Uponor technology to cool one of Europe's largest shopping centres

Uponor Corporation
Press release				
8 Dec. 2008

Uponor technology to cool one of Europe's largest shopping centres
 
One of Europe's largest shopping centres, the Dolce Vita Tejo in Portugal, will
utilise Uponor's underfloor radiant cooling technology. The 423,000
square-metre shopping centre, to be completed in the vicinity of Lisbon in May
2009, will house 300 shops and 9,000 parking spaces. 

The Dolce Vita Tejo, designed for both shopping and social interaction and
leisure activities, will comply with the latest European shopping centre
trends. For instance, a theme park for children will be built adjacent to the
centre. 

The constructor of Dolce Vita Tejo, the Spanish real estate development company
Chamartin Inmobiliaria, is investing in solutions complying with sustainable
development principles, influencing energy efficiency and the consumption of
primary energy in particular, both via architectural and technical solutions. 

The shopping centre will utilise natural light actively: the roof of the
building will be constructed of material that filters the sun's ultraviolet
light, but retains the sun's brightness, enabling the reduction of
electricity-consuming illumination. For instance, the bubble-shaped swimming
stadium of the Beijing Olympics was made of the same material. 

The warming effects of solar light will be compensated for using Uponor's
underfloor radiant cooling. In a vast space, indoor climate would normally be
difficult to manage with a traditional air-conditioning system. However, since
the cooling radiates via the floor, pleasant temperatures can be maintained in
the very space where people move, i.e. up to a height of approximately 2.5
metres. The floor temperature will remain at approximately 19-20 degrees
Celsius at all times. Uponor's underfloor cooling system will help achieve
considerable savings in energy consumption. 

Uponor developed radiant cooling in mid-1990s, and introduced it first to the
German market. There has been a growing interest towards this new energy-saving
technology all over the world. One of Uponor's best known references is the
international airport in Bangkok. 

***
Picture related to the release is available at Uponor's webpage, www.uponor.com
- News and publications - Press. 


For further information on radiant cooling, please contact: 
Ilari Aho, Vice President, Indoor Climate, Tel +358 20 129 2883 or
ilari.aho@uponor.com. 



Uponor is a leading supplier of plumbing and heating systems for the
residential and commercial building markets across Europe and North America and
a market leader in municipal infrastructure pipe systems in the Nordic
countries. Uponor's key applications include indoor climate and plumbing
systems. The Group employs 4,200 persons in 27 countries. In 2007, Uponor's net
sales (pro forma) totalled 1,050 million euros, returning an operating profit
of 12.9%. Uponor Corporation is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.,
Finland.  www.uponor.com. 

See also:  www.chamartin.eu, www.dolcevita.pt