EC Funding received for research into functional adaptive nano-materials and technologies for energy efficient buildings

Fraunhofer IGB Press Release /

Within the FoAM-BUILD project, a consortium consisting of nine partners will develop next generation External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) for new build and retrofitting applications. The Fraunhofer IGB is involved to test the effectiveness of a new biofilm protection system.

FoAM-BUILD - Energy saving in the course of the product's life of a building facade
© DAW SE
FoAM-BUILD - Energy saving in the course of the product's life of a building facade
© DAW SE
Alprotect Carbon.

A consortium consisting of nine partners has secured 3,519,576 euros of EU funding to develop next generation External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) for new build and retrofitting applications. The four-year project, called FoAM-BUILD is part-funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme. Research undertaken during the project will comprise innovations in:

  • Insulation material: development of new, lightweight and highly insulating nano-cellular foams, with a 50% reduction in thermal conductivity compared to conventional insulation elements.Non-halogenated nano-based flame retardants will be developed and incorporated into these materials using new processing routes.
  • Active monitoring and control of moisture: a control system will be developed based on a sensor network to measure moisture and liquid water. Data from the sensors will be combined with an intelligent system for moisture prediction, and the system will respond by activating a ventilator system incorporated into the buildings heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to dry targeted areas of the facade. The materials and systems will be tested and demonstrated within the project by industrial end-users, with the creation of demonstration insulation material, sensor network and intelligent system, ventilation system and a full-scale facade system at TRL level 6.

It is expected that the technology developed within the FoAM-BUILD project will lead to energy savings of 192,000 kWh to 288,000 kWh over a facade lifetime of 30 years.  Additionally, the new biofilm protection system will extend the service life of the facade surface from 5 years to 20 years for a north facade in central Europe.

On 13th September 2013 a kick-off meeting with all partners took place at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT), Germany, co-ordinator of the FoAM-BUILD project. During the meeting first steps were discussed and a detailed plan was made for the first three months. The next general assembly meeting will take place at DAW SE, Germany, in March 2014.

The FoAM-BUILD consortium, is comprised of nine European organisations including Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V. and DAW SE from Germany, Smithers Rapra and Smithers Pira Ltd from the UK, National Centre for Scientific Research (DEMOKRITOS) from Greece, ELKEM AS from Norway, SUNPOR Kunststoff GmbH from Austria, TBC Generateur d Innovation from France, Ateknea Solutions S.A from Spain and Stichting Nederlands Normalisatie-Instituut (NEN) from Netherlands. Norner Research AS from Norway will most likely join the consortium during the first months of the project.

This research project receives funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7; EeB.NMP.2013-1) under grant agreement number 609200.