Periodic Reporting for period 1 - nCell (an advanced thermal insulating material with improved properties based on NanoCELLularpolymers)
Reporting period: 2016-03-01 to 2016-08-31
The overall aim of nCell project is to introduce in the international market a novel generation of advanced thermal insulating materials, which are based on nanocellular polymers. The concept of nCell lies in the reduction of the cell size of the insulating material from the micro-scale to the nanoscale. Their disruptive thermal properties, at least 2 times better than those of the best conventional thermal insulating materials, combined with excellent mechanical properties and competitive prices will allow a quick penetration in the market in which there is a good business opportunity for companies able to produce highly efficient and cost-effective thermal insulating materials due the current regulatory framework (Energy efficiency directive).
Up to now a feasibility study which contains a technical study, a market analyses, an economic study and an IPR and legal issues study has been carried out. The technical study has revealed that nCell materials present better properties than current existing solutions. Moreover, the formulations to produce the materials have been optimised. The market analyses have allowed identifying market niches that the products will cover. The main one will be the use of the material as thermal insulator in residential, industrial and civil buildings. In addition, nCell will be able to access more stringent market niches such as regions with extreme climatic conditions and prestige buildings. In addition, a commercialization plan has been elaborated. The economic study has proved the high impact that the material and the technology will have in the market and in the company growth. The IPR study has allowed us to confirm that there is freedom to operate with regards to nCell technology
Both the production technology and the products developed are beyond the state of the art. nCell materials have much better thermal insulation capabilities than conventional insulating materials currently used in the building sector and competitive prices. This will allow a significant market penetration of these materials in a short time. The use of these materials will significantly improve the energy efficiency of buildings and as a consequence the energy needed to heat and cool all type of buildings. The new materials will reduce the emission of CO2 and will increase the internal space of new buildings because it would be possible to significantly reduce the thickness of the thermal insulating panels over current solutions.