Building and construction
The building and construction industry represented 16.8 percent of the aerogel market in 2016. [1] Demand for improved material solutions in the real estate and construction industry is mainly driven by the increased demands on building energy efficiency, increased space, comfort, reduced material consumption, lower weight, avoiding damage and safety:
- Improving thermal and acoustic insulation
- Fire protection for wood and metal
- Lowering density and reducing material consumption
Application examples: Thermal and acoustic insulation paint & plaster, panels, insulating plaster and concrete (lightweight and/or fireproof), sealants and fire protection paint.
Customers: Manufacturer of paint & plaster, plasterboard, concrete, etc.
Market potential – Quartzene in the building and construction industry
One factor that drives the market is the need for greater energy efficiency. Global energy use for buildings grew from 118 EJ to 128 EJ between 2010 and 2019. [2] Carbon dioxide emissions, caused by the global building stock, from electricity and commercial heating were measured at a record high level of 10 GtCO2 in 2019. [3] When indirect emissions from upstream power production are taken into account, buildings accounted for 28 percent of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2019. [4] The EU presents opportunities through new rules and at the same time provides space for new technologies that can be implemented quickly to improve insulation. [5] Renovation solutions will consist of a number of complementary materials, of which thermally insulating paints and plasters will play a major role. The United States and the European Union, among others, have taken strict measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. The EU’s goal of all new buildings achieving a net neutral energy use by 2020 is a concrete example of this. [6]
Heat-insulating materials are used in the buidling and construction industry to keep cool during the summer months and at the same time reduce heating during the winter. The materials are applied to different parts of buildings such as, walls, floors, roofing, steam pipes, chimneys and steel structures. This increases the buildings’ energy efficiency by reducing the need for heating and cooling systems. In an insulation solution with Quartzene, less material is used compared with traditional insulation and thus the space increases. [7]
[1] Markets and Markets – Aerogel market: Forecast to 2022, 2017
[2,3,4) International Energy Agency – Tracking Buildings 2020, 2020
[5] European Commission – Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU), 2019
[6,7) Markets and Markets – Insulation coatings market: Forecast to 2023, 2019