Scott Bader’s long-standing partnership with Wrightbus helped to create a double-deck battery electric bus which can be seen on the streets of towns and cities across the UK. The StreetDeck Electroliner is currently operational across London, Oxford, York, Leicester, Norwich and Belfast, among other boroughs. Rapid-charge technology means this electrical model can spend more time on UK roads and generates 86% less CO₂ per km than traditional diesel buses.

Production of the vehicles relies on Scott Bader’s Crystic resins and gelcoats. To support Wrightbus on its path of innovation and environmental consciousness, the companies have been working together to find new ways to continue production in less carbon intensive means. One such solution has been the installation of Scott Bader’s innovative GelTint machines at Wrightbus’ headquarters in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

This investment allows specialist gelcoat colours to be manufactured on-site and therefore cuts down on significant carbon emissions generated by deliveries. It is estimated this has saved a conservative 1,795 tonnes¹ of carbon since its installation in 2021. Moving forward the partners are focused on the lightweighting of composite parts to achieve even greater efficiencies and further support the decarbonisation of fleets.

“The relationship with Scott Bader has been built on the strength of the team’s technical expertise, reliability of supply and values-alignment. As we grow our presence in the E-mobility market we need partners that are just as committed to progress. Scott Bader’s investment in its facilities and developing the technologies the automotive industry needs to transform is crucial to our continuing collaboration,” says Wrightbus Procurement Director, Paul King.

¹ This is based on deliveries equating to 5000 miles per annum but could be up to 50% higher.

As a global chemistry business specialising in innovative polymer solutions for structural materials, Scott Bader has undertaken several initiatives in pursuit of more environmentally positive solutions for the land transport sector. Working with a battery manufacturer Scott Bader devised a high-tech, self-levelling adhesive, which is used by brands synonymous with EV innovation.

Most recently the company has also announced its involvement in a consortium funded by Innovate UK to explore sustainable bio-based materials for vehicle interiors. Led by tech start-up Sonichem, the £600K grant will be used to harness the potential of various products taken from sawdust – produced as a by-product of forestry operations – such as lignin to make bio-based resins for net-zero vehicle manufacture. The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), the National Composites Centre (NCC), Polestar and SHD Composites are all lending their technologies and expertise to the project alongside Scott Bader.

“Our work with Wrightbus for the past 17 years has played an important part in securing our position as a go-to supplier for vehicle manufacturers looking to evolve their processes without compromising critical performance measures, such as fire retardancy,” says Anthony Dunne, Business Director for Scott Bader Ireland.

“The biggest benefit of such long-term partnerships is the opportunity to learn from each other – helping to improve systems and innovate for the future. We’re hugely motivated by the advancements we’re making with our established and new partners to devise composites and adhesives fit for the future of land transportation.”

For further information on the latest developments from Wrightbus visit wrightbus.com

To learn more about the Innovate-UK funded initiative, led by Sonichem see the company’s recent media announcement.