AI Quick Summary
Call for Ideas #6:Circular Business Models for Interior Built-In SolutionsThe perfect shower:CO2 neutral shower base in combination with a heat recovery shower drain. 1. What problem would you like to solve?New buildings already require more energy for hot water than for complete room heating. And up to 80% of this hot water is used for showers, but only for 2 seconds! What a waste of energy. This unsatisfactory situation did not leave us in peace, so in 2010 we founded the company Joulia ltd. in Biel, which is dedicated to the topic of shower water heat recovery.After a long period of development, we are very proud of a portfolio of different shower drain channels with integrated heat recovery, which recover up to 50% of the heat that would otherwise be lost.With the CBI Booster we now go one important step further: As we discovered, the shower place around our drain is not very sustainable. Either energy intensive materials like enameled steel or ceramic tiles glued onto extra layers of waterproofing are state of the art, or only partially recyclable plastic shower surfaces are used to define the wet zone (Currently, a maximum of 15-30% recyclate is added to the so called “ECO line products”. As we are convinced that there must be materials suitable for our application, we would like to do research about materials and define the next steps for a prototype. As a first step, the focus should be on a combination with a shower surface that is as ideal as possible: Aspects such as durability (20-30 years in use under wet conditions, low water absorption, high chemical resistance, anti-slip characteristic, non-porous, easy of maintenance and a simple repairability are on our wish list.https://www.varicor.com/de/blog/2024-april/gesicherte-nachhaltigkeit.htmlhttps://www.senoplast.com/de/Nachhaltigkeithttps://www.kaldewei.de/presse/mitteilungen/detail/news/kaldewei-steigert-nachhaltigkeit-im-luxurioesen-baddesign-mit-neuem-bluemintr-steel-von-thyssenkrupp/https://www.my-bette.com/ueber-uns/presse/meilenstein-gruener-stahl2. Who will benefit from the solution and how?For all planners and building owners that are interested in an energy efficient and consistent shower solution!3. Who are the existing persons/companies in your team and what is their role?Reto Schmid, CEO Joulia SA, Biel-Bienne > Project ownerBen Nott, CEO Humanitas Living LAB powered by Blanco AD > Implementation partnerSUPSI, Istituto sostenibilità applicata all'ambiente costruito (ISAAC)Environmental specialists within the network of SUPSIPotential Manufacturers of the new perfect material like SaintGobain (initial confirmation available), SIKA, ENGA, WOODIO etc.4. How does your challenge have a positive impact on the planet (e.g. material reduction, CO2 emission reduction)?In addition to substituting very energy-intensive or non-recyclable materials, by integrating heat recovery into a high-quality shower surface, we also ensure greater acceptance in the sustainable building sector, as in the timber construction sector, a watertight solution is often in demand.5. Has your idea been tested before?The linear shower drains with heat recovery are installed over 12’000 times. And we also already started some partnerships with mineral cast, steel enamel or acrylic shower tray manufacturers, which all suffer from the same problem, being not very sustainable and not circular. 6. What are you planning on working on throughout the booster (e.g., developing the business model, building an initial prototype, material for prototyping, etc.)? What will you deliver at the end of the booster?Depending on our research we strive for a proof of concept. With 3d construction designs, material samples and physical testing we would like to be prepared for a working prototype, that would be a next step.7. What are you expecting from the booster (e.g., looking for specific partners, expert support, etc.)?We would like to extend our network of shower tray manufacturers with sustainability and circular materials experts from the CBI, who have the knowledge to transform the existing industry with their expertise (4R&D, independent LCA study).8. How will you attract 3rd party funding (10% of the total funding amount)?Manpower for research & development at Joulia ltd.Manpower for project coordination at Humanitas Living LABCosts of heat exchanger for the PoC (proof of concept).
Project Idea Description
Call for Ideas #6:
Circular Business Models for Interior Built-In Solutions
The perfect shower:
CO2 neutral shower base in combination with a
heat recovery shower drain.
1. What problem would you like to solve?
New buildings already require more energy for hot water than for complete room heating. And up to 80% of this hot water is used for showers, but only for 2 seconds! What a waste of energy. This unsatisfactory situation did not leave us in peace, so in 2010 we founded the company Joulia ltd. in Biel, which is dedicated to the topic of shower water heat recovery.
After a long period of development, we are very proud of a portfolio of different shower drain channels with integrated heat recovery, which recover up to 50% of the heat that would otherwise be lost.
With the CBI Booster we now go one important step further: As we discovered, the shower place around our drain is not very sustainable. Either energy intensive materials like enameled steel or ceramic tiles glued onto extra layers of waterproofing are state of the art, or only partially recyclable plastic shower surfaces are used to define the wet zone (Currently, a maximum of 15-30% recyclate is added to the so called “ECO line products”. As we are convinced that there must be materials suitable for our application, we would like to do research about materials and define the next steps for a prototype. As a first step, the focus should be on a combination with a shower surface that is as ideal as possible: Aspects such as durability (20-30 years in use under wet conditions, low water absorption, high chemical resistance, anti-slip characteristic, non-porous, easy of maintenance and a simple repairability are on our wish list.
https://www.varicor.com/de/blog/2024-april/gesicherte-nachhaltigkeit.html
https://www.senoplast.com/de/Nachhaltigkeit
https://www.kaldewei.de/presse/mitteilungen/detail/news/kaldewei-steigert-nachhaltigkeit-im-luxurioesen-baddesign-mit-neuem-bluemintr-steel-von-thyssenkrupp/
https://www.my-bette.com/ueber-uns/presse/meilenstein-gruener-stahl
2. Who will benefit from the solution and how?
For all planners and building owners that are interested in an energy efficient and consistent shower solution!
3. Who are the existing persons/companies in your team and what is their role?
- Reto Schmid, CEO Joulia SA, Biel-Bienne > Project owner
- Ben Nott, CEO Humanitas Living LAB powered by Blanco AD > Implementation partner
- SUPSI, Istituto sostenibilità applicata all'ambiente costruito (ISAAC)
- Environmental specialists within the network of SUPSI
- Potential Manufacturers of the new perfect material like SaintGobain (initial confirmation available), SIKA, ENGA, WOODIO etc.
4. How does your challenge have a positive impact on the planet (e.g. material reduction, CO2 emission reduction)?
In addition to substituting very energy-intensive or non-recyclable materials, by integrating heat recovery into a high-quality shower surface, we also ensure greater acceptance in the sustainable building sector, as in the timber construction sector, a watertight solution is often in demand.
5. Has your idea been tested before?
The linear shower drains with heat recovery are installed over 12’000 times. And we also already started some partnerships with mineral cast, steel enamel or acrylic shower tray manufacturers, which all suffer from the same problem, being not very sustainable and not circular.
6. What are you planning on working on throughout the booster (e.g., developing the business model, building an initial prototype, material for prototyping, etc.)? What will you deliver at the end of the booster?
Depending on our research we strive for a proof of concept. With 3d construction designs, material samples and physical testing we would like to be prepared for a working prototype, that would be a next step.
7. What are you expecting from the booster (e.g., looking for specific partners, expert support, etc.)?
We would like to extend our network of shower tray manufacturers with sustainability and circular materials experts from the CBI, who have the knowledge to transform the existing industry with their expertise (4R&D, independent LCA study).
8. How will you attract 3rd party funding (10% of the total funding amount)?
- Manpower for research & development at Joulia ltd.
- Manpower for project coordination at Humanitas Living LAB
- Costs of heat exchanger for the PoC (proof of concept).