Surface materials face tough conditions in Fibox enclosures. Weather testing builds trust in the products and facilitates access to new markets.
Fibox is an internationally operating company with roots in Finland, in Fiskars, where the enclosure business originally spun off into its own company.
Today, the company is a global leader in enclosure solutions that prioritize design and innovation. In addition, Fibox has focused particularly on the energy transition sector, serving mainly solar and wind power production. In these industries, enclosure solutions are mostly used outdoors, meaning the enclosures are exposed to round-the-clock weather stress.
– Weather testing ensures our core promise – not only that our products withstand outdoor use, but that they withstand long-term outdoor use, emphasizes Tobias Andersson, who is responsible for global product data and certifications at Fibox.
Wind and solar power production are growing worldwide. Utility-scale solar farms require large open areas, which can be found for example in the United States and the deserts of the Middle East. The USA has long been a major producer of solar power and growth continues. Fibox now wants to replicate the success achieved there.
– There aren’t too many Western competitors, but strong competitors exist elsewhere. For example, Chinese companies presumably have a good foothold on the African continent. In our experience, our products may lose on price in the short term, but in the longer term our weather- and time-resistant products become more cost-effective and are of course a sustainable choice also from an environmental perspective, says Andersson.
At the equator, solar irradiance is almost twice that of Finland, because the rays hit the ground at a steeper angle and the length of day is constant. UV radiation affects enclosure materials, causing, among other things, fading, embrittlement or yellowing.
– The solar irradiance in the Middle East is a completely different class than in Finland, which makes durability testing especially important. We test the enclosures carefully and with scientific accuracy to ensure that they retain both their appearance and their properties even in the most demanding conditions – also after years of exposure, says Andersson.
Trust among customers is earned through good experiences, but during the sales phase many providers are at the same starting line. Then trust is built with transparent testing.
– Those who can provide third-party test data are trusted the most. We also value our customers enough to ensure our product quality with independent tests, and we guarantee that they fulfill our promises in all conditions. In recent years, we have invested in our marketing, and that work has a reliable foundation only if our key claims can be proven. Solar Simulator has been a trusted partner for us, helping ensure that durability is tested and verified to the highest standards, Andersson emphasizes.
Our references tell the story of product durability in different conditions, sustainable development and product development. We have collaborated with companies across several industries to ensure that their products withstand time, weather and demanding operating environments.
Whether it is UV testing, salt spray testing, solar simulation or some other service, we provide our customers with precise and verifiable information that supports material choices, improves lifecycle thinking and enables distinctive, high-quality solutions in marketing. With these results, our customers can better meet the demands of the market and the environment.
