WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - Volkswagen is ordering 75 birch Wood Veneer Composite (WVC) skid conveyors for transporting cars through assembly stations in its Wolfsburg plant, following a successful test of five prototypes in bearing both static and dynamic loads.

The birch plywood skid conveyors reportedly provide a low-maintenance solution for transporting cars, with additional benefits such as low vibration and reduced noise. The WVC material is also lighter than metal counterparts, but is as least as resilient, says Germany’s Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR).

FNR promoted the development of the conveyors by the Technical University of Chemnitz in Germany. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BmEL) also supported the project.