The Big 5, the largest building and construction expo in the Middle East, ended on a 'eco-friendly' note with hundreds of companies showcasing their innovative sustainable products over the four-day event in Dubai, UAE.

Going green is a major trend across all exhibitors at this year's Big 5 show, said the event organisers on the sidelines of the eight edition of Gaia Awards.

"With the UAE’s and region’s focus on delivering sustainability in construction it was paramount to choose sustainability as a key theme in this year’s Big 5,” remarked event director, Josine Heijmans.

"It’s with this backdrop that the Gaia Awards are more relevant than ever. Visitors to The Big 5 are constantly looking for innovative products that are environmentally friendly and the Gaia Awards helps us uncover these products and technologies and share them with the construction and design industry,” she stated.

SageGlass was selected as the most innovative product in the Middle East, which will contribute towards a more sustainable built environment.

SageGlass is an electronically tintable, dynamic glass that prevents heat and glare, increases occupants’ comfort, optimizes daylight while maintaining the view to the outdoor.

Awarded by a panel of industry experts headed by Dr Alaa Ashmawy, Professor of Civil Engineering and Dean of the School of Engineering at AUD, SageGlass can reduce energy consumption up to 20 per cent.

In addition, it’s a sustainable solution that contributes to Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification points. "In 2015 we started working on the first project in the Middle East and the Gaia Awards is our first recognition in the region; I am truly happy of this achievement,” SageGlass representative said receiving the award."

Mario Seneviratne, the managing director of Green Technologies and member of the Gaia Awards judging panel, “The Gaia Awards are an excellent platform to identify truly sustainable products in the Middle East”.

The UAE is one of the top 10 markets for green building space according to US Green Building Council (USGBC) and Dubai ranks eighth in Solidiance’s list of top 10 global cities for green buildings.

Ariston Thermo Group, a multinational company headquartered in Italy, said it was pursuing energy efficiency in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

According to the marketing manager, Jacopo Guzzarotti, “The Big 5 is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our innovative solutions to save energy and present our new products to the local market”.   

To help construction industry professionals save time and money, ProTenders.com exhibitor launched its new Construction Product Catalogue at The Big 5 today.

“ProTenders is now a complete online B2B construction platform that enables all types of construction companies to increase their brand’s visibility, generate leads and streamline their tendering process, using our unique secure cloud-based platform,“ said Karim Helal, its cofounder and CEO.

The new catalogue is an effective tool that enables suppliers to be traced and contacted, and supports consultants finding the right products that match their requirements. It also helps suppliers to list all their products, including specs, data sheets, brochures and images.

“Our award winning e-tendering platform has so far proven a huge success with over $20 billion managed bids and 900 processed tenders,” remarked Helal.

According to the organisers, the robust international participation at The Big 5 reinforced Dubai’s position as central business hub of the broader Middle East region.

The Turkish Government, which is Platinum Sponsor of the event, is strongly investing on The Big 5 to support Turkish manufacturers of construction products expand in the UAE and beyond.

“This year, we have over 250 Turkish exhibitors at The Big 5 and 35 more at the co-located PMV Live and MEC shows,” Ersahin Cagatay, from Expotim International, said. “In 2015, the Turkish Pavilion had 50 exhibitors; this year we have almost 300 companies and we plan to grow our participation to The Big 5 even more in future,” he added.

This year, the participation of Italian companies has been bigger than ever, with 380 exhibitors. “At the Big 5 in Dubai, our companies have the chance to meet thousands of buyers and traders from the Middle East and Asia, and explore the great opportunities offered by this market,” the director of the Italian Trade Commission’s Dubai Office, Gianpaolo Bruno, stated.  

“The local construction industry is growing at a rate amongst the highest in the world, boosted by the organization of the Expo 2020 Dubai,” he noted.

Abui Dhabi-based Albaddad Group said it had closed deals worth almost Dh2.2 million ($598,799) at The Big 5. The company founded by Hussain Albaddad in 1971 to supply the requirements of the tents from the royal family, has now grown into a leading supplier of tends and outdoor furniture for events.

During the first three days, the company won the Al Wathba contract for the National day celebrations from the Abu Dhabi Government besides a 5,000-sq-m outlet facility in Nigeria and a 2,000-sq-m project for the Radisson Blu Hotel in Oman.-TradeArabia News Service