"Our wallpaper can replace an entire conventional heating system," says Röseler. An in-house quality control has shown that only 1,600 kilowatt hours of electricity are needed to heat all the rooms in a 77 square metre flat all year round. The output of around 200 watts per square metre is achieved by passing electricity with a voltage of 24 to 48 volts through an electrically conductive layer of the wallpaper. A special ink ensures that the graphite is spread all over the layer of wallpaper. The liquid graphite is printed onto the back of the wallpaper using an inkjet printer. "The surface of the wallpaper heats up to about 38 degrees. It's not uncomfortable even if you are sitting right beside it," said Röseler. Thanks to the low voltage and effective insulation, there is no risk of electrocution. The user can also drill through the wallpaper to hang up hooks for pictures or paintings without damaging its conductive function.
The mpo-tec start-up in Ludwigslust has come up with climate-friendly electric wallpaper as an alternative to oil and gas heating systems. Almost 75 per cent of all German households still use conventional heating systems, a survey by the German Association of Energy and Water Industries has found. The founder of mpo-tec, Hennes Röseler, and his father, have come up with thin, electric wallpaper for heating and now aims to grow the number of its production plants in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region.
Electric wallpaper to replace conventional heating system
Growing demand
Interest in the electric wallpaper is growing steadily and the company is receiving enquiries from private customers as well as entire hotel complexes. The electric wallpaper can be hung up easily and costs less than conventional radiators. All of these factors are contributing to its growing popularity. A starter set of 30 rolls of wallpapers for 100 square metres of space costs around EUR 13,500. Three inkjet printers are used at present. The company now aims to ramp up production and is considering a building in Ludwigslust. "New equipment would allow us to produce up to 35,000 square metres of heated wallpaper per hour," said Röseler, and the Hamburg Metropolitan Region holds great opportunities for growth. Röseler also hopes to received a German government subsidy for the wallpapers similar to heating pumps in the near future. "I'm optimistic that this step could work out this year," he added.
Start-up celebrating initial success
Although the electric wallpaper has yet to be patented, it has already impressed many energy consultants. And mpo-tec was presented with the "Federal Prize for Outstanding Innovative Achievements for the Crafts Sector" by the Ministry of Economics during the International Crafts Fair in Munich last year. The company now hopes to receive a German government grant this year
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