11-19-2012 Asia-bound ECOPHIT Products from SGL Group for Eco-friendly Air Conditioning of Buildings AHK Greater China delegation visits flagship projects in FrankfurtGrowing interest in green buildings in China
Frankfurt/Eschborn, November 19, 2012. As part of its networking activities in Asia and as an AHK Greater China member, SGL Group The Carbon Company welcomed a group of twenty architects, engineers, and developers to Frankfurt. The delegation journey was organized and realized by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK) Greater China (Official Delegation of German Industry & Commerce in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan). During their visit, the guests learned about the innovative ECOPHIT products of SGL Group and were shown flagship projects in which innovative surface heating/cooling systems based on the graphite material ECOPHIT are being successfully used for green buildings. The main focus was on a high-rise complex that meets the highest possible requirements for sustainable building ratings and has therefore been awarded the LEED Platinum Certificate and DGNB Gold Seal.
SGL Group is the first manufacturer of carbon products to use surface heating/cooling systems for buildings. Based on its long-standing competence in graphite and carbon materials ECOPHIT materials made from expanded natural graphite for use in radiant ceiling were patented and developed further in close cooperation with partners for the use in diverse device solutions.
ECOPHIT is the way forward because it can make air conditioning in buildings more efficient and eco-friendly with graphite elements. Energy savings of up to 40% can be achieved compared with standard air conditioning systems. In addition, surface heating/cooling systems with ECOPHIT improve the indoor environment and enhance space utilization thanks to the low installation height of the elements.
The energy efficiency of buildings is one of the greatest challenges of our time in the context of increasing urbanization. For this reason, AHK Greater China sees high potential for the innovative material ECOPHIT in the Chinese construction environment. In the metropolises of Asia, demand for resource-saving, energy-efficient buildings is really growing. The first installations of ECOPHIT radiant ceilings have already been completed in several countries of the Asian region. Further projects will follow in the next few months.
SGL Group already has a network of sales partners for ECOPHIT in the most important target markets to strengthen the market cultivation in future. In view of the growing demand for green buildings, SGL Group has recently formed a joint venture with the Lindner Group that will become operational at the start of 2013. The joint venture, trading under the name SGL Lindner GmbH & Co KG, will cover the entire value chain from the construction material and heating/cooling elements produced from it to energy-saving complete solutions for air conditioning of buildings. The new company combines the material competence of SGL Group in the manufacture of the eco-friendly graphite construction material ECOPHIT with the expertise of the Lindner Group in interior fit-outs, faade construction, and insulation engineering. The formation of the joint venture is subject to antitrust approval.
ECOPHIT is a registered trademark of the SGL Group companies
Description of ECOPHIT Expanded graphite is manufactured from natural graphite flakes with well-ordered crystalline structures. Graphite is a naturally occurring mineral and like diamond an inorganic modification of carbon. During the production process, the graphite flakes increase in volume by a factor of 200 to 400. The natural graphite expands to form a loose-textured vermicular structure, which can be further processed as required, e.g. by milling, compounding, compression, impregnation, lamination, and calendering. Expanded natural graphite is lightweight, eco-friendly, and non-flammable, while also having very good thermal and electrical conductivity.
About AHK Greater China AHK Greater China is the Official Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, it represents the overall economic interests of Germany and focuses on promoting bilateral trade and investment between Germany and Greater China. Additionally, through the Delegation, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Network in Greater China is in close contact with the Chinese government and supports political delegations on their visits to China.
About SGL Group The Carbon Company SGL Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of carbon-based products and materials. It has a comprehensive portfolio ranging from carbon and graphite products to carbon fibers and composites. SGL Group's core competencies are its expertise in high-temperature technology as well as its applications and engineering know-how gained over many years. These competencies enable the Company to make full use of its broad material base. SGL Group's carbon-based materials combine several unique properties such as very good electrical and thermal conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance as well as high mechanical strengthcombined with low weight. Due to industrialization in the growth regions of Asia and LatinAmerica and increased substitution of traditional with innovative materials, there is a growing demand for SGL Group's high-performance materials and products. Products from SGL Group are used predominantly in the steel, aluminum, automotive and chemical industries as well as in the semiconductor, solar and LED sectors and in lithium-ion batteries. Carbon-based materials and products are also being used increasingly in the wind power, aerospace and defense industries.
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