New developments and the application of autoclaved aerated concrete and mineral-based insulating materials in domestic and commercial construction ― today and in the future

摘要

After the company Haniel Bau-lndustrie had taken over Fels Werke GmbH and Ytong Holding AG in 2002, the new company Xella Baustoffe GmbH was presented for the first time at the Munich construction trade fair in January 2003. Xella Baustoffe GmbH is a 100% affiliated firm of Haniel Bau-lndustrie and combines the sectors sand-lime brick, dry wall construction, construction systems and the autoclaved aerated concrete business activities of the former Hebel and Ytong group. Looking back on the market development over recent decades, particularly for masonry stones, autoclaved aerated concrete and associated applications developed very positively overall and was able to expand its market position continuously. Since the political and technical discussion over recent years focussed increasingly on "energy-saving construction", one of the main areas for development was the optimization of stone formats (perforated stones) and recipes with the aim of minimizing the thermal conductivity of building materials. Strong competition developed, particularly between the brick and autoclaved aerated concrete industry. It appears that material-specific improvement options for classic masonry products have already largely been exhausted as part of this development.