LaNDER³ now has a cargo bike that can be used for environmentally friendly transportation between the faculty and research buildings.
In addition to the overarching goal of enabling holistic material and technology development in the field of natural fiber-reinforced plastics, LaNDER³ has one goal in particular: the efficient use of existing resources and the reduction ofCO2 emissions.
According to Dr. Rafael Cavalcante Cordeiro and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Scholz, this project should not only relate to the research of the LaNDER³ partnership, but should also be implemented in everyday (working) life in the long term. The two of them travel a lot by bike, both privately and for work, and often prefer to run their errands on two wheels rather than four.
As Dr. Cordeiro regularly commutes between LaNDER³-Halle and the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU) in Zittau for research purposes, he and Professor Scholz came up with an idea that has now been implemented: the purchase of a cargo bike - a means of transport that represents a more sustainable alternative to a company car. Distances between the faculty and research buildings in Zittau are often not the shortest by car anyway. Switching to the bicycle is therefore not only more efficient in terms of time, but also more environmentally friendly. It savesCO2 emissions.
The cargo bike can easily transport up to 50 kg, such as the semi-finished products made of natural fiber reinforced plastic (NFRP) that Dr. Cordeiro is researching: First, mats made of NFRP are produced in the LaNDER³ hall and then transported to the Fraunhofer IWU in rolls. There they are pressed into a solid material, which in turn has to be transported back to the LaNDER³ hall in order to carry out tensile and compression tests.
Thanks to the electric assistance, the cargo bike is easy to ride, even with a heavy transport weight. The large disc brakes also guarantee a safe ride.
When selecting the cargo bike, care was also taken to ensure that it was manufactured in Germany and was available from a dealer in Zittau in order to minimize theCO2 emissions caused by transport.
In consultation with Dr. Cordeiro, it is possible to borrow the cargo bike. You will also find good practice offers from our Sustainable Campus and opportunities to get active yourself.