ANDALUCÍA TRADE PROJECT. INNOVA-THERM
Sustainable and innovative self-levelling solutions designed to optimise thermal performance and energy efficiency in buildings.
About INNOVA-THERM
The INNOVA-THERM project, led by TESELA, aims to develop an advanced and sustainable solution to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. The research focuses on the design of a new range of self-levelling mortars with high thermal conductivity, intended primarily for underfloor heating systems.
The construction sector accounts for a significant proportion of global energy consumption and global greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, it generates a large amount of waste and requires vast quantities of raw materials. It is therefore necessary to research new building materials that will help reduce its environmental impact and improve the energy performance of buildings.
Underfloor heating systems offer an efficient alternative to other conventional heating and cooling systems, as they distribute heat evenly and operate at moderate temperatures. However, their performance depends largely on the properties of the mortar that surrounds the pipes or heating elements.
Main areas of research
The INNOVA-THERM project comprises the following areas of work:
- Carrying out a life-cycle analysis and a cost study.
- Selection of mineral raw materials, additives and industrial by-products with the potential for use in the manufacture of conductive mortars.
- Physicochemical, mineralogical, mechanical, thermal and environmental characterisation of the selected materials.
- Design and experimental formulation of different self-levelling mortar mixtures.
- Incorporation of additives and functional materials to improve thermal conductivity.
- Optimisation of formulations to achieve a minimum viable product with stable performance.
- Experimental validation of the materials and processes developed on a laboratory scale.
- Assessment of the thermal, mechanical and durability performance of the solutions developed.
TESELA’s role in the INNOVA-THERM project
TESELA will lead and carry out the project’s research activities, drawing on its expertise in the analysis, characterisation and development of construction materials.
The TESELA team will be responsible for selecting the raw materials, designing the formulations, producing the experimental samples and evaluating their properties. This work will enable the identification of the most suitable balance between thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, workability, durability, cost and environmental impact.
Furthermore, a comparison will be carried out between the materials developed and existing solutions on the market. This assessment will enable the technical, economic and environmental advantages of the new self-levelling mortars to be determined. The incorporation of recycled raw materials and cements with a lower environmental footprint aims to maintain adequate mechanical and thermal performance for use in construction solutions.
Duration, budget and funding
The INNOVA-THERM project will run from 15 November 2025 to 15 November 2026, with a total duration of 12 months. The project has a total budget of €100,653.27 and falls under the grant scheme for Industrial Research and Experimental Development Projects, governed by Decree 114/2024 of the Regional Government of Andalusia.
Project funded by the Regional Government of Andalusia through the Business Agency for Transformation and Economic Development (Andalucía TRADE) and co-financed by the European Union under the Andalusia ERDF Programme 2021–2027.