3M is a global science company with an unstoppable innovative capacity, offering more than 55,000 products in the market that reach all kinds of fields, from offices and hospitals to factories in strategic sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and rail. 
Our integrated team of 8,300 scientists and researchers use 46 technology platforms to work with customers and continue innovating. Our innovation has improved the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. 
3M has registered over 105,000 patents and, in the last 5 years, has invested 6% of sales profits in Research and Development. Currently, 3M has more than 89,000 employees in 70 countries and a global sales volume exceeding $30 billion in 200 countries.

In the rail sector, 3M advises companies involved in the manufacturing process of rolling stock to improve their production processes by using adhesives to join all kinds of lighter materials with less maintenance, resulting in cost reductions of up to 25%. This collaboration extends to train manufacturers, operators and maintainers, component and auxiliary material manufacturers, as well as intermediate companies that perform material conversions and adhesive tape lamination/die-cutting to optimize customer processes.

Managing Director, Spain: Roberto Anta
Local Sales Manager, Adhesives and Tapes Division: Ana Hombrados
Chief Financial Officer, Spain: Juan Antonio Rodríguez

Among the adhesive technologies that 3M provides to the rail sector, we offer solutions for the following rail interior assemblies:

- Interior fastenings with Dual-Lock™ removable fastening systems for panels, reducing vibrations.
- Structural joints with two-component adhesives (car body, roof systems, air ducts, underframe, sandwich panel manufacturing and installation, etc.)
- Self-adhesive systems with adhesive tapes for floor pavement installation, insulation, decorative elements, among others.
- Improvement of manufacturing processes by replacing liquid adhesives with 3M™ VHB™ viscoelastic semi-structural tapes, saving time and enhancing overall performance.
- Repair and maintenance of vehicles in service, such as waterproofing and sealing leaks.
- Refurbishment of cars with new designs and interior accessories.
- Training/refresher sessions on tapes and adhesives for EAB (European Adhesive Bonders) operators and EAE (European Adhesive Engineers).
- Technical support: process consulting, customer demonstrations, laboratory testing, adhesive joint performance studies through finite element simulations.
- Adhesive consulting services according to the EN 45545-2 standard for the rail sector.

At 3M, the sustainability strategy supports the achievement of business objectives across all organizational functions and the three business groups. To this end, the innovation engine is being reignited by launching more new products to achieve operational excellence in 2025 and beyond.

Aligned around its three sustainability pillars:

-    Science for Circular Economy
-    Science for Climate
-    Science for Community

The sustainability goals have focused on carbon, water, and plastics. Emphasizing these key areas helps optimize efforts and supports 3M's priorities of sustained organic revenue growth, operational performance, and effective capital deployment.

Top products: COMPONENTS: 1. High thickness viscoelastic 3M^TM VHB^TM adhesive foam film with very high adhesion to materials that present bonding challenges. 2. Permanent and removable 3M^TM Dual-Lock^TM fastening system with high resistance for interior design assembly needs with improvements in vibration damping, aesthetics and maintenance. 3. 3M^TM Scotch-Weld^TM Flexible Structural Acrylic Adhesives with High Mechanical Strength and Elasticity for Multi-Material Bonding. ENGINEERING AND CONSULTING: 4. Finite Element Analysis of Adhesive Bonds: 3M provides Assessment to engineers in predicting bonded assemblies performance and optimizing designs.

The portfolio of industrial tapes and adhesives has been incorporated into the design and manufacturing of all new trains produced in Spain by manufacturers CAF, Talgo, Alstom, and Stadler. Similarly, more than 80 tiers in the sector have implemented our technological solutions through our network of distributors specialized in the railway sector. These adhesives have been used in the refurbishment and maintenance operations of the fleets of the main national operators, including RENFE, TMB, FGC, and Metro Madrid, among others.

Semi-structural adhesive tapes and Dual- Lock ™ fastening systems have been specified in all multi-year state projects, ensuring the technological continuity of the projects.

Seven specialized webinars on adhesive bonding used in the railway sector have been conducted, with participation from more than 100 companies in the sector, exceeding a thousand attendees. Additionally, ten specific training sessions on 3M products for the railway sector have been carried out, in collaboration with all the OEMs and tiers we work with, upon request. 

Furthermore, more than 15,000 hours of simulated accelerated aging have been completed in our climate chambers as part of our testing for our customers in the sector.

Quality and Environment:
Quality Management System: ISO 9001:2015
Environmental Management System ISO 14001:2015