Building & Construction
In the building and construction industry, the demand for improved energy efficiency, lightweight structures and fire protection are increasing. Operational energy use for heating and cooling buildings is causing high levels of carbon dioxide emissions and high costs, which has led the European Union to take strict measures to increase the energy efficiency of buildings. In order to meet the targets, the building and construction sector must be proactive and find new, innovative material solutions.
Naerogel with it’s material properties what the industry calls for: thermal insulation, low density, and increased safety. Due to the material’s versability, it can be used in a variety of applications in the building and construction sector.
Examples of applications
Cool roof solutions
Cool roof paints can be applied on roofs to reflect sunrays and reduce the heat absorbed by the building. In warm countries, this can reduce energy use due to reduced space conditioning, which in turn lowers the energy costs. Cool roof paints contribute to healthier indoor environments for people, animals, and food.
As Naerogel has excellent insulating properties and a high SRI (solar reflectance index), the material is a crucial additive in cool roof applications. Testing has shown that when Naerogel is added to the cool roof coating and wall plaster of a house in a warm climate, there are significant energy savings. Owing to reduced energy use, the building’s energy costs are lowered, and less carbon dioxide is produced. In recent years, Svenska Aerogel has seen an increasing demand for Naerogel in cool roof solutions.
Fire protection for wood and metal
The need for alternative fire resistance solutions and protection of property is increasing in the building and construction sector today. Naerogel works as an effective and environmentally sound additive for adequate fire protection. For example, it can be used in silicate paints to further increase the fire resistance performance in terms of longer time to ignition (TTI) and lower heat release rate (HRR). Alkali silicate coatings containing Naerogel meet the highest possible fire protection class for wood, Euroclass B, with the test result B-s1, d0.
Other insulating coatings and materials
Heat-insulating products are used to keep buildings cool during the summer months and warm during the winter. In the case of cool roof solutions, the coatings are applied to walls and roofs, but insulating coatings can also be applied to floors, steam pipes, and steel structures. This increases the buildings’ energy efficiency by reducing the need for heating and cooling systems. In an insulation solution with Naerogel, less material is needed compared with traditional insulation and thus the space requirement is decreased. Examples of other types of insulating materials include PIR foam panels. PIR panels containing Naerogel have a low thermal conductivity and improve fire protection in buildings.
Want to know more?
Contact us for support – fill in the form and let us guide you to the right solution.