PROJECTS

The Inovwall project aims to develop and demonstrate an innovating production technology meant for creating a new multifunctional modular petrous wall system (Presstone). This project, which derives from several successfully finalized R&D activities focused on modular petrous wall systems (e.g. the Presstone system), proposes to investigate and develop all the necessary requirements, from the design and production to the in situ real application of the modular petrous wall system, verifying the competitive advantages in the following fields: architecture, functional design, sustainability, eco-efficiency and technological innovation using natural materials; ultimately validating its use in the construction market from the technological point of view, allowing the demonstration of a significant alteration of the current paradigm that is construction using natural stone.

Inovwall project is originated from a solid base of scientific and technological knowledge developed between 2009 and 2011 (Presstone project), as well as a set of technical undertakings performed ever since. These allowed the creation of a model and the characterization of new functionalities when using natural stone (FunctionalStone project). This endeavor allows the achievement of the following objectives:

• proper characterization of the most fitting materials for use as support to the production of large dimension pre-stressed natural stone panels;
• adequate dimensioning of large dimension natural stone panels;
• verify the structural behavior of these panels so as to validate their potential use in the construction industry;
• optimizing the use of natural stone by combining it with other material, namely those that enhance its resistance and thermic and acoustic performance;
• find new solutions for the optimization of the current Presstone system in terms of the slab thickness and the use of low value and/or otherwise unused materials.

During the recent years it was also possible to validate the current market’s need for this type of solution by presenting the present prototype in architecture and construction fairs, scientific congresses and publications. With this divulgation procedure, the main innovating technical characteristics that this type of solution is able to provide the market were defined, and the necessary characteristics for integration of the Inovwall modular petrous wall system in the “new” eco-efficient construction were identified.

Hence, the present project meets the necessities as defined by the market, and will be completed through the undertaking of a set of activities which allow the development and validation of an integrated solution that envelops the following main strategic objectives:

• To design and demonstrate for the first time a structural wall using natural stone as an esthetic element combined with solutions that allow, among others, a thermic and acoustic comfort optimization according to all the existing regulations;
• To develop and demonstrate a technology with industrial characteristics that allows the production of these new modular walls and that has all the innovating characteristics of quality control with which it will be possible to overcome all the technical requirements of construction;
• To design a production system that is scalable in function of the dimension of the existing market (between 100.000 and 500.000 m2/year);
• To design and implement the technical specifications that allow the full characterization of the construction system so that it is possible to sell it in the global market immediately after the completion of the project
• To develop and demonstrate all the technical attributes of handling and fixating the Inovwall system, namely its integration with current construction elements, such as windows, doors and others frequently found on buildings’ facades;
• To allow the final evaluation of the differentiating characteristics of the in situ solution, though the application of the solution in a real situation, specially designed for the validation and demonstration of the modular petrous wall system;
• To develop a plan of marketing which is well articulates with the in situ presentation of the system, participation in fairs and scientific publications that increment on the technological credibility of the solution on a global scale.

The activities in this project are articulated among the partners that dependably represent the entire value chain associated with the future commercialization of this product line. All of them have internationally recognized experience on the technical and commercial levels, as well as in regard to research and development. The structured way in which this project is defined also allows for all of its partners to benefit directly from its results, for the sustainable increment on all of their growth strategies, as well as the technological evolution capability of the sector along with the factors it affects such as the increment in qualified employment, exports and possibility of new developments.