26.02.2018
Vision
Modern Light and Energy Management in Sun Protection
With innovative solutions, erfal addresses the demands for energy-efficient and comfortable building utilization. Our long-term goal is the continuous development of automated control systems that enhance user comfort. A central element of our product strategy is to establish motorized operation as a functional standard for interior sun protection systems. In doing so, we aim for a targeted selection of components and materials, support resource-efficient production processes, and implement active energy management within our operating facilities.
Automation
TODAY | Technical Networking in Buildings
Modern buildings require flexible solutions for comfort, energy efficiency, and security. The integration of various building automation components is becoming increasingly important. In addition to sun protection, lighting, climate control, heating, and security systems can be interconnected and controlled via shared interfaces. All interior sun protection products from erfal can be motorized and connected to a KNX control system using appropriate interfaces. The scope of delivery includes various actuators as well as centralized control units. With the Shade Centre system, which offers up to eight sectors and automatic solar tracking, a universally applicable solution is available. KNX certification ensures cross-manufacturer interoperability and communication between devices in various applications.
VISION | Intelligent System Control
Our development activities focus on future-proof, automated systems that use software-based algorithms to recognize recurring usage patterns and optimize control processes based on data analysis.
Energy Saving
TODAY | Thermal Room Regulation and Savings Potential
Interior sun protection, such as honeycomb or cell pleats, supports decorative interior design and contributes to energy optimization. When used professionally and depending on factors such as building type, glazing, and user behavior, heating costs can be reduced by up to 10 percent (Basis: [Insert reference to study/calculation, e.g., ITRS study / DIN V 18599]). In summer, specialized sun protection products reduce solar heat gain, thereby lowering the energy demand of air conditioning systems. In winter, suitable fabrics offer a dual effect: during the day, they provide glare protection while allowing solar radiation to be used as a natural heat source. At night, closed systems—particularly honeycomb pleats with their air pockets—reduce heat loss through window areas. Automated controls move the sun protection according to light levels to optimize the room's thermal load.
VISION | Sector-Coupled Energy Management
In integrated building planning, automated sun protection systems will align even more precisely with the sun's position and indoor temperature in the future. This daylight-dependent control aims to further reduce the energy required for artificial lighting and lower the CO2 emissions of building operations. By linking information technology with temperature sensors, heating, and lighting controls, the overall energy balance is optimized. A research approach for the future also includes decentralized energy generation directly at the window through the integration of photovoltaic elements into the fabric structure, allowing the drive motor to be powered autonomously.
Smart Home
TODAY | Automated and User-Independent Control Modern motors and automatic control systems ensure the reliable operation of sun protection systems.
Sensors react to environmental influences such as light intensity, wind speed, temperature, and precipitation to control the systems as needed and regulate the indoor climate even when users are absent. Remote operation is possible at any time and location via mobile devices. Integration into common smart home systems such as Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Home is also feasible. The bidirectional motor software used by erfal provides feedback on the current fabric position and displays maintenance intervals and operating cycles.
VISION | Predictive Maintenance and Monitoring
The goal of future system generations is comprehensive digital monitoring of sun protection systems in order to plan maintenance cycles proactively (Predictive Maintenance), calculate the remaining useful life of components, and continuously adapt operating scenarios to user behavior.
Sustainability
TODAY | Contribution to Building Certifications and Material Selection
Sun protection fabrics with specific environmental properties can be positively considered within building certification frameworks according to DGNB, BREEAM, and LEED. erfal specifically uses materials with recycled content for selected product lines. For certain qualities, post-consumer PET bottles are reused (up to 6 PET bottles per square meter of fabric), thereby reducing the use of primary crude-oil-based polyester for yarn production. The erfal roller blind catalog contains four specifically curated fabric qualities in a total of 20 colors in a separate collection card. These fabrics hold a Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze certification (Certificate No. XY). They have a recycled content of at least 65%, are technically 100% recyclable, and meet the flame-retardancy requirements according to DIN 4102 B1 for commercial projects.
VISION | Expansion of Sustainable Supply Chains
Our defined objective according to the sustainability program [Optional: Insert name of internal program / year] is to continuously increase the proportion of environmentally friendly and circular textiles in our collections. To achieve this, we work closely with our pre-suppliers to intensify the procurement of recycled materials and systematically reduce the ecological footprint of our supply chain.
Acoustics
TODAY | Room Acoustic Optimization
The acoustic effectiveness of textiles is gaining importance in product development. Acoustically optimized fabrics are a functional component of modern interior architecture, especially in rooms with high reverberation (e.g., open-plan offices). The erfal sun protection collections include more than 10 fabrics with verified sound-absorbing properties. Through specific weave structures and surfaces, a sound absorption coefficient (\[\alpha _{w}\]) of up to 60% is achieved, reaching absorber class C. In addition, honeycomb pleats support the reduction of reverberation within the room due to their cellular structure. Optimized room acoustics are proven to help reduce stress levels and improve the ability to concentrate in the workplace.
VISION | Holistic Acoustic Room Concepts
In the future, erfal aims to expand into a provider of systemic acoustic solutions that extend beyond classic sun protection at the window to include advanced textile-based room acoustic concepts.