Saudi Government Agencies, Red Sea Global, and Zamil Group Trade and Services Company Report SPACECOOL Demonstration Results Achieving an Average Air Conditioning Energy Reduction of 29% in Portable Houses

Red Sea Global, the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, and Zamil Group Trade and Services Company, which is the trading arm of Zamil Group, an investment holding company based in Saudi Arabia, conducted a collaborative demonstration this summer using the natural cooling material “SPACECOOL”, developed and marketed by SPACECOOL INC. The results of this demonstration were announced by the Oil Sustainability Program (OSP)^(*1), a key initiative under the Saudi Green Initiative led by the Ministry of Energy.

The demonstration aimed to reduce air conditioning energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in portable houses. The findings revealed that incorporating SPACECOOL achieved an average reduction of approximately 29% in air conditioning energy consumption. Furthermore, it is estimated that this reduction translates to a decrease of about 21 tons of CO₂ emissions over 15 years. These promising results underscore the potential for expanding the use of SPACECOOL within Saudi Arabia.

A container house with SPACECOOL applied (right) and a container house without the application (left) (Excerpt from the OSP official movie)

The natural cooling material “SPACECOOL” is an innovative technology that contributes to carbon neutrality by utilizing the principles of natural cooling. It converts heat into infrared ray and emits it into space, enabling cooling below ambient air temperature without the need for energy input. The material has seen an increase in demonstration tests and real-world applications both domestically and internationally. In particular, the Middle East, which faces more severe heat challenges than Japan, has highlighted SPACECOOL as a key topic under the “Lighthouse Initiative” ^(*2)led by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy. This recognition underscores its potential as a climate technology that contributes to achieving carbon neutrality.

In this summer of this year, a demonstration project utilizing SPACECOOL was officially supported by the Saudi government, conducted by Red Sea Global and Zamil Group Trade and Services Company. The OSP announced that SPACECOOL demonstrated a reduction in air conditioning energy consumption by an average of approximately 29% and a CO₂reduction of approximately 21 tons over 15 years in occupied portable houses.

About the Joint Demonstration

Overview：	A comparative evaluation of two portable houses owned by Red Sea Global—one with SPACECOOL applied to the roof and walls, and the other without.
Dimensions：	12m (L) × 3.6m (W) × 3.7m (H)
Objective：	To assess improvements in air conditioning efficiency and reductions in CO2 emissions within portable houses.
Period：	July to September 2024

Demonstration Results

・In an occupied portable house, the one with SPACECOOL installation demonstrated an average reduction in air conditioning energy consumption of approximately 29%, with a maximum reduction of 37% during the measurement period (July 16–24).
・In an unoccupied portable house, the one with SPACECOOL installation demonstrated an average reduction in air conditioning energy consumption of approximately 49%, with a maximum reduction of 64% during the measurement period (August 31–September 29).
・The estimated CO₂ reduction for one portable house is approximately 21 tons over 15 years. (*3)

The exterior and rooftop view of a container house equipped with SPACECOOL.

Comparison of air conditioning energy consumption in occupied portable houses during the period from July 16 to July 24. The portable house with SPACECOOL applied showed an average reduction of approximately 29% and a maximum reduction of 37% in air conditioning energy consumption compared to the one without SPACECOOL.

At SPACECOOL INC., our mission is to reduce energy burdens and contribute to achieving a carbon-neutral society by applying SPACECOOL to buildings and infrastructure worldwide. While we have been conducting overseas demonstration trials and implementing projects globally, we are particularly pleased that in Saudi Arabia, a country facing more severe heat challenges than Japan, SPACECOOL underwent government-endorsed trials. The results, highlighting both economic and environmental benefits, were officially reported.

Encouraged by these findings, we are committed to accelerating SPACECOOL’s deployment in Saudi Arabia and expanding its reach globally to drive further adoption.

(*1)	Launched in 2020, the Oil Sustainability Program (OSP) is a collaborative initiative involving multiple Saudi government bodies, research institutions, and companies. It aims to create global opportunities and applications for hydrocarbons as competitive energy sources from economic and environmental perspectives. Additionally, it ensures hydrocarbons continue to exist in the global energy mix in the most efficient and sustainable forms.
(*2)	Established to foster clean energy cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia, recognizing their shared ambitions for net-zero and clean energy. It highlights the leadership of both nations in clean energy projects and advanced sustainable materials while ensuring supply chain resilience for a sustainable and secure supply.
(*3)	Calculated independently by OSP and Red Sea Global: •The application of SPACECOOL extended the air conditioning system’s lifespan from five to ten years, reducing refrigerant usage by 4.35 kg (equivalent to 9 t- CO₂). •Reduced electricity consumption for air conditioning also decreased the need for solar panels. Solar panel manufacturing and installation emit 41 g of CO₂ per kWh. Over 15 years, the energy savings achieved with SPACECOOL amount to 289,080 kWh, equating to a reduction of 12 t-CO2. •Total estimated CO₂ reduction: 21 t-CO₂.