EAE President Jacek W. Kulig (Poland) underlined in his welcome speech the positive development of this expert conference and of the association in general. Both can be regarded as established representatives of the European ETICS industry. Kulig highlighted that representatives of international partner associations in China, Japan, Canada and the USA had joined the ETICS Forum and welcomed the participants as a sign of the EAE’s growing international recognition.
The European ETICS market
Compared to the last survey from 2017, the European ETICS market grew slightly in 2020, said EAE Managing Director Ralf Pasker, explaining the association’s current market statistics. Without the significant decline in the Turkish market, the growth would have been more noticeable. Corona restrictions also stopped productions and construction sites in some countries for weeks. The leading ETICS countries in Europe in relation to their population are Slovakia, Austria, Bulgaria and Hungary (as of 2020). According to Ralf Pasker, a slight shift can be observed within the insulation materials used in ETICS: the share of EPS is declining slightly across Europe (70%); the share of mineral wool increased (26%). Interest in other insulation materials (4% polyurethane, phenolic foam, renewable raw materials) is also increasing in some countries, starting from a low level. The average insulation thicknesses continues to converge in all European countries; the average is now 125 mm. The growing renovation volume with ETICS was confirmed in an EAE survey about the first half of 2021. Italy and France stand out most clearly with increases of approx. 50% compared to the first half of 2020. The EAE members assume that the new funding schemes will further accelerate this trend.
Ambitious goals of the EU Commission
Ralf Pasker also introduced the participants to the Renovation Wave, the overarching strategy of the von der Leyen Commission to make Europe the first continent to be CO2-neutral. All new regulations and initiatives are checked against their contribution to this goal. The need for action is great, because the building sector with its over 200 million units contributes to around 40% of energy consumption and 40% of CO2 emissions across Europe.
The revision of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is a component of the “Fit-for-55” legislative package with which the European Commission aims to achieve the recently improved climate target for 2030: 55% reduction in CO2 emissions. Helene Sibilieau from the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) referred to the special role model function of public entities as well as making the desired climate protection goals achievable through appropriate financial and technical support.
Europe invests in energy-efficient buildings
Vilislava Ivanova (think tank E3G) and Caroline Simpson (Renovate Europe Campaign) presented preliminary excerpts from a new study that analyzes the national recovery and resiliance plans regarding their contribution to improve the energy-efficiency of existing buildings. A first finding is that in the 18 countries examined, a substantial budget is actually provided for the renovation of buildings. Depending on the country, the proportion is between 10% and 15% of total budget. Around 60% of this is allocated to residential buildings, 34% to public buildings. On average, at least 30% primary energy savings must be achieved.
First ever EAE Awards
Positive experiences with the ETHOUSE Awards in Austria, the INCA Awards in United Kingdom, the EIMA Hero Awards in the USA and the ECC EIFS Design Awards in Canada encouraged the EAE
members to launch an architecture award on a European level. EAE board member Alessandro Siragusa (Italy) moderated the first award ceremony in four categories. 50 attractive properties from ten countries were submitted (see separate press release). Winners and award-winning projects are presented on the completely redesigned website www.ea-etics.eu.
EU initiative addressing holistic and sustainable architecture
Georg Pendl, President of the Architects Council of Europe, presented the European Bauhaus Initiative of the European Commission. Its aim is to encourage architects and contractors to use innovative approaches to ensure greater sustainability and environmental compatibility over the entire life cycle of buildings. According to Pendl, the holistic approach, which also focuses on people as users of all buildings, is important. This includes affordability and the fight against energy poverty, but also the design of cities where people enjoy living in.
EAE Vice President Prof. Zuzana Sternova (Slovakia) drew a positive conclusion to the event, which gave an up-to-date picture of the European ETICS market with its solid development and clear growth trends.
The recording of the event is available at www.ea-etics.com/publications-events/etics-forum-2021. The 6th European ETICS Forum 2022 is to take place on May 19 in Prague as a face-to-face congress.
Jacek Kulig, EAE Präsident
Ralf Pasker, EAE Managing Director
