A holistic approach of the development and application of innovative composite cool-thermal insulating materials

The need to improve the energy performance of buildings, both new but also, and in particular, existing ones, is more imperative than ever. The “traditional” approach of thermal insulation is quite satisfactory for the reduction of thermal heating losses and loads, but it is not enough for coping with the problem of increased cooling loads, that are evolving to the single most influential problem, mainly for buildings in the densely built urban environment in Mediterranean and Southern European countries. 
Aim of the ongoing DICOM project, which is co-funded by the Hellenic General Secretariat for Research and Technology, is the design, development, production, evaluation, certification and introduction to the market of innovative, composite cool - thermal insulating materials based on the new generation of extruded polystyrene (XPS) with improved vapour permeability (lower water vapour diffusion resistance factor μ) as well as with use of special plasters as a final coating with specific features of low emissivity coefficient ε. The products will be shaped in a way that makes them easily and effectively applicable for the energy upgrade of existing buildings, but will also correspond to the construction techniques of new state of the art buildings.  
At the current stage, the specifications for the new products have been elaborated and their production has been launched. The whole process has been carried out in a holistic way, addressing the demands of the new energy and environmental requirements, the needs for a speedy and easy application of the materials in the construction site and the requirement to be competitive in the challenging European thermal insulation market.