The UK’s most comfortable rail seat system ever tested – the new, British-made, 100% recyclable EcoSeat™ – has been unveiled at a demonstration launch event at the University of Huddersfield’s train simulator, with rail industry experts in attendance.
The new commuter rail seat has been designed and developed by Beeston-based spring manufacturer and components supplier to the mattress and furniture industry, Spinks, and its commercial project partner, rail seat manufacturer Quantum Seating.
The revolutionary seating system has been independently tested and found to exceed traditional rail seat comfort standards (RSSB GMGN2696), setting new standards in comfort, recyclability, durability and flammability*.
Unveiled within the university’s Train Hi-Fidelity Motion Simulator (THOMoS) which creates a realistic passenger experience, industry professionals experienced first-hand the innovative rail seat system, that provides superior comfort without polyurethane foam – which cannot be easily recycled.
This innovative, built-to-last technology is cost-saving and sustainable, meeting rail safety standards without the need for flame retardant chemicals or fire barriers – a huge step for the industry – and offering a longer life span than polyurethane and graphite foam seating.
After securing a £250,000 research contract in December 2023 from the Department for Transport and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, via the ‘First of a Kind’ research programme, Leeds-based Spinks has been working to bring its revolutionary technology to UK rail seating.
The UK-first seat has been created using 100% British-made components, including Spinks’ patented glue-free pocket springs, more typically seen in the luxury mattresses produced by its sister company, Harrison Spinks.
Darren Marcangelo, Managing Director at Spinks, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to have unveiled the new EcoSeat™, the most comfortable rail seat ever tested.
“This marks a significant step forward in the future of rail travel, not just in comfort but in environmental responsibility in terms of both the recyclable materials used and the longevity and durability of this seating.
“By eliminating the use of polyurethane foam and relying on our unique patented glue-free pocket spring systems, we are introducing a solution that meets the highest safety standards while being 100% recyclable, exceeding all current levels of comfort.
“At Spinks we are committed to pushing the boundaries of British-made technology, and after securing the funding from the Department for Transport to be a part of this ground-breaking project, we are excited about the positive impact this will have on the rail industry in the UK – and potentially around the world.”
Angel Trains, which operates over 4,000 trains and represents more than one-third of the UK’s passenger rolling stock, is also a collaborator on the project, which hopes to provide comfortable, safer, more sustainable and longer lasting rail seating to improve rail travel in the UK.
For more information on Spinks please visit www.spinks.co.uk
*The EcoSeat™ system has received the highest rating for comfort in the comfort assessment using the RSSB GMGN2696 – scoring was recorded independently by FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association). The seat scored 43.5 points out of 62.5 when adapting the marking system to this new spring method and seat specification – in comparison to the base foam seat which scored 24.5.
Flammability performance as verified to EN45545 (as tested by Warrington Fire) demonstrated that HL3 performance was achieved in each category of Smoke, Toxicity 1, Toxicity 2 and Heat Release.
The EcoSeat™ system offers at least seven years of rail usage through long-term testing by FIRA on its “Squirming Irma” rig to 235,000 cycles to represent seven years of rail usage.
This post is based on a press release issued on behalf of Spinks
Photo: Spinks representatives testing out the EcoSeat™ (L-R) Darren Marcangelo, Managing Director at Spinks; John Pick, Project Manager Seating at Spinks
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