VA-Q-TEC AG

Their core work

VA-Q-TEC AG is a German manufacturer specializing in vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) and advanced thermal insulation solutions. Their core business centers on developing high-performance insulating materials that dramatically reduce heat transfer, with applications spanning building energy efficiency and thermal packaging. In H2020, they contributed their industrial VIP manufacturing expertise to projects targeting near-zero energy buildings and next-generation nanostructured insulation foams. They bridge the gap between materials science research and commercially viable insulation products.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

VA-Q-TEC's H2020 participation spans 2016–2021, a relatively compact window. Their earliest project (INNOVIP, 2016) focused on improving existing vacuum insulation panel designs for the building sector, while their coordinated MSCA project (THEcore, 2017) pushed into next-generation nanostructured foam cores — signaling a move from product application toward fundamental materials innovation. Their latest project (ReCO2ST, 2018) returned to the application side, embedding VIP technology into whole-building retrofit platforms targeting near-zero emissions.

VA-Q-TEC appears to be moving from component-level VIP manufacturing toward integration into complete building energy retrofit solutions, which positions them well for the EU renovation wave agenda.

How they like to work

VA-Q-TEC primarily joins consortia as an industrial partner (2 of 3 projects), contributing manufacturing know-how and product development capacity. They coordinated one MSCA fellowship (THEcore), suggesting they also host researchers to advance their core technology. With 31 unique partners across 13 countries from just 3 projects, they engage in large, diverse consortia rather than tight bilateral partnerships — typical of a company that supplies a specific technology component to broader building-sector initiatives.

Despite only 3 projects, VA-Q-TEC has built a wide network of 31 partners across 13 European countries, reflecting their participation in large Innovation Action consortia in the building energy sector. Their German base and focus on EU building standards gives them strong Central and Western European connections.

What sets them apart

VA-Q-TEC is one of very few European companies with industrial-scale vacuum insulation panel manufacturing capability, making them a go-to partner for any consortium needing real VIP products rather than lab prototypes. Their combination of manufacturing capacity and willingness to invest in fundamental materials research (as shown by hosting an MSCA fellow for nanostructured foams) is unusual for an industrial partner. For anyone building a consortium around building energy efficiency or advanced insulation, they bring both the science and the factory floor.

Highlights from their portfolio

• INNOVIP
  Largest EC contribution (€472,675) and focused on multi-functional VIPs for buildings — directly aligned with VA-Q-TEC's core commercial product line.
• THEcore
  VA-Q-TEC's only coordinator role, an MSCA fellowship exploring nanostructured foams — shows investment in next-generation insulation materials beyond their current products.
• ReCO2ST
  Positioned VA-Q-TEC's VIP technology within a full residential retrofit platform, demonstrating system-level integration capability beyond component supply.