Materials for
folding & corrugated bellows
in gangway systems
for rail vehicles

Elastomer-coated fabrics provide the functional basis for folding and corrugated bellows. With more than 50 years of experience in developing the key materials for these applications, the HÜBNER Group brings together extensive expertise in rubber technology, textiles and coating processes.

Material expertise & development know-how

HÜBNER develops a wide range of prototypes In the company’s in-house technical center. These undergo extensive testing in the HÜBNER materials laboratory and then are scaled up for series production – always with the clear objective of delivering durable, safe and sustainable materials for global use in rail and road transport.

Fabric materials are individually developed and selected depending on the particular vehicle type, operating conditions, and technical specifications.

Whether customers prefer more economical single corrugated bellows with a lightweight construction or double-corrugated bellows with enhanced sound insulation, each bellows material solution is tailored exactly to specific customer needs. All of the materials used in HÜBNER bellows are distinguished by their high quality, excellent physical properties, and compliance with international standards.

Material portfolio & areas of application

Depending on the application – such as high-speed trains, metro systems or trams – different material variants are available, including halogen-free options. These materials meet specific requirements in terms of various key factors:

Environmental conditions

UV exposure, moisture, abrasion from sand, snow and ice

Movement profile

Relative movements such as curving requirements, transverse offsetting, etc. are taken into account

Temperature resistance

From -30 °C to +80 °C. For special operating conditions, we test and develop material-specific solutions for temperature ranges from -40 °C to +100 °C

Acoustic performance

In accordance with DIN EN ISO 15186-1 (for sample assemblies) and DIN EN 16286-2 (for gangways)

Design and appearance

Smooth surfaces, various colors, leather-like or textured finishes, and printed fabrics if required

Safety

High flame resistance as well as excellent tear and abrasion resistance

Fire protection & safety standards

All materials comply with international fire safety requirements for rail vehicles, including:

EN 45545-2, R1/R7 – HL1, HL2, HL3
NFPA 130 (USA)
BS 6853 (British Standard)

An innovative and sustainable gangway fabric: HÜBNER EcoTex

HÜBNER is working continuously to advance the development of sustainable material solutions. The company is setting new standards in the development of materials for folding and corrugated bellows through the use of innovative elastomer-coated textiles based on recycled polyamide yarns – for example from discarded fishing nets – as well as the use of alternative cellulose-based raw materials such as viscose.

The newly developed fabric HÜBNER EcoTex enables a reduction in CO₂ emissions during material production of up to 45% – with no use of solvents in the production process.

CO₂ footprint comparison

Sample calculation

Material type	CO₂ footprint per product unit
Standard fabric	32,013 g CO₂e
Recycled polyamie fabric	16,850 g CO₂e

These sustainable materials have been designed as fully equivalent replacements for conventional fabrics and fulfill the same technical and functional requirements. Combining environmental responsibility with high performance, they offer OEMs and transit operators a sustainable, future-proof alternative for use in rail applications.