Potma develops lightweight & durable aluminium honeycomb structures, ideal for ships & rail vehicles

Headquartered in Finland, Potma has created an advanced aluminium honeycomb-structured construction material tailored for high-performance industries. A specialised adhesive developed by Kiilto plays a crucial role in the integrity and performance of these innovative panels.  

These structures are highly corrosion resistant and comply with stringent fire safety standards, making them a reliable and versatile solution for various industrial applications. Inspired by the natural geometry of a beehive, Potma’s honeycomb structures are ideal for weight-sensitive applications and modular design solutions. Completely recyclable, these panels offer a sustainable solution with minimal hassle. Since there’s no need to remove adhesives or coatings, the panels can be recycled in their entirety, ready to go, just as they are.

“We provided the first aluminium honeycomb structures to the shipbuilding industry in 2005. We are the only company in the Nordic countries that manufactures the entire honeycomb structure from start to finish. And we’re growing strong internationally,” stated Potma managing director Matti Lassila.

Potmacore panels are commonly used in ships, elevators, cleanrooms, and rail vehicles, offering a reliable combination of durability and low weight. Offering a winning combination of strength that outperforms traditional materials like wood or gypsum, the 10 mm thick panel, for example, is around 50 per cent lighter yet strong enough to support loads of up to 2,000 kg/m².

With customisable thicknesses from 4 to 100 mm, these panels are a smart, versatile choice for projects where performance and weight matter most. These panels are designed to deliver exceptional lightness and strength for the shipbuilding, rail, and construction sectors.

“We cut the panels to the desired size and shape, as well as perforate or groove them based on the designs. The panels can also be coated, for instance with laminate. There is a very wide range of coating options available for honeycomb structures, whatever an architect can imagine designing,” added Potma business director Antti Lassila.

The Potmacore structure features an aluminium honeycomb core bonded between two aluminium sheets, with the adhesive playing a vital role in determining the panel’s overall performance. Potma and Kiilto began their collaborative development efforts in 2018 to refine this crucial component and enhance the structure’s capabilities. Potma was drawn to Kiilto for its proximity, strong reputation for quality, and outstanding customer service and product development. They appreciated Kiilto’s hands-on, efficient approach and the expertise of its specialists, who delivered results without unnecessary complexity.

Image Source: KiiLTO