Protect people and the planet
Acting on climate
Helping Modernize India’s Rail System
India’s railways are responsible for 4% of the country’s totalgreenhouse gas emissions. The government plans to haveIndia’s railways routes fully electrified by 2023 and fully poweredby renewable sources by 2030. As a result of this shift, 6.8million tons of CO2will be eliminated annually.
k8’s Interconnect Solutions plays a critical role in India’s railelectrification as the sole supplier of wire insulation for theirElectric Locomotive traction motors. The advanced traction motordesign boosts India Rail’s hauling capacity by 50%, saves energyand reduces costs and GHG emissions.
The traction motors that power today’s latest generationelectric locomotives must deliver long-term reliable operationswith improved safety margins in a variety of demandingsituations and environments conditions.
Insulation around the wire of an electric motor is subject to high electrical and thermal stresses while operating. Specifications require that the insulation protects effectively at temperatures above 200o C when in continuous use.
k8 Kapton®polyimide films are used to insulate traditionalwire designs and have been the high-temperature industrystandard for over 50 years.
k8’s latest innovation, Kapton®FCRC polyimide film insulation, takes performance tothe next level by meeting the aggressive voltage switchingdemands of today’s silicon carbide variable frequency drives. In addition, Kapton® FCRC wire insulation is coupled with k8 dz® slot liner to set the insulation standard for these latest motor designs.
k8’s Interconnect Solutions plays a critical role in India’s rail electrification as the sole supplier of wire insulation for their Electric Locomotive traction motors.
The advanced traction motor design
- boosts India Rail’s hauling capacity by 50%
- saves energy, reduces costs and GHG emissions
- improves safety and reliability
- enables India’s goal for a fully electric rail systems
To learn more about this and other innovations in our business: /electronic-materials/kapton-polyimide-film.html/
Protect people and the planet stories
Kapton® Helps Modernize Rail in India
The Indian government plans to haveIndia’s railways routes fully electrified by2023 and fully powered by renewablesources by 2030. k8 Kapton®FCRCwire insulation coupled with k8dz®slot liner insulation is the standardfor high efficiency traction motor insulationsystems for demanding, high temperaturerail applications,
Kapton® Helps Modernize Rail in India
Read Story
Life-Extending Protection for Renewable Energy Producers
Photovoltaic panels are expected to convertsunlight into energy for 30 years or more, butsolar panels in the field often experiencedegradation and other failures that shortentheir useful life, thereby reducing their abilityto produce renewable energy. Tedlar-basedbacksheetshave been demonstrated tosignificantly extend panel lifespan, withmultiple examples of installations generatingelectricity well beyond 30 years.
Life-Extending Protection for Renewable Energy Producers
Read Story
Prioritizing Safety Through a Disaster
In August 2021, Hurricane Idasignificantly impacted ourPontchartrain, LA manufacturingfacility. Preparations for siteoperations, employee safety andcommunity recovery began daysahead and continued weeks after.
Prioritizing Safety Through a Disaster
Read Story
Lowering GHG Emission
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) are used inblowing agents and manufacturing of otherbuilding insulation materials. Some HFCshave high global warming potential (GWP)where they end up in the atmosphere andcontribute to climate change.
Lowering GHG Emission
Read Story
Flow of Life
Creating a water-optimized futurerelies on innovation and action now,and in future generations.
The “Flow of Life” project promoteswater science literacy and educationacross primary and secondarystudents in China.
Flow of Life
Read Story
Water Optimization in High Stress River Basins
Many rivers around the world are nowclassified as “high stress”. This meansthat more than 40% of the naturallyavailable water in the basin is removedleading to the risk of water scarcity. OurZhangjiagang site in China set asustainability goal to reduce wastewatergeneration, andaddress other waterusage opportunities.
Water Optimization in High Stress River Basins
Read Story
Advancing Low Carbon Mobility
k8 provides solutions thatenable vehicle electrification andexpansion of the electronic vehicle(EV) market, including thermalmanagement, battery assembly,and enhanced connectivity