AkzoNobel appointed as the exclusive supplier for solar-absorbing coatings technology.

Following the development of a groundbreaking coating that regulates building temperature, AkzoNobel is now the exclusive paint supplier for the Calosol heat-retaining façade technology it co-created.

The innovative panel system, designed to turn the façades of homes and buildings into a source of energy, was developed in collaboration with Dutch partners Emergo and TNO. Central to the technology is a unique AkzoNobel coating capable of capturing energy from the portion of sunlight invisible to the human eye, allowing the system to harness solar power whenever there is daylight—even on rainy days.

Suitable for both new builds and renovation projects—and capable of operating independently from the gas network—Calosol technology is estimated to reduce electricity consumption by 20–30% compared with a conventional air-to-water heat pump. This opens up the potential for homes and buildings to become energy-neutral or even energy-positive. Additionally, the technology can support green building certifications such as BREEAM and LEED.

“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.” 

Continues Bruinsma: “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.”  

“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.

With approximately 60 billion square meters of unused facade surfaces—and a similar amount of roof space—across the European Union, the technology holds significant potential for green building applications.

Having been successfully trialled in extensive pilot projects with multiple Dutch housing associations, the system is already featured at a sports hall in Almere and is set to be installed in several public buildings across the Netherlands in the coming months.

Source: AkzoNobel