Many residential buildings were built before 1980 – at a time when energy was regarded as an expense factor that could be neglected. This situation has changed radically, as energy prices have increased substantially. The challenge today is to consume less energy and to use the energy available in a more conscientious and intelligent way. The highest savings potential can be found in the modernization of buildings, as older buildings require about three times more energy than new housing. In private households, approximately 75% of the energy used is necessary for heating. The highest heat loss from buildings occurs at the exterior walls and ceilings. This prompted ECKART to develop IReflex pigment, which when incorporated into simple wall paints, offers a way of improving the energy efficiency of buildings.
Aluminium shows the highest heat-reflection properties compared with other metals. IReflex uses this salient characteristic of aluminium pigments to achieve a maximum IR reflection. IReflex is environmentally friendly, as it is free of solvents and water pollutants (it complies with the requirements of the Ecolabel). It is available as a powder or a ready-to-use pigment concentrate (Table 1), and is simply stirred into transparent interior wall paints. For the highest protection possible of the stabilizing layer of the pigment, IReflex should be added to the paint carefully and at low shear forces. Strong shear forces can damage the pigment and result in an impairment of the effect. The desired color shade can be obtained by adding organic color pigments (Figure 1). The IR reflection behavior is not impaired by tinting colors. The paint can then be applied with all usual application methods. IReflex can be used in many applications, especially interior wall paints, but can also be used in wood coatings, facade paints, coil coating, etc.