1. Silicon technology maximises
energy efficiency at new
Dow Corning facility
Case Study: Dow Corning Solar Energy Exploration
and Development Center
The Project
• Located at their European Headquarters in Seneffe, Dow Corning’s new $13 million
Solar Energy Exploration and Development Center (SEED) has been constructed to
expand the company’s ability to innovate with a broad range of European customers
and accelerate advance applied and fundamental research in solar cell development and
AV19159
novel silicon-based materials
• Many of Dow Corning’s cutting edge silicon-based technologies are showcased on the
SEED building, which is expected to achieve a true low K-value (20) energy efficiency.
These technologies have enabled sustainable design elements such as structural
glazing, weather sealing, triple glazing, high performance insulation, solar panels and
building integrated photovoltaics.
• This focus on sustainability is having an impact on the facilities environmental footprint
with heating and electricity costs anticipated to be reduced due in part to silicone
technologies which have enabled energy efficient solutions
• This case study examines the function and effect of Dow Corning® Vacuum Insulation
Panels which were installed within the ventilated rainscreen facade of this state-of-the-
art structure
The Challenge
The external facade design incorporates a combination of structural glazing and
rainscreen cladding to give the building a smart visual appearance and excellent
AV18014
functionality. During the early project stages, engineering consultant Wintech Ltd
were commissioned to produce thermal calculation studies from designs submitted by
City ventilated rain screen facade contractor, Hunter Douglas, using their QuadroClad™
Seneffe
rainscreen facade system. These studies analysed the performance of the complete
Country system which included Dow Corning Vacuum Insulation Panels, simulating the estimated
Belgium overall heat loss and calculating the average U value for the wall construction. One
Products particular area of concern raised by these studies was related to the insulation properties
Dow Corning® of the aluminium fixings, which would cause a thermal bridge and could potentially
Vacuum Insulation Panel detract from achieving the lowest possible K value for the building.
Client
Dow Corning
A further requirement was the easy and efficient installation of the Vacuum Insulation
Panels in the overall facade assembly process on site.
Architect
Group IPS
Ventilated Rain Screen Facade The Solution
Contractor
Hunter Douglas The thermal calculation studies confirmed that Vacuum Insulation Panels of 40mm in
Curtain Wall Contractor depth would provide the insulation required to meet the architect’s goals for overall
Groven + NV energy efficiency of the ventilated facade.
Facade Engineering Consultant
Wintech Ltd The internal elements of the rainscreen system were assembled in factory conditions.
A back panel of 25mm deep mineral wool and a frame of mineral wool were initially
assembled with the Vacuum Insulation Panels bonded onto the mineral board. A thin
aluminium sheet was then placed directly on top of the Vacuum Insulation Panels. The
mineral wool backing eliminated any possibility of puncture of the Vacuum Insulation

2. Your Dow Corning Sites:
EUROPEAN AREA HEADQUARTERS
Dow Corning Europe S.A.
Parc Industriel Zone C
Rue Jules Bordet
B-7180 Seneffe, Belgium
Tel : +32 64 88 80 00
Fax : +32 64 88 84 01
Dow Corning GmbH
Rheingaustraße, 34
D-65201 Wiesbaden, Germany
Tel: +49 611 23 71
Fax: +49 611 237 601
Your Dow Corning Construction contact details:
Toll Free Numbers: AV17520
From Belgium 0800 80 522
From France 0805 54 04 39 Installation of the QuadroClad™ rainscreen facade system
From Germany 0800 52 50 258
From Italy 800 92 83 30
From Spain 900 813161 Panels and also accommodated any tolerances in the concrete wall. The assemblies were
From United Kingdom 0800 91 72 071 transported to site and attached using a standard installation method of clips and rings.
The external aluminium cladding panels were then installed on cladding rails which were
All other countries:
For English +32 64 51 11 59 directly affixed to the concrete skin of the building.
For French +32 64 51 11 59
For German +49 611 237503 Thanks to their slimline construction, the use of Dow Corning’s Vacuum Insulation
For Italian +32 64 51 11 73
For Spanish +32 64 51 11 66
Panels reduced the required mineral wool insulation panel thickness from 240mm to
For Russian +7 495 725 43 19 40mm. The standard aluminium fixings were replaced with stainless steel bracketry
Fax number from all countries: +32 64 88 86 86
to avoid thermal bridges which would have negatively affected the overall K value.
This issue was highlighted during the thermal calculations and would have also been a
Your Dow Corning contact details (e-mails) : problem had a standard 240mm mineral wool configuration been adopted.
Technical inquiries: eutech.info@dowcorning.com
Marketing: construction.marketing@dowcorning.com Dow Corning worked in co-operation with the design and construction team at all stages
Quality Bond : qualitybond@dowcorning.com
EHS inquiries : europe.ehs@dowcorning.com on this important milestone project. In particular the correct management and handling
Reach inquiries: reachsupport@dowcorning.com of the Vacuum Insulation Panels whilst in the factory and on site was imperative to avoid
Visit us on: dowcorning.com/construction damage which could cause loss of integrity and vacuum. Dow Corning worked in close
partnership with Hunter Douglas and installer ERDO to ensure that full training was
provided to operatives.
TURKEY
DOW CORNİNG KİMYA SANAYİ
The SEED complex is an outstanding showcase for many Dow Corning technologies,
VE TİCARET LİMİTED ŞİRKETİ which make the center more environmentally conscious. Patrick De Graeve, Managing
Halk Sokak Pakpen Plaza No: 44 Kat:9-10 Project Engineer at Group IPS, the architects who designed the SEED commented ‘We
34734 Kozyatağı / İstanbul, Türkiye have used and prototyped many of Dow Corning’s innovations and novel applications,
Tel: +90 216 4677645
Fax: +90 216 4673909 pushed the limits of technical possibilities in optimizing energy use for a laboratory
facility, and by doing so we answered to the sustainability demands of new construction
RUSSIAN FEDERATION standards’.
Dow Corning Representation Office
17/23 Taganskaya Street
Moscow 109147, Russia
Tel: +7 495 783 6648 Dow Corning Vacuum Insulation Panel (developmental product)
Fax: +7 495 783 6652
POLAND – CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE Dow Corning’s recent breakthrough Vacuum Insulation Panel technology provides
Dow Corning Polska Sp.z o.o high efficiency insulation featuring five to ten times lower thermal conductivity than
15 Marynarska Street conventional insulation materials. With its increased thermal resistance, Vacuum
02 - 674 Warszawa, Poland
Tel: +48 22 36 04 100 Insulation Panels make it possible to create slim wall construction with high R-value
Fax: +48 22 36 04 114 performance, enabling new design opportunities for zero energy buildings.
GREATER GULF COUNTRIES
Dow Corning Representation Office
Meral Building
Office Numbers 61,62 & 63
Building No.2572, Road No.2833, Block No.428
Seef District
Kingdom of Bahrain
Office Reception +973 17 562686
Office Fax +973 17 582052
Printed in Germany
on FSC-Certified Paper.
Dow Corning is a registered trademark of Dow Corning Corporation.
We help you invent the future is a trademark of Dow Corning Corporation.
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Form Number: 62-1694-01
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invent the future™
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