of rail infrastructure, the demand for sustainable, high-performance materials is paramount. Amorim Cork Solutions stands at the forefront, offering cork-rubber composites that address these needs effectively.
High-Performance Vibration Control Solutions for Track Infrastructure
Amorim Cork Solutions develops and supplies a complete range of engineered materials for track infrastructure, including Under Ballast Mats (UBMs), Floating Slab Mats (FSMs), rail pads, and baseplate pads. These components play a critical role in reducing vibration, mitigating noise, and enhancing the longevity of rail systems.
Cork-rubber composites, with their unique combination of elasticity, damping capacity, and long-term mechanical stability, are ideally suited for these applications. From heavy rail to urban transit systems, these solutions help protect surrounding structures, reduce maintenance needs, and ensure more comfortable and sustainable operations for rail networks worldwide.
A Decade-Long Partnership with Alom
Since 2008, Amorim Cork Solutions has collaborated with Alom, a Dutch company specializing in rail fastening systems. Mark Rijen, Chief Technical Officer & Chief Operating Officer at Alom, reflects on this longstanding partnership, highlighting how the collaboration has led to the successful development and implementation of a complete product line for both heavy and light rail networks within the Netherlands. The partnership has since evolved with a shared goal of expanding into international markets.
By combining the knowledge of both Amorim and Alom we’ve achieved a reliable partnership to operate as both engineer and supplier of complete rail fastening systems that can meet all requirements for any rail authority.Mark Rijen, Chief Technical Officer & Chief Operating Officer at Alom said:
Amorim’s Scalable, Flexible Approach to Partnership
From the commercial perspective, this relationship is deeply rooted in mutual trust, adaptability, and a common drive for innovation. As Micael Morais, Sales Manager at Amorim Cork Solutions, explains, the partnership has grown through close collaboration and the development of tailor-made solutions that meet Alom’s technical demands while leveraging Amorim’s extensive experience in cork composites. The company’s ability to scale production, combined with flexible manufacturing and deep technical knowledge, has helped establish Amorim as a dependable and forward-thinking partner in a competitive market.
Amorim’s capacity for large-scale production, combined with manufacturing flexibility and deep material knowledge, positions Amorim as a reliable and value-adding partner in an increasingly demanding and competitive market. Sustainability is also a key pillar of our approach — our cork-based technologies offer not only technical excellence but also contribute to the reduction of environmental impact across the product lifecycle.Micael Morais, Sales Manager at Amorim Cork Solutions said:
Technical Support and Co-Development
In addition to commercial collaboration, Amorim places strong emphasis on technical partnership, recognizing the value of these relationships in sharing knowledge and improving understanding of real-world applications. As Margarida Oliveira, Global Technical Manager at Amorim Cork Solutions, highlights, this close cooperation ensures that customers benefit not only from advanced materials but also from expert guidance throughout every stage of their projects.
With our long experience in cork and its integration into materials specifically developed for railway applications, our customers can rely on us for all the technical support that they need. We are committed to providing all the detailed documentation and guidance that reinforce the performance and advantages of our materials, along with consistent support throughout their daily engineering and operational activities. Margarida Oliveira, Global Technical Manager at Amorim Cork Solutions said:
This collaborative and technically grounded approach strengthens the reliability of Amorim’s solutions and contributes to long-term customer confidence in their performance and sustainability.
Beyond Fastening Systems: Cork in Rail Interiors
Amorim Cork Solutions’ expertise extends far beyond track-level applications. Their high-performance cork composite materials are used throughout rail vehicles to enhance side walls and ceilings, doors and internal partitions, flooring and trims and interior accessories.
These solutions provide excellent impact resistance, superior acoustic and thermal insulation, and lightweight performance—all of which contribute directly to increased passenger comfort, safety, and energy efficiency.
Related article: Noise and Vibration Reduction on Amsterdam’s Metro Line 52
This article was originally published by Amorim Cork Solutions.
