For Policy Makers
Member Spotlight – ETHERMA
The strength of EIHA lies in the collaboration and expertise of its members. Together, we are working to strengthen the recognition of infrared heating as an important solution for sustainable heating in Europe.
We are pleased to introduce ETHERMA Elektrowärme GmbH, an Austrian family-owned company with more than 45 years of experience in electric heating solutions.
From an all-electric vision to infrared heating
Founded in 1981, ETHERMA has been committed to one central idea from the very beginning: heating with clean energy. Over the decades, the company has continuously developed its expertise in electric heating, always with a strong focus on comfort, efficiency and innovation.
In 2008, ETHERMA introduced its first LAVA® design infrared heating panel, marking an important milestone in its all-electric journey. Since then, infrared heating has become an integral part of ETHERMA’s portfolio, with solutions for private homes, renovations, offices and commercial buildings.
Combining comfort, design and efficiency
Today, the LAVA® infrared heating series combines efficient infrared heat with elegant design, durable materials, easy installation and intelligent control options.
ETHERMA’s mission is to make sustainable heating accessible, affordable and practical and to contribute to the transition towards all-electric buildings across Europe.
Quality and industry collaboration are an important part of this mission. As an active member and co-founder of infrared heating associations, including EIHA, ETHERMA contributes to the development of common standards, education and greater transparency within the industry.
As one of the first recipients of the EIHA Quality Label, ETHERMA also demonstrates its commitment to tested quality and reliable performance – helping installers and end-users make informed decisions when choosing infrared heating solutions.
From more than four decades of electric heating expertise to the latest generation of LAVA® infrared panels, ETHERMA continues to pursue the same vision: making modern electric heating a simple and comfortable choice for the future.
Member in the spotlight – Star Progetti
The strength of EIHA as a trade association lies in the collaboration between its members. Together, we are working to promote the recognition of infrared heating as a tool in the toolbox for achieving sustainability in Europe. That is why we are keen to introduce our members. One of our active members is Star Progetti Tecnologie Applicate spa , introduced below by Francesco Iolli, business development manager.
A story of excellence made in Italy.
The roots of our story start from a great idea we had in a small garage in the centre of Milan. An idea that has turned into a family business, proudly growing with its own strength and with the solid conviction that to do a job well means first and foremost to love it, devoting time to it with determination, with drive, with a lot of preparation, but also with a big heart, passion, sacrifice, commitment and a high degree of honesty.
It was the early 1990s and Star Progetti launched the product that would revolutionise the hospitality industry forever: the famous gas-powered Fungo®. At that time, in several Italian cities, there was a considerable lack of evening lighting in the autumn-winter period. For this reason, many mayors asked shops to keep their windows lit until late at night in the central streets of the cities.
In Milan, like in so many other cities in Italy, there was no incentive to enjoy the city during autumn and winter evenings. Star Progetti, was the first to realise the social and economic potential of using these spaces. Based on this analysis, Star Progetti designed and manufactured the first heater capable of making it easier for people to spend time outside, an invention that was soon a global success, from Italy to Japan.
Since then, in 30 years of activity, Star Progetti has evolved into an international industrial group consisting of 5 different business units, with a product presence in more than 60 countries worldwide.
From comfortable outdoorheating to energy efficient indoor solutions
Star Progetti’s journey in the infrared heating sector began with the goal of offering efficient solutions to heat outdoor spaces, such as terraces, gardens, and commercial outdoor areas. Over time, thanks to our original partnership with Philips, we have extended this experience to large indoor spaces as well, bringing innovation, comfort, and energy savings. Our core mission today is to develop products that combine energy efficiency, ease of installation, and safety, providing heating solutions that enhance people’s well-being and meet the needs of both customers and industry professionals.
Member in the spotlight
We are delighted to introduce our latest member in the spotlight, Lucht LHZ is a German manufacturer of electric heating systems with more than 40 years of experience in developing innovative, energy-efficient heating solutions. With a strong focus on quality, innovation and sustainability, Lucht LHZ Elektroheizung GmbH & Co. KG develops electric heating systems that are designed to integrate with renewable energy sources and meet the highest European standards.
Today we will learn more about Lucht LHZ from Uwe Lucht.
What inspired you to get involved in the infrared heating industry?
Growing up in a family business dedicated to electric heating, I have been familiar with this technology from an early age. Over the years, I became increasingly convinced that infrared heating offers an intelligent answer to many of today’s challenges. It combines energy efficiency, comfort, ease of installation and a modern design approach. Being able to contribute to a more sustainable way of heating buildings has been a strong motivation for me throughout my career.
How did Lucht LHZ’s journey in infrared heating begin, and what core mission guides your work today?
Lucht LHZ originally focused exclusively on electric storage heating systems. As the heating market evolved and customer requirements changed, we steadily expanded our product portfolio throughout the 2010s. Infrared heating became a natural addition, complementing our expertise in electric heating with a modern, efficient and versatile technology.
Our mission today is to provide reliable, high-quality electric heating solutions that combine innovation, energy efficiency and long-lasting performance. As a family-owned manufacturer based in Germany, we are committed to developing products that help make the transition to sustainable heating both practical and accessible for residential and commercial buildings.
Imagine your infrared panel could be installed anywhere in the world, real or fictional. Where would it be and why?
I would love to see our infrared panels in the homes of the future—buildings powered entirely by renewable energy. I believe electric heating, especially infrared technology, will play an important role in making that vision a reality.
What is your favourite book and why?
One of my favourite books is Shopfloor Management: Führen am Ort der Wertschöpfung by Remco Peters. It highlights the importance of leadership where value is actually created – on the shop floor. The book emphasizes continuous improvement, clear communication and empowering employees to take responsibility. As a manufacturing company, these principles are highly relevant to our daily work and reflect how we strive to lead our teams and continuously improve our products and processes.