Dubai: Construction material from timber, steel, aluminium, paint and cement based in the UAE has vastly improved the country's manufacturing processes to meet standards of Masdar City, benefiting construction regionally.
The Masdar City supply chain requirements have helped spur product innovation and improved manufacturing processes. This has opened market opportunities for UAE companies, said Dr Nawal Al Hosani, Associate Director of Sustainability, Masdar.
"Building one of the world's most sustainable, urban developments in Abu Dhabi provides a platform to educate the local construction industry about the advantages of sustainable development," said Dr Nawal.
Three pillars
Masdar suppliers include Oceanic General Trading which has become the first GCC-wide, sustainable timber merchant. All timber not only has to be sourced from certified, sustainably managed forests but show an unbroken chain of custody to guarantee that certification.
"We are the first GCC-wide Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain-of-custody timber merchant," said Siddharth Patel, partner at Oceanic. Ninety-five per cent of the timber sold comes from FSC-certified sources.
Challenged to develop a local, more sustainable concrete, Al Falah Ready Mix developed Al Facrete, which generates 50 per cent less CO2 to produce a specific amount of concrete.
"The value of Masdar City goes beyond just environmental obligations. It encompasses the three pillars of sustainability: environment, social and economic. A regional green supply chain has emerged to provide local, green building materials, help create jobs, and encourage better working and living standards," said Dr Nawal.
Similarly, paint and coating maker Jotun developed Fenomastic Emulsion Gold, a paint for interiors that delivers improved indoor air quality. Reem Emirates Aluminum (REA) is also playing a big role in the region by delivering energy-efficient, high-tech custom aluminium facades.
REA developed and installed the facades throughout the Masdar Institute campus — providing efficient insulation, along with adhering to the green building codes.
