With the Soundproof4win project, the market launch of a soundproof window was implemented, which drastically reduces sound emissions in urbanized areas without closing the window with a novel approach. The special construction of the soundproof window slows down the sound penetration so that the noise level is attenuated. The innovative sound-absorbing materials used also significantly reduce noise when the window is open. It has been proven that the window reduces the external noise level in the partially opened state by more than 30 dB noise level with high air passage (60-80m3/h, as with a completely open window).
In contrast, soundproof windows so far available on the market gave the user a choice - to endure the penetration of street noise or let fresh air into the room. This is because the spread of noise is a physical transmission of airborne noise. This means that wherever air can enter the building through openings, airborne sound and thus noise will enter the building. Even with the best soundproof windows to date, the noise level in urban areas with open or tilted windows in the interior of an apartment can quickly exceed 30 dB(A).
The consequences of noise are a lower quality of life for city dwellers, the prevention of housing creation in the urban environment through legal requirements, but also physical illnesses, sleep disorders or depression among the inhabitants. According to an EU position paper of 2011, the cost of noise in the EU-27 is €84.5 million per decibel (dB(A)) in health care alone. In addition, property prices are falling by €25/ dB(A) per property.
With the new soundproof window from Eilenburger Fenstertechnik (EFt), we are remedying these deficiencies and offering a product with concrete added value over the state-of-the-art technology. Soundproofing windows have a total share of the EU window market in relation to the sales of ≈ 4 %, which corresponds to a market turnover of approx. 4.0 billion €. Accordingly, EFt has very good sales opportunities for this unique product.
The objectives within this SME Instrument Innovation Project included:
• Automation of production to reduce the manufacturing costs of the soundproof window
• Significant reduction of the manufacturing process time to 1/3 of the current installation time for absorbers and windows.
• Development of electrically operated windows for applications in buildings with building automation
• Planning tool for architects and planners for acoustic planning
• Contractual commitment of sales partners within and outside Europe
• A series of training sessions with architects / urban planners / employees of building physics offices in various European countries.
• Successful market launch and realization of an order intake volume of € 5,000,000
Both the technical and the commercial objectives were largely achieved. In Europe, the product was launched and established on the market. In concrete terms, the following progress was achieved within the framework of the project:
1) Market establishment in Europe of a technology to minimise outdoor noise indoors. EFt's innovative product is aimed primarily at owners and users of buildings who are permanently affected by noise levels in excess of 55 dB (A). The window is used and sold particularly in urban areas and in large transport and traffic infrastructures.
2) Target users will be enabled to achieve effective noise abatement in densely populated areas. The new absorber modules, as validated in the individual measurement series and reports, will provide EFt with significant noise reduction.
3) The project significantly increases the growth of the company's current turnover. EFt's competitiveness was increased by upscaling production and reducing manufacturing costs.
