The Butterfly’s design includes several advanced features aimed at improving operational efficiency and sustainability:
- Automated Roof System: The composite panel roof opens and closes in just 20 seconds through a 270-degree motion, ensuring watertight sealing. This system can be controlled from the ground, enhancing safety by eliminating the need for operators to work at heights.
- Recyclable Materials: Constructed from panels made of long glass fibres in a thermoplastic matrix, the container combines strength, flexibility, and lightness. The panels are fully recyclable and can be repurposed for uses such as furniture production.
- Versatility: The Butterfly is suitable for various loads, including fertilisers and waste, reducing odours and offering an alternative to traditional metal containers.
- Intermodal Integration: With a low carbon footprint and competitive pricing, the container facilitates the inclusion of rail links in logistics chains, aligning with EU goals to promote intermodal transport.
The Butterfly was developed in collaboration with Belgian design firm Agesia and Italian manufacturer CCFC. Rigorous testing over three months in outdoor and real operating conditions validated the prototype’s performance and durability.
The launch of the Butterfly aligns with the EU’s push for intermodal transport to reduce road freight’s CO2 emissions, which currently account for 75% of the sector’s emissions. In France, only 11% of goods are transported by rail compared to 18% in Europe, underscoring the need for solutions like the Butterfly.