German start-up FlixMobility is a mobility provider, offering travel service FlixBus and more recently FlixTrains, which operates its own distinctive lime-green branded trains. FlixTrains are powered 100% by green electricity from Greenpeace energy. They are therefore one of the most sustainable means of transport and aim to keep the cost of travel low, meaning that exploring some of Germany’s biggest cities is now cheaper and more accessible than before.

As FlixTrain continues to expand they have added to their fleet of refurbished vehicles. Forbo Flooring Systems has played a key part in the FlixTrain refurbishment project of 135 cars, providing floor covering solutions for saloons and vestibules areas. The refurbishment project will take place between March 2020 – May 2021.  

There can be few environments more challenging for floor coverings than inside busy saloon carriages and vestibules, where a hard wearing yet attractive textile floor covering is required, thatalso works well with the interior design scheme.  It was highlighted by FlixTrain that it was important for the floor coverings to be hardwearing and able to withstand heavy foot traffic, wheelchairs, wheeled luggage and standardised cleaning methods.

Two products were specified for the refurbishment project to meet FlixTrain’s requirements, the first being Coral Classic FR (1200 m²) to be used in the vestibules. Coral Classic FR is the ultimate moisture absorbing entrance system meeting the European fire regulation EN45545-2 (HL2), preventing unnecessary dirt and moisture entering the saloon from passengers’ feet and luggage at point of entry.

Coral Classic FR provides an effective entrance system to help reduce premature wear and tear to interior floor coverings, minimising cleaning and maintenance costs and protects passengers by reducing slip hazards.  Coral Classic FR is available in a range of colourways, but Raven Black was selected to fit the interior design scheme and help hide dirt and soiling.

Flotex FR Metro Anthracite (8.000m²) was also specified to be used in the saloons. This unique flocked floor covering combines the cleaning properties and durability of a resilient flooring with the comfort, slip resistant and acoustic properties normally associated with textile flooring, while also meeting EN45545-2: HL2 standards.

Flotex FR offered several unique advantages which were of important to FlixTrain. Excellent acoustic properties up to 22dB along with Flotex FR’s impervious backing making it suitable for wet cleaning when required.

Thomas Vetter, Procurement Manager for FlixTrain commented ‘’they hadn’t worked with Forbo before this project but were happy with the finished refurbishment and were very pleased with the great service Forbo were able to offer’’.

To find out more about the full range of Forbo’s flooring solutions available to the rail industry please visit www.forbo-flooring.com/transport. Alternatively, if you wish for a Forbo Flooring Key Account Manager to contact you or to send in an enquiry then please email your details to the following address; transport@forbo.com.

Further product information can be found in the videos below:

For more information please contact;

IKAM Marketing Team
Forbo Flooring Systems UK Ltd
High Holborn Road
Ripley
Derbyshire
DE5 3NT
UK

email: transport@forbo.com
Tel: +44 (0)1773 744121