Greek technology SME producing nano-based protective coatings for building envelope refurbishment and concrete heritage conservation.
Nanophos is a Greek technology SME that develops and commercializes nano-based surface protection products — waterproofing agents, consolidants, and functional coatings — primarily for the construction and built heritage sectors. Their commercial value lies in translating nanotechnology into market-ready protective treatments that can be applied to facades, envelopes, and concrete structures. In EU research consortia, they contribute validated industrial materials and product application expertise, serving as the bridge between laboratory research and construction-site reality. Their participation in both building performance and cultural heritage projects suggests a product range broad enough to address both new-build refurbishment and historical preservation challenges.
Both BRESAER and InnovaConcrete relied on specialist coating and surface treatment materials, which aligns directly with Nanophos's commercial product focus on nano-based protective treatments for construction substrates.
BRESAER (2015–2019) specifically targeted adaptable building envelopes for energy-efficient refurbishment, where Nanophos contributed surface material expertise.
InnovaConcrete (2018–2021) focused on innovative materials for conserving 20th-century concrete cultural heritage, extending Nanophos's coating expertise into the restoration market.
BRESAER's emphasis on energy efficiency buildings envelope directly tied material performance to thermal and moisture management outcomes in the built environment.
Nanophos entered H2020 funding through BRESAER (2015), where their work was tightly focused on energy performance — specifically the role of surface materials in improving building envelope efficiency. Their second project, InnovaConcrete (2018), marks a deliberate expansion into cultural heritage conservation, applying the same nano-coating expertise to the very different challenge of preserving aged concrete structures. The shift from energy efficiency to heritage conservation is not a break in technical identity — coatings and surface treatments remain central — but it signals a broadening of application markets and client types.
Nanophos appears to be deliberately expanding its market from new-build energy performance into the growing cultural heritage conservation sector, which benefits from EU structural and cultural funding streams independent of energy policy cycles.
Nanophos has never coordinated an H2020 project, always joining as a participating partner — a pattern consistent with a commercial SME that contributes specific products rather than driving research agendas. Both their projects were large RIA consortia, meaning they are experienced working within broad, multi-institutional teams where their role is well-defined and technical rather than managerial. For a prospective consortium builder, they represent a reliable specialist contributor who brings industrial materials credibility without competing for project leadership.
Across just two projects, Nanophos has connected with 51 unique consortium partners in 14 countries — a unusually wide network for such a small project portfolio, reflecting participation in large pan-European RIA consortia. Their geographic exposure spans most of the EU, though their Greek base likely anchors strong ties to Southern European construction and heritage sectors.
Nanophos occupies a rare position as a Greek industrial SME that can credibly connect nanotechnology R&D to commercial construction products — something most universities and research institutes in this space cannot offer. Their dual track record in both energy performance and heritage conservation makes them a versatile materials partner for consortia that span these domains. For a consortium coordinator, they offer what matters most from an industrial partner: a real product, a real market, and a commercial route for research outputs to reach end users.
