Vladimir Petrovic, winner of the Ernst & Young entrepreneur of the Year awards announced last week (October 25, is not one to rest on his laurels.

He has been busy presenting the results of his company's latest air conditioning technology research to building and construction consultants in Melbourne, and is now preparing to take some prototypes units, developed from that research, to Singapore for testing in the world-famous Raffles Hotel complex.

Dadanco developed revolutionary low-cost air conditioning technology that has been incorporated into new constructions and building refurbishment projects in most Australian capital cities as well as New Zealand and Singapore.

The technology can improve the capacity of induction air conditioning systems by up to 50%, lower air-conditioning background noise by up to 15 dB, reduce maintenance and running costs, and lower environmental impact through reduced energy usage.

Mr Petrovic said the latest product to emerge from his company's research division is the most exciting development yet.

"The Dadanco Active Chilled Beam (ACB) system is perhaps the most revolutionary concept for commercial air conditioning applications in new buildings."

Mr Petrovic said Dadanco Active Chilled Beams, combined with High Driving Potential method of air conditioning, can be used for air conditioning in all building types, in all climatic regions in the world.

"This new system combines the energy efficiency, noise and space-saving qualities of Dadanco technology with a highly efficient heat transfer system to reduce fan energy consumption by 65% while maintaining dry bulb temperature of 23(C and 50% relative humidity," he said.

Active Chilled Beam systems are low-profile and require smaller air ducts which allow a reduction in up to 300mm of ceiling space in a typical office building.

"This space saving, extrapolated over a number of floors in a new construction, means that an extra floor can be created for every ten floors planned, without increasing the height of the building," Mr Petrovic said.

Dadanco technology, which has been recognised in the scientific community and granted world-wide patents, was developed at the University of Adelaide by the company's founders and owners, Vladimir M. Petrovic and Professor Sam Luxton, to solve noise and capacity problems in perimeter air conditioning systems that are installed in thousands of commercial buildings around Australia and the world.
Since the company's beginning in 1995, Dadanco has grown from a two-person, start-up enterprise in 1995 to a $multi-million award-winning company with an annual growth rate of 500 per cent providing engineering solutions for air conditioning problems in new or existing office buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools and airport lounges.

From their manufacturing, sales and distribution facility at Thebarton, (SA), Dadanco now exports their technology to all Australian States, New Zealand, Asia and Europe and has set up joint venture companies in Singapore and London.

Dadanco has embarked on a $2 million 3-year research and development program this year that will allow them to further their efforts to increase their air-conditioner technology efficiency and reduce energy usage.

Earlier this year, Dadanco was selected as a finalist in the Australia Day Council of South Australia Business Awards.