In a groundbreaking collaboration, Expliseat, Gen Phoenix, and Yellow Window unveiled SITaeris at InnoTrans 2024 – a rail seat that sets new standards for sustainability, comfort, and design in the rail industry. By partnering with Gen Phoenix, a leader in sustainable materials, we’ve created a seat that not only offers premium comfort but also significantly reduces its environmental impact.
Sustainability is deeply embedded in Gen Phoenix’s mission. We spoke with Nico den Ouden, Chief Innovation Officer at Gen Phoenix, to gain insights into their innovative processes. With over 20 years of experience in transforming leather waste into high-quality recycled materials, Gen Phoenix has consistently led the way in sustainable manufacturing. We carefully choose partners like them who share our vision for creating innovative products with a minimal environmental footprint.
Sustainability at the Core of Innovation
Gen Phoenix’s recycling process is a testament to how innovation can solve environmental challenges. Instead of sending leather waste to landfills, they deconstruct and mill leather offcuts into fibers, which are then formed into new, uniform sheets without the use of harmful chemicals. This process significantly reduces waste and gives the product an 83% lower carbon footprint compared to traditional leather, a crucial factor for industries like rail and aviation.
Their sustainable production methods are only part of the story. Gen Phoenix’s products are designed to be durable, ensuring that their materials last longer, which further reduces environmental impact. As Nico den Ouden noted, “Durability is at the core of what we do. The first step to being more sustainable is using less material.”
Collaboration on SITaeris
Find our more about the new SITaeris
Setting a New Benchmark for Sustainability
SITaeris represents a new benchmark for sustainable rail seating, combining ultralight materials, advanced design, and environmental responsibility. Built using our signature composite material, a key element of Expliseat’s DNA, SITaeris is 40% lighter than conventional rail seats.
The seat’s reduced carbon footprint, durability, and circularity ensure that it not only meets but exceeds industry expectations. Gen Phoenix’s innovative materials are designed to last, and their latest technology development is a solution for products at the end of their lifecycle, recycling and repurposing them into new products, creating a closed-loop system.
Nico den Ouden praised the collaboration, highlighting shared values around innovation and sustainability. “We’re happy to work with Expliseat on this project because they’re bold and willing to change the industry,” he said. As sustainability becomes a growing priority for rail operators, SITaeris arrives at the perfect moment, offering a forward-thinking solution that could reshape the future of rail travel.
By harnessing cutting-edge sustainable materials and innovative design, we, alongside Gen Phoenix and Yellow Window, have not only created a seat that meets the highest standards of comfort and aesthetics but one that leads the way toward a more sustainable, efficient future for rail travel.
Nico den Ouden Bio
Nico joined Gen Phoenix in 2009 and led the commercial team to establish the company’s position in Aviation and Ground Transport seating. As Chief Innovation Officer, he applies his deep expertise in sustainable technology to meet customer needs. Prior to Gen Phoenix, he held leadership roles at Acheson Colloids and Croda Oleochemicals, focusing on innovative solutions for EV batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and plant-based materials.
