CIDETEC Surface Engineering applies omniphobic coatings to construct more efficient buildings

The recently completed iClimabuilt project has validated these high-quality, low-cost solutions in various full-scale demonstrators across Europe.

The European I-climabuilt project has concluded after four years of research with significant advances in the field of building envelope materials. Funded by the European Commission with more than €16 million, the project sought to move closer to the goal of near-zero emissions for new buildings, in line with the energy efficiency targets set by the EU.

CIDETEC Surface Engineering has succeeded in developing high-quality, low-cost omniphobic coatings designed to reduce maintenance, improve the insulation and comfort of buildings, extend the useful life of different materials and increase the performance of photovoltaic installations.

In addition, CIDETEC has perfected its omniphobic coating pilot plant, moving towards greater industrial acceptance of these solutions and consolidating its role in the I-climabuilt innovation ecosystem. The coatings have been applied automatically and in a controlled manner to different substrates — window glass, cement, PLA and photovoltaic glass — and subsequently validated in real conditions in buildings located in Dresden (Germany), Trondheim (Norway), Turin (Italy) and Manresa and Amposta (Spain).

The consortium has brought together a group of 16 research centres and 11 SMEs with extensive experience and complementary profiles, generating an important collective legacy: the improvement of nine pilot lines and five Living Labs distributed across different climate zones, the validation of seven full-scale demonstration cases, the incorporation of external innovation through 8 Open Call projects, the launch of the SEP (Single Entry Point) platform to facilitate access for industry players, and the creation of the WiseClimaBuild joint venture, which will ensure the continuity and impact of the advances beyond the life of the project.