VIPA International elects Vaku Isotherm CEO Sebastian Baars as new President

On 17 September, VIPA Intl elected Sebastian Baars, CEO of Vaku Isotherm, as its new President at its annual General Assembly. He replaces Gregor Erbenich of Porextherm Dämmstoffe, who had been VIPA Intl President since 2016.

Mr Baars, who was Vice-President of VIPA Intl from 2018-19, said: “I feel very honoured to be voted as the next President of VIPA Intl and thank the members for placing their trust in me. I look forward to working with you and, as a team, we can make VIPA Intl more effective and attractive.

“Finally, I would like to extend a big thank you to Gregor for his great efforts over the past years.”

The General Assembly, which was held virtually for the first time because of the COVID-19 pandemic, also elected the Board, approved the accounts, received a report of the association’s activities from the Secretariat, as outlined in the Annual Report, and formally welcomed Kevothermal as a new member.

Over the past year, VIPA Intl has been working through its Technical and Digital Communications Working Groups to carry out technical studies of VIPs, advance the standardisation process and raise awareness of VIPs, especially among architects.

Significantly this year, the CEN Standard on Thermal insulation products for buildings – Factory made Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIP) – Specification (prEN-17140) was finally approved in July and will be published in October, and a new ballot on the ISO standard on Thermal insulation products, components and systems (ISO/DIS 16478) is expected soon. VIPA Intl has been advocating for standardisation over the course of many years and these standards can be key tools to accelerate market acceptance of VIPs.

Outgoing President, Gregor Erbenich, said: “I would like to thank the VIPA Intl Office and all the colleagues and members for driving the association forward and helping achieve our goals. I think we have achieved and done a lot of things, particularly in raising awareness of VIPs.

“There are still some challenges ahead, but also opportunities, especially in the role our industry can play in decarbonisation. I wish the new President all the best of luck in leading the association and managing the challenges ahead.”