Singapore’s largest annual green building exhibition kicked off on Wednesday, showcasing numerous technologies developed to suit today’s urban jungles.
As cities attempt to rein in resource-hungry building sectors by promoting sustainable construction and energy efficient technologies, manufacturers of such solutions are finding increased demand for their products.
Managing director Boediman Widjaja of JOE Green, a Malaysian company that manufactures certified green concrete panels for buildings, said the firm cannot keep up with demand and is preparing to open a second factory in Indonesia.
The company makes pre-cast concrete slabs that use 20 per cent to 50 per cent waste materials recycled from industries such as ceramics.
In the early days, customers were wary of the technology, which is primarily used to replace brick walls, Mr Widjaja noted. “But the more they see it used in big projects, the more confidence they have.”
Malaysia’s government drove early demand by requiring the product for public projects, and now the private sector is coming on board, he added. He predicted that the use of bricks to build walls would largely disappear within two to three years because it is slower, more costly and labour intensive.
Japan-headquartered Asahi Glass Company (AGC) was another firm at the exhibition plying its solutions for greening Asia’s growing population of glass skyscrapers. The firm makes insulated glass that deflects heat from the sun while still allowing natural light through.
Manager of market development for Asia Pacific, Dr Tetsuya Hiramatsu, told Eco-Business that the company was currently working on energy efficient glass specifically designed for tropical climates, which will likely be ready in about two years.
The firm also develops building integrated photovoltaic panels – or windows with solar cells built in. It has sold over 100,000 square kilometres of its solar glass panels in Japan, and is now testing a highly transparent solar glass panel for possible commercialisation.
AGC is one of more than 280 companies from about 30 countries to display their high-tech wares for the building industry at the three-day Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia. Last year, the technology show generated US$81 million in sales, and organizer Reed Exhibitions expects that to reach $90 million from its 8,000 visitors this year.
The exhibition, which is co-located with the International Green Building Conference (IGBC) at the Sands Convention and Expo Centre, has expanded this year’s offerings with new product categories for green interiors, sky rise landscaping and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Earla Janice Aquino, communications manager for Singapore landscape company Prince’s, told Eco-Business she was not surprised at the added focus on greenery.
“The government has been very aggressive about making Singapore a greener city,” she said. For example, the national parks department, NParks, provides a subsidy to pay for up to half the cost of installing green roofs or vertical gardens on existing buildings.
Prince’s started as a florist, but has since adapted to Singapore’s growing hunger for greenery in its developed neighbourhoods by initially producing vertical gardens, and now mini-landscapes that naturally filter rainwater and storm run-off as well. High profile projects in Singapore that use Prince’s products include the Marina Bay Sands Skypark, the Healing Garden in the Botanical Gardens and a new water theme park on the resort island of Sentosa.
In line with this year’s theme for IGBC, Green Community, Green Action, Prince’s newest product, called NeoScape, has an educational aspect to it. The mini-landscapes - complete with water features, filtering wetlands and butterfly gardens – are designed to teach students and members of the public how outdoor elements act together to improve the environment.
“We are encouraging a green future for the city,” said Ms Aquino.
Eco-Business.com’s coverage of the International Green Building Conference 2012 is brought to you by City Developments Limited.
For other news from the Singapore Green Building Week, including the International Green Building Conference 2012 and Bex Asia 2012, click here.
