NOKERA and Vonovia Introduce Scalable Prefabrication Model to Accelerate Energy-Efficient Residential Upgrades

The Nokera Green Factory in Stegelitz, near Magdeburg.
Photo: NOKERA.

(IN BRIEF) Vonovia and NOKERA have formed a strategic partnership to industrialise the energy-efficient refurbishment of residential buildings, focusing on scalable solutions that reduce costs, construction time, and tenant disruption. The collaboration uses prefabricated façade elements produced off-site and installed rapidly, enabling entire buildings to be upgraded within days. Initial projects covering around 1,000 apartments in Heidenheim and Langenfeld are already underway, with plans to expand the approach across Vonovia’s broader portfolio. By combining digitalisation, industrial construction methods, and sustainability goals, the partnership aims to accelerate the energy transition while improving living standards in residential communities.

(PRESS RELEASE) BOCHUM/ MÖCKERN, 14-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Vonovia has entered into a strategic partnership with NOKERA to accelerate the large-scale energy-efficient refurbishment of residential buildings across its portfolio. The collaboration is focused on introducing industrialised construction methods to modernise housing estates more rapidly, cost-effectively, and with minimal disruption to residents.

The initiative centers on the use of prefabricated façade elements, which are produced off-site and then installed quickly on existing buildings. These components are manufactured at a high-capacity facility located in Möckern near Magdeburg, recognized as the world’s largest production site dedicated to serial construction. By shifting key construction processes into a controlled industrial environment, the partners aim to significantly streamline refurbishment timelines while maintaining consistent quality.

Through this approach, Vonovia and NOKERA intend to address one of the most pressing challenges in the housing sector: upgrading existing building stock to meet modern energy efficiency standards. The integration of digital processes, industrial production, and scalable construction methods is expected to enhance operational efficiency while supporting broader sustainability goals.

Luka Mucic emphasized that serial modernisation enables the company to transform its processes by combining digitalisation, efficiency, and industrialisation. This approach is designed not only to contribute to the energy transition but also to improve living conditions within residential communities.

Ulrich Schwenken highlighted the importance of aligning planning, manufacturing, and installation to create standardised façade solutions that can be deployed across large housing developments. This integrated model allows energy-efficient upgrades to be implemented at scale for the first time.

A key advantage of the partnership is the ability to dramatically shorten construction timelines. Entire building façades can be modernised within a matter of days, significantly reducing inconvenience for tenants while accelerating the pace of energy upgrades. In addition to improving efficiency, the approach is expected to deliver substantial reductions in carbon emissions.

The collaboration is already underway in two residential areas in Heidenheim and Langenfeld near Düsseldorf, covering approximately 1,000 apartments. Insights from these projects will inform the broader rollout of the model across additional properties within Vonovia’s portfolio, supporting long-term efforts to modernise housing infrastructure and advance sustainability objectives.

About Vonovia
Vonovia SE is Europe’s leading residential real estate company. With 531,000 residential units in Germany, Sweden and Austria, the focus is on letting and developing modern and energy-efficient housing. At an average in-place rent of €8.38/sqm/month (€8.19 in Germany), the company operates in the affordable housing segment. In 2025 Vonovia invested around €2bn in its housing portfolio and the construction of new apartments.

Vonovia aims to offer attractive risk-adjusted returns to shareholders, a home with a high quality of living and excellent service to its tenants, and a modern, challenging, and rewarding work environment to its employees.

The Bochum-based company has been listed on the stock exchange since 2013. Since September 2015 Vonovia has been a constituent in the DAX40. Vonovia SE is also a constituent of additional national and international indices, including DAX 50 ESG, Dow Jones Best-in-Class Europe Index, STOXX Global ESG Leaders, EURO STOXX ESG Leaders 50, FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Europe, and GPR 250 World. Vonovia has a workforce of approximately 12,700 employees.

Media contacts:

Nina Henckel
Head of Corporate Media
T +49 234 / 314 – 1909
nina.henckel@vonovia.de

Jana Kaminski
Press Officer
Corporate Media Relations
T +49 234 / 314 – 1926
jana.kaminski@vonovia.de
www.vonovia.com

SOURCE: Vonovia SE