Will jointly further the cause of sustainable building and construction in Dubai

Dow Chemical Company and the Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL), a division of Dubai Municipality responsible for providing product conformity assessments and performing tests, studies, standards development and measurement control, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to partner on initiatives that drive sustainable building and construction in Dubai through joint research programmes, trainings and technical support. Announcing this, Dow said that as part of the MOU, it will cooperate with DCL to provide technical assistance in the areas of Indoor Air Quality and energy efficiency, with the aim to develop standards and test methods for waterborne, Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)-free and formaldehyde-abatement coatings, as well as reflective roof coatings and Exterior Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICs).

Dow and DCL will also collaborate on R&D trainings, joint studies and technical workshops to build industry awareness on sustainability, the announcement elaborated. Research, testing and certification would take place at a dedicated space at DCL’s Green Materials Testing Laboratory. DCL would also offer training and certification services to Dow, the announcement added.

According to Dow, the signing ceremony was held in Dubai, with Hawa Abdullah Bastaki, Director, DCL and Dr Ilham Kadri, General Manager, Dow Advanced Materials Division (AMD), Middle East & Africa, signing the MOU in the presence of Ali Elian, Head of Engineering Materials Laboratory Section, and other DCL and Dubai Municipality officials, as well as global and regional Dow business leaders, including Dr William E Jackson, Global R&D Director for Dow Building and Construction.

“We are pleased and honoured today to partner with the esteemed Dubai Central Laboratory to address the growing area of sustainable practices and regulations in Dubai’s building and construction industry,” said Dr Kadri. “We at Dow are dedicated to using science and technology to solve regional challenges. DCL is a true pioneer in researching, drafting and supporting the enforcement of Dubai Municipality regulations in the Building & Construction sector. We look forward to our mutual collaboration to develop regionally tailored solutions and to advance Dubai’s sustainability agenda together.”