Section ECONOMY
TOPIC Initiatives on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

ELVALHALCOR
TALOS®XS high strength copper-iron alloy tubes

Active participation in the global effort for a cleaner and greener environment, through technological innovations in the cooling, heating and air conditioning market.


Manufacturers and installers of environmentally friendly cooling, heating and air conditioning systems.
 

The research and development processes of the product started in 2017, while it was made available on the market in 2018.

TALOS®XS tubes are made of a special high strength copper-iron alloy and are designed for systems that use carbon dioxide (CO2) as a cooling fluid.

CO2 as a refrigerant is one of the most environmentally sustainable options and unlike chemical refrigerants, it is not subject to restrictions and/or repeal provisions in European legislation¹. It is natural, non-toxic and non-flammable. It has zero effect on the ozone layer and the minimum effect on the greenhouse effect as a refrigerant with GWP²=1 (indicatively the widely used refrigerant R404 has GWP=3922).

CO2 systems require extremely high operating pressures and temperatures compared to conventional refrigerants, a fact that creates technological challenges at all stages of design and construction. TALOS®XS pipes, with a unique combination of strength and processability, enable system builders to overcome new challenges, facilitating Europe's smooth transition to the age of natural refrigerants.

¹ F-gas Regulation, MAC Directive

² GWP: Global Warming Potential

For the design of the product, a collaboration was carried out with ELKEME Hellenic Metal Research Center S.A. (www.elkeme.gr). ELKEME (founded in 1999) supports the domestic metallurgical industry and focuses on applied technological research in the four main branches of metals (aluminum, copper, steel and zinc).


In the design, development and production phase of TALOS®XS, specialized executives and teams of employees participated from all departments of ElvalHalcor's pipe sector, such as the Technology, R&D&I, Production, Sales, Marketing, Quality and Environment departments.
 

TALOS®XS was developed and produced at the facilities of ElvalHalcor's copper pipe sector in Inofyta in Viotia and is available for sale on the European market.

The TALOS®XS product is an important tool for manufacturers to turn the European market towards more efficient and environmentally friendly systems.

  • Due to the special alloy, material savings of up to 30% are achieved for specific pressure resistance conditions.
  • In Europe, installations of CO2 systems have increased by 80% in the last two years, across a wide range of applications, with further growth expected in the coming years. For example, over ten thousand CO2 systems have been installed in supermarkets in the last two years in Europe. The new CO2 systems lead to energy savings of 5% to 30% depending on the type of system and the geographical area of application. A significant part of these systems have TALOS®XS pipes.

The benefits that arise for the Company itself are:

  • Satisfying customers who seek and implement long-term solutions to the planet's environmental problem in accordance with European legislation¹. Recognition and strengthening of the Company's image as a pioneer and one of the leaders in its sector thanks to its participation in the global effort for a better environment and a greener development model.
  • Increase in sales volumes in the last 4 years over 200%.
  • Strengthening effective cooperation between different departments of the Company for the development of a good practice of sustainable development.

Additional benefits for the Company from the production and marketing of TALOS®XS are:

  • the expansion of the product range of the copper pipe sector.
  • the Company's entry into new demanding markets.
  • the corporate contribution to the national and European market by producing and selling products that contribute to sustainable development.