Global market for green building materials estimated to be worth $406 billion by 2015

Advanced Construction and Technology Services (ACTS), a consulting organisation in the field of construction materials and geotechnical engineering, has announced that the upcoming edition of its Future Concrete Conference will feature the first Environmental Construction Exhibition.

The exhibition, which will showcase an array of products and technologies designed to make the construction industry in the Middle East more environment-friendly, will run concurrently with the Future Concrete Conference in Dubai from 12 to 14 December, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, DIFC.

The event is being hosted at a time when, the company says, the global market for green building materials is expected to be worth $406 billion by 2015, fuelled mainly by increasing environmental consciousness, high energy costs, and a better understanding of the long-term benefits of green buildings, such as improved efficiency, cost savings and higher production.

Regionally, countries like the UAE have been leading the green building drive. For instance, in late 2007, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, issued a directive mandating builders and developers in Dubai to comply with green building standards to ensure a healthy and environment-friendly city. Abu Dhabi, with its Masdar initiative, is seeking to become a centre for the development and implementation of clean energy technology.

ACTS - 1st edition of Future Concrete Conference

Further, the emirate recently rolled out the Arab world’s first specialised green building rating system, Estidama, requiring all new developments in Abu Dhabi to comply with the standards set by the system, including commercial and government projects.

“Most attention in green buildings is focused on reducing the emissions of operating a building, owing to the long life and, thus, cumulative impact associated with energy, waste, and other materials used during a building’s lifetime. However, increased attention will focus on the practices necessary to reduce the emissions associated with building construction, renovation and demolition. This is the next frontier for the construction industry, which must establish new systems and procedures to lower the carbon footprint of construction activities,” Abdul Kader Kairouz, Chairman of the exhibition’s organising committee and ACTS Vice-President, said.

More than 35 international construction experts are expected to share their insight on a number of issues, including concrete of the 21st century, advanced construction materials, and innovative practices and smart construction.

“Participating in the Environmental Construction Exhibition this year will provide a very effective marketing platform for suppliers of innovative construction products and services,” Dr Maher El Barrak, Chairman of the Technical Committee and head of the conferences and training division at ACTS, said.

It is a unique opportunity for local and international design firms, contractors and suppliers to position their companies in the environmental construction industry that is clearly set to grow, he said

According to the company, incorporating the Environmental Construction Exhibition into the Future Concrete Conference promises to reward attendees with a great opportunity to access a wealth of information from exhibitors and speakers under one roof.

This combination will link hot topics in concrete construction with the practical aspects of green building, eco-construction, environmental consulting, demolition recycling and waste and water management.