Press release
Polish technology company NanoSci, specialising in advanced air purification solutions, will provide an innovative system combining air purification with heat recovery for Skanska Residential Development Poland buildings. The system has been piloted at one of Skanska’s apartment sales offices in Kraków. According to the roadmap jointly adopted by both companies, the system is ultimately intended for use in residential developments.
NanoSci and Skanska Residential Development Poland are jointly developing a decentralised photocatalytic ventilation unit with heat recovery. The device acts like a built-in air exchange system, enabling effective ventilation. It alternately supplies outdoor air—purified from components such as smog gases—while removing excess carbon dioxide from the room. The decentralised photocatalytic unit noticeably improves air quality, which in Poland is still often heavily polluted with smog, and at the same time reduces heating costs and supports compliance with increasingly stringent environmental standards for building energy efficiency.
An innovative solution for residents and developers
Until now, decentralised heat recovery units have mostly been used in single-family homes in Poland and Europe. NanoSci and Skanska aim to adapt these devices—following a series of necessary tests—for use in multi-family buildings, opening up new opportunities for the developer’s clients.
The devices have been piloted at Skanska’s sales office in Kraków, where they will undergo several months of intensive testing. Feedback from users—Skanska’s own employees—will be collected and incorporated on an ongoing basis to optimise system performance. After the test period, a detailed report will summarise the system’s effectiveness. This analysis will inform further development of the technology, which is intended for future Skanska residential investments.
‘Using decentralised heat recovery units in Skanska’s multi-family buildings would benefit future residents above all. In addition to improving indoor air quality, NanoSci’s system also enables the optimisation and modernisation of ventilation systems, while reducing related costs,’ says Artur Łeszczyński, Business Development Director at Skanska Residential Development Poland.
User benefits
The NanoSci unit not only purifies indoor air from pollutants commonly found in Polish smog—such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), viruses, and bacteria—but also delivers significant energy savings. By recovering heat from exhaust air, rooms remain warm even during intensive ventilation.
‘Our collaboration with Skanska Residential Poland marks a breakthrough in the development of our technology. The pilot installation at Skanska’s Kraków sales office demonstrates how innovative solutions can meet the real needs of residents and developers. With our system, the estimated heat exchange efficiency can reach up to 90%. For example, with an indoor temperature of 20°C and outdoor temperature of 0°C, the supplied air can reach approximately 18°C. In today’s conditions, for a 60 m² apartment, this translates into annual savings of up to 800 PLN,’ explains Adam Kądziela, CEO of NanoSci.
‘We continue to raise the performance of energy-efficient solutions across Skanska’s residential projects. By reducing consumption of increasingly costly energy, we enhance our customers’ living comfort while minimising human impact on the climate—delivering on Skanska’s ambitious net zero carbon targets. Every new technology brings us closer to full climate neutrality, which we aim to achieve by 2045. That’s a short horizon in reality. We’re actively pursuing emerging technologies—including those not yet widely known. That’s why we encourage representatives of innovative solution providers to get in touch. We believe that through collaboration and synergy, we can transform the residential construction sector even more dynamically while growing our businesses together,’ adds Artur Łeszczyński of Skanska.
Advantages of the heat recovery unit
The system developed by NanoSci is distinguished by low operating costs and minimal maintenance requirements. While traditional purifiers require replacement of carbon or HEPA filters every few months, the NanoSci unit needs its key components—such as the LED-enhanced photocatalytic layer—replaced only about every five years. The decentralised heat recovery system operates via continuous communication between units and integrates various sensors, including those monitoring air quality and window opening.
Many city dwellers face elevated indoor concentrations of CO₂ and VOCs. According to the European Environment Agency, these pollutants—emitted by carpets, adhesives, wallpapers, cleaning agents, and other chemicals—can reach concentrations two to five times higher indoors than outside. At the same time, bringing in fresh, clean air is hindered by outdoor smog, exhaust fumes, and heat loss during airing.
‘Our heat recovery units solve these challenges by delivering purified air without the need to open windows. Not only do we improve residents’ quality of life, but we also help reduce the transmission of illnesses and support nighttime regeneration,’ adds Adam Kądziela.
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For more information on partnership opportunities, visit the page: “The future of residential construction”.