The Thermal Insulation Sector Should Focus on Efficiency in 2019

Insulation Plays a Critical Role in Every Respect

Austrotherm Group Business Development Director Özgür Kaan Alioğlu stated, "We consume 35 percent of our energy in residential buildings. More than 70 percent of the energy consumed in homes is used for heating and cooling purposes. In 2017, we spent approximately USD 37 billion on energy imports, and 35 percent of the energy we imported—approximately USD 13 billion—was used in residential buildings. It is anticipated that 2018 figures will be at similar percentages. Of the approximately 21 million residential buildings in Turkey, nearly 16 million still lack thermal insulation. The thermal insulation sector is vital in many respects. Both because consumers can achieve greater energy savings and create a positive impact on household economies, and because it reduces the amount of energy our country imports for heating and cooling in residential buildings. Additionally, by reducing our energy-related current account deficit and thereby decreasing our external dependence, it supports our National Security policies. Moreover, through reducing carbon gas emissions resulting from lower energy consumption, insulation should rank among the priority issues for our country in terms of environmental protection," he said.

Consumers Need Support for More Efficient Thermal Insulation

Stating that as an industry we conduct our work with the public sector, particularly under the leadership of our sectoral associations İZODER and EPSDER, Özgür Kaan Alioğlu noted, "In recent times, we have seen that consumers are facing difficulties in allocating resources for thermal insulation investments due to rising industrial production costs and declining purchasing power. At this point, our expectation is that the consumption of thermal insulation products, which are produced under various state support programs, should also be supported through necessary legislation changes and state incentives, thereby opening the way for consumers to use more efficient thermal insulation products.

The Thicker the Thermal Insulation Board, the Greater the Energy Savings

Alioğlu said, "We believe that Turkey's current economic situation is a short-term, temporary phase. We have full confidence in Turkey. Therefore, as Austrotherm, we plan to continue our investments in Turkey without interruption. In 2019, we will focus on what we call Thermal Insulation as a National Gain, emphasizing efficient thermal insulation and explaining the benefits that thicker thermal insulation offers.