Apr 29 2010
A unique facade and roofing sheet that reduces the need for artificial indoor cooling in hot climates by up to 15 percent covers the Swedish pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai. The product, Prelaq Energy from the steelmaker SSAB, is an energy-saving steel that can dissipate heat from solar radiation.
Body The roof of the Swedish pavilion is in a clear yellow color and the external walls are clad in white, perforated Prelaq Energy plates. The perforations in the plates form a street map of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. But the plates are not only for decoration. Prelaq Energy has qualities which contribute to reducing energy consumption in buildings by up to 15 percent. The secret lies in the sheet's organic coating mixtures and pigments which are able to regulate inward heat radiation and contribute to a comfortable indoor climate.
"This high-tech steel from SSAB contributes to saving energy for cooling and ventilation, and thereby leads to a reduced impact on the environment," says SSAB APAC President Martin Pei. It also connects to the overall theme of the Expo - Better Cities, Better Life, and to China's commitment to creating a more sustainable future.
The Swedish pavilion reflects the interplay between city and nature. Nature has also been a source of inspiration in the development of Prelaq Energy. The qualities of the material can be compared with leaves on trees which act as a heat transfer medium in times of strong solar radiation.
An estimated total of 100 million visitors are expected to visit the World Expo from May 1st to October 31st. Shanghai is a city with temperatures reaching 40 °C (over 100 °F) in the summer and thus cooling is essential. This cool, environmentally friendly climate will be experienced by the visitors to the Swedish pavilion, thanks to Prelaq Energy.