Sandler and its partner Akustik & Innovation implemented a new acoustic insulation concept in the cycle track and event arena Velodrome Suisse in Grenchen, Switzerland.
 
Sandler’s premium-quality nonwoven sawatec 4673 won the building owners over, according to the company, offering an excellent nonwoven absorber material for the insulation of 1800 sqm of wall. This nonwoven had already passed acoustic tests and been confirmed as a high-grade absorber material.
 
Sandler says this material had already been used successfully in public institutions, but the company is now celebrating the use of the nonwoven in the Velodrome Suisse. The self-supporting acoustic panels used for wall insulation are made of environmentally friendly polyester fibers, which are partly made of recycled fibers. The premium-quality absorber sawatec 4673 allows for an easy installation; protective clothing is not necessary. Visually appealing and adapted to the wooden structure of the wall, the nonwoven panels were installed in front of the existing walls, using a grid system made of wood. Within the scope of this project, the nonwoven met the requirements of the building material class B1 according to DIN 4102. Furthermore, the absorber nonwoven features a particularly smooth surface, resulting in a well-sealed structure. The installation of the Sandler absorber cut the reverberation time in less than half, thus significantly improving acoustics. The velodrome now fulfills the acoustic requirements of a multi-purpose hall, which it already proved to operators, organizers and visitors alike.
 
The multi-purpose venue Velodrome Suisse encompasses an area of 2678 sqm and houses the fastest cycling track in Europe. Up to 30 cyclists can compete in a race, reaching speeds exceeding 50 kmph. Visitors have long since described the noise during the race as being very unpleasant and disturbing. In the future, the velodrome will not only be used for cycle races but also exhibitions, concerts and other events. The objective was to reduce the reverberation time by more than eight seconds, thus creating a quiet atmosphere. A renovation concept that would achieve optimal sound insulation at an overall low effort was needed. Additionally, the selected material had to fit in with the visual appearance of the velodrome.