SIMONA supplies plastic system for first overland circuit of the earth

In support of the first expedition to circumnavigate the world by land, SIMONA had constructed a pontoon system from SIMONA® PE-HWU sheets, the aim being to transport the team vehicles safely across the Bering Strait.

Unfortunately, the team led by Matthias Jeschke was hampered by severe weather conditions in the run-up to its first attempt in the winter of 2008/2009. The second expedition has been scheduled for January 2010 and will again feature the SIMONA pontoon system, which has already proved successful.

As in the past, SIMONA will be supporting the attempt at carbon-neutral circumnavigation with significant Further Information: http://pny2009.com/
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Source Release (year 2008):

It’s one of the few remaining big challenges, and something that nobody has ever achieved: a full overland circuit of the earth. Now the feat will be attempted by a team headed by Matthias Jeschke, the man behind some remarkable record-breaking exploits in automobiles. The biggest obstacle on this voyage of extremes will be crossing the Bering Strait, where the expedition must take to the open water. To achieve this, SIMONA has produced a float system that will be subjected to severe demands.

The greatest problem facing the designers of the float system for vehicles taking part in the Paris/New York Transcontinental 2009 expedition was finding a way to maximise load-bearing capacity whilst minimising weight. The engineers turned to a material capable of withstanding extreme pressures: SIMONA® PE-HWU sheets offer outstanding weathering stability, performing impressively in a wide range of applications within an operating range of -50°C to +80°C.

Thanks to a combination of low weight and high impact resistance, effective handling of the components in the float system is guaranteed. For the duration of the expedition, the SIMONA floats will be transported on trailers. When required, it must be possible for the drivers to attach them to the jeeps under extreme conditions, using muscle power only – and then remove them again.

The Project:

The international team is aiming to become the first to circumnavigate the globe by land using automobiles only, tracing ancient human migration routes. In this way, the team will promote carbon neutrality, the use of renewable energies and energy efficiency around the world.

The historic route takes in a total of 20 countries as it passes through Europe, Russia, Mongolia, Alaska, Canada and the USA. In each country, the emphasis will be on the ways in which specific nations, partner organisations and the project team can come together to combat or neutralise carbon dioxide emissions, generating as much publicity as possible in the process.

The carbon-neutral Paris/New York Transcontinental 2009 expedition will take place in winter as it bids to write history without leaving a carbon footprint. Several measures will be taken to preserve the integrity of the environment along the route of almost 43,000 kilometres.
Firstly, the timing is important. To make sure no tyre tracks are left behind, the convoy will travel in winter. Whenever off-road, the vehicles will stick to metres-thick snow, ice and ground that is deep-frozen in permafrost.

For the engines, axles and gearboxes, the expedition will utilise low-emission biofuel and bio-oils based on easily biodegradable, renewable or regenerative materials. Carbon levels will be monitored throughout the project. At the end of the trip, the carbon dioxide created by the project will be offset by planting the appropriate number of trees in close cooperation with national authorities. Ultimately, therefore, the expedition will contribute towards a reduction in CO2.

SIMONA fully endorses the objectives of the round-the-world expedition, which is why the company has lent its support to the project. Environmental protection and the sustainable use of resources are key corporate priorities for SIMONA. For decades SIMONA has avoided using lead and cadmium in its production processes, establishing the company as a pioneer for the sector. We recycle more than 95 per cent of all waste, feeding these materials back into the production cycle. Our products for the automobile industry in particular serve to reduce weight, thereby contributing to lower emissions; and our environmental management system is certified under DIN EN ISO 14001. Above all, though, the considerable technical challenge of creating plastic floating pontoons for such extreme conditions captured the imagination of our engineers – and turned out to be a hugely enjoyable exercise.

Further Information: http://pny2009.com/