Eco-innovative, frameless wood window with premium design, highest energy saving performance and maximum open area

Project Information

W2C

Grant agreement ID: 729206

DOI

10.3030/729206

Project closed

EC signature date 26 May 2016

Start date 1 June 2016

End date 31 October 2016

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

WECO WINDOWS SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - W2C (Eco-innovative, frameless wood window with premium design, highest energy saving performance and maximum open area)

Reporting period: 2016-06-01 to 2016-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

W2C “Window to See” is a triple-glazed, high-performance insulating wood window. Its unique design has received four international recognized awards (Red Dot Award ‘15, Architect’s Newspaper ´15, German Design Award ’16, A’Design Award ‘16, Architectural record ´16). W2C will be the first window in the market that combines the strict energy-saving standards demanded by the Passive House Institute (PHI) and a frameless design that maximizes the window´s open area.

During SME-Instrument Phase I (1st June – 31st October 2016) we have assessed the technical, commercial and financial viability of W2C’s different prototype versions: sliding, tilt-and-turn, pivot and fixed.

During the technical assessment, we have specified the window’s configuration (type of glazing of the three layers and its thickness), as well as calculate its energy performance (U-value) an other key factors (acoustic insulation, solar transmittance…), in order to achieve the Passive House Institute Component Certification requirements (the maximum internationally recognized standard that certifies high energy saving building components).

Our product is intended to the fast growing market of Passive Houses (it is estimated that the number of passive houses will eightfold between 2015 to 2021). We have identified 20 European potential clients to whom we aim to supply our product. They are construction and refurbishment companies that seek for highly energy-efficient products with an exquisite design in order to meet their own clients demands.

W2C will be launched to the market in 2020. First commercialization countries will be Spain, France and Italy (2020-2021), followed by Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavia (2022-2023) and Belgium, Chez Republic, UK and US (2024). A network of authorized dealers, technicians and manufacturers will be built in the different commercialization countries in order to market our solution.
As an overall conclusion, we can affirm that W2C is not only feasible from and technical, commercial and financial point of view but that also is a great business opportunity to boost both partners involved in the project - WECO and VIJO – competitiveness.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Main tasks performed during the SME-Instrument Phase I and its results are explained below:

Technical assessment: we have specified W2C configuration (the triple glazing and its thickness adapting the former laminated wooden frame and the fittings) and calculate the following parameters: the thermal insulation (U-value of glazing and frame), solar transmittance (g-value), acoustic insulation characteristics (soundproofing –dB- of glazing and frame), airtightness and moisture resistance.
Results: the outcome from the trials shows that our window is suitable to obtain the Passive House Component Certification as well as it accomplishes with the requirements to be marketed in the EU28 and the US.

Commercial assessment: we have studied our target market and its main barriers and drivers, identified potential clients, analysed our competitors, studied regulations concerning the marketing of W2C in the EU28 and the US and performed a Freedom to Operate (FTO) Analysis. Finally, we have drafted a Commercialization Plan and defined a manufacturing and sailing strategy.
Results: we have identified three main market segments to address W2C: the Passive House market, the building refurbishments with an energy-saving aim and the new high energy-efficient buildings construction. Those three segments are growing since there is an increasing environmental awareness (on a survey carried out with 27,000 EU27 citizens, 47% of the respondents considered that reducing home energy consumption should be on the top three priorities to protect the environment) and the EU has established in the Directive 2010/31/EU that the construction sector should converge to nearly zero energy buildings by the end of 2020. Our first commercialization countries will be ES, FR and IT (2020), followed by DE, AT, CH, NO, SE and DK (2022) and finally BE, CZ, UK and US (2024). We will create a network of authorized dealers, technicians and manufacturers in order to cope with the demand in these countries. In order to market W2C within the EU we may affix the CE marking and elaborate a Declaration of Performance. To market in the US, we will follow the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Certification Program. Our competitors are developing fast, but W2C is the only solution in the market that combines the Passive House Institute Certification requirements with a sleek design and offers the most competitive price (37% cheaper). The FTO shows that W2C is not confronted with any existing patent.

Financial assessment: we have analysed the production cost per sqm of W2C, assessed the best pricing strategy and elaborated an economic forecast for the first five commercialization years (2020-2024). Finally, we have foreseen possible risks and drafted a mitigation plan.

Results: W2C’s cost per sqm is competitive when compared to the competence already in the market. We foresee to obtain a ROI of 3.91.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

We expect to introduce by 2020 a product in the market which is technically superior (achieves the Passive House Institute Component Certification requirements) and most cost-effective than its competitors (the average competing solutions’ prices are 37% more expensive).

W2C will contribute to achieve the EU goal of “nearly-zero energy buildings” by 2020 since our product accomplishes with the Passive House Institute Component Certification requirements, meaning that it provides the highest insulation and the best energy performance. Our end-users will benefit from an extra comfort feeling and meet a monthly saving in the energy bill. In addition, the frameless design that maximizes the window open area provides a sleek end and increases our product’s willingness to use.

The Passive House market is rapidly increasing (the number of passive houses is expected to eightfold between 2015 and 2021), however, there are only 47 wood windows certified as Passive in the world. Hence, our solution will increase consumers’ choice.

W2C will boost our company’s competitiveness. After five years of commercialization, we expect to have reached thirteen different countries. We will create 16 new jobs and we will establish commercial alliances (to create the network of authorized dealers, technicians and manufacturers) with other EU SMEs, promoting their growth too.

W2C tilt and turn version

W2C pivot version

W2C sliding version