Bayer MaterialScience, one of the world’s largest polymer companies, has announced the launch of its path-breaking EcoCommercial Building Program in the Middle East at The Big 5 expo in Dubai.

Successfully launched in key markets such as Europe, the US and China, the program enables decision-makers in the public and private sector to implement projects from low-energy passive to zero-emissions buildings with increased user comfort and reduced lifecycle costs.

The initiative serves as a perfect complement to the thrust of the regional Governments to promote sustainable development by focusing on energy-efficient buildings, said a senior official.

“Energy efficiency in buildings is one of the most effective levers in tackling green house gas emissions and ensuring sustainable patterns of consumption of scarce resources from fossil fuels to water,” said Stephan Rosenthal, managing director of Bayer Middle East, at the launch event.

“Green building solutions are therefore a focus of the Bayer Climate Program - our policy to develop sustainable solutions across all our areas of operations. Bayer MaterialScience has been a long-standing trusted partner of the construction industry.”

An interdisciplinary network of member companies in sustainable construction, the EcoCommercial Building Program involves a holistic planning approach to building design and deploying innovative materials and technology from the very beginning.

Rather than installing air-conditioning and building technology in a finished building, the EcoCommercial Building Program starts with optimizing the shape and material consistency of the building envelope for local climatic conditions in order to diminish primary energy consumption levels.

In a second step, the network identifies custom-tailored solutions for sources of renewable energy production, such as photovoltaics and solar thermal energy for combined cooling, heating and power, to minimize emissions. Lastly, innovative flooring and sound absorption materials help to maximize user comfort and health.

“Sustainable buildings serve as a driver of both economic value and reputation. The Program offers a win-win solution with building lifecycle cost reduction on the one hand and cementing Middle Eastern companies’ pole position in the race for viable green city models on the other,” said Dr Thomas Braig, head of The EcoCommercial Building Program Region Europe, Middle East, Africa.

“With the launch of the EcoCommercial Building Program in the Middle East, together with our network members we are bringing a premium offering for ecologically sound construction to a vibrant growth region,” he added.

“Cost-effective widespread implementation of green buildings is a key challenge faced by regional governments and the private sector as they embark on ambitious infrastructure development programs," said Pejman Norastehfar, head of the EcoCommercial Building Program in the Middle East.-TradeArabia News Service