In the news: "Finnish startup develops heating technology to replace gas patio heaters – Industrial production already underway"
- dianatemer
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Original article written by Annastiina Airaksinen, Tekniikka & Talous; Sept.10, 2025 – translated from Finnish.
The Warming Surfaces Company, a spin-off from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, has transformed its research-based innovation into a market-ready product. Many European homes and businesses still rely on gas heating, and this Finnish company now offers a sustainable alternative.
The company has officially launched its new heating system into industrial production and commercial sales. Designed as an environmentally friendly replacement for traditional gas heaters, the solution is especially suited for outdoor terraces and hospitality environments. Earlier reports highlighted that the radiant heat–based system can be seamlessly integrated into walls, furniture, or interior materials. Its heating elements are remarkably thin, only 0,2-0,3 millimetres, which makes the technology both discreet and adaptable to different applications.
In Europe, many homes are still heated with gas, and new solutions are being actively sought, for example in the United Kingdom. “A lot of work has been done over the past couple of years, and our first end product utilizing Halia® heat, heated patio tables, has now been certified, entered industrial production in Europe, and is ready for market launch.”, notes CEO and founding member Jani-Mikael Kuusisto.
The product has obtained CE approval and the required patents for electrical equipment, ensuring full compliance with European safety standards. The Warming Surfaces Company is a spin-off from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and continues to build on that know-how to create smart, energy-efficient heating solutions.
The company’s heating solution has already been tested in Finland on the terrace of the Sokotel chain’s new Solo Sokos Hotel Pier4 in Helsinki. The system, installed under the tabletop, requires only a standard mains connection and activates automatically when in use. The heaters provide gentle, targeted warmth without the open flames or emissions typical of gas heaters.
According to the company, deliveries have already been made to Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, South Africa, and Finland, signalling growing international interest in the technology. The innovation also arrives at a timely moment: France recently banned gas patio heaters due to their high carbon dioxide emissions. This regulatory shift highlights the market potential for clean, electric heating solutions such as those developed by The Warming Surfaces Company.
By integrating thin, energy-efficient heating elements directly into surfaces like tables and walls, the Finnish startup demonstrates how technology can combine design, comfort, and sustainability, offering a concrete path away from fossil fuel-based heating toward a greener future.
