AkzoNobel is now the exclusive provider for solar absorbing wall technology

AkzoNobel, the brand name synonymous with coatings innovations, once again surprises the industry by introducing solar absorbing wall technology. Soon after introducing the coating that can help cool or warm the building, now AkzoNobel becomes exclusive paint supplier to the Calosol heat-retaining façade technology it helped to create.

Team AkzoNobel along with Dutch partners Emergo and TNO jointly created this innovative panel system that successfully transforms the façades of homes and buildings into a source of energy. At the heart of the technology is a special AkzoNobel coating which can harness energy from the portion of sunlight invisible to the human eye. Thus, the all-new system can capture solar energy as long as there’s daylight and even when it’s raining.

“The built environment accounts for around 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions, so finding effective solutions to help reduce the environmental footprint of buildings is vital,” says Wijnand Bruinsma, AkzoNobel’s Director of Sustainability. “Our Sikkens brand in the Netherlands already helps customers achieve BREEAM certification and this new façade technology is another innovative addition to what we currently offer.”

The unique coating is perfectly suitable for new-builds or renovation projects that may be disconnected from the gas network. Exploring the capability of the coating it has been suggested that using the Calosol technology can result in 20-30% less electricity being needed, compared with a traditional air-to-water heat pump. The technology is likely to contribute to green building certifications such as BREEAM and LEED.

“The technology we’ve developed with Emergo and TNO represents an important step in helping to make the built environment more sustainable, especially when you consider that 80% of today’s buildings will remain in use beyond 2050. So, addressing their carbon footprint isn’t just an environmental concern, it’s a pressing economic and societal challenge,” Bruinsma added further.

“The Calosol heat-retaining façade technology is the perfect complement to our sustainable prefab roof and aesthetic façade solutions,” explains Hendrik-Jan Weggeman, Director of Emergo.

“It’s particularly effective for the renovation of residential homes and other structures such as public buildings that have important heating needs, including swimming pools. It provides added value to property owners, architects and housing corporations, expanding the possibilities for sustainable renovations.”