Gulf Construction Online

UAE Focus

Update

01 April 2011

Dupont focus on sustainability

DUPONT, one of the leading market-driven science companies, hosted the architectural and industrial engineering students of Alhosn University, Abu Dhabi, and offered them insight on creating sustainable structures.

DuPont also shared the science behind increasing the performance of building systems and creating more sustainable structures.

The session was led by Tony Azzam, regional business manager DuPont Building Innovations, Turkey, Middle East and Africa, who shared DuPont’s rich history of bringing science to the marketplace in ways that change people’s lives.

“We’re finding innovative solutions to create residential and commercial buildings that operate more efficiently. At DuPont Building Innovations, our building science plays a significant role in making homes and buildings that are safer, sounder, look newer longer and provide greater environmental sustainability,” said Azzam.

Samsung wins nuclear plant deal

SAMSUNG Gulf Electronics has won a contract to supply its Digital Variable Multi (DVM) Plus III for the UAE’s first nuclear power plant at Braka, Abu Dhabi.

It won the deal in cooperation with Bayanat Electro Mechanical Company (Bemco), Samsung’s commercial air-conditioner (CAC) distributor in the UAE.

The contract was awarded through Woojin M&E, one of Korea’s leading engineering and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) firms and the first to deploy the latest generation of Samsung’s multi-zone modular energy-efficient systems that utilise advanced energy saving techniques.

“Woojin M&E was looking for cutting-edge technology in air-conditioning that was both innovative and environment-friendly. DVM Plus III is the latest version of Samsung’s renowned DVM series and offers a comprehensive, cost- and energy-efficient solution that fulfils all of the Braka nuclear power plant project’s air-conditioning needs,” said Hani Nadaf, head of CAC-B2B, Samsung Gulf Electronics.

Summertown gains UBCSD’s Pearl

SUMMERTOWN Interiors recently attained Pearl membership with the UAE Business Council for Sustainable Development (UBCSD), a leading local organisation driving UAE’s economic growth within environmental parameters.

A number of significant green initiatives have led Summertown Interiors to achieve Pearl membership of the UBCSD, notably the recent establishment of the ‘Green Committee’. This has been set up through efforts by all sections of the company and additional Summertown entities to achieve complete carbon neutrality for the company by 2020.

SAS supplies Central Market project

SAS International said it has supplied a range of products for the new suq in Abu Dhabi’s Central Market. These include bespoke lighting and service channels as well as metal ceilings, of many unusual shapes and specifications, for the lift lobby areas.

SAS International was actively involved in the design and manufacture of these high quality architectural metalwork solutions for both internal and external applications.

The Central Market development is located at the heart of the city’s commercial district and on the site of the emirate’s oldest bazaar that was destroyed by a fire in 2003. The major redevelopment of the site by developer Aldar has breathed new life into the market area as well as generated a range of commercial and residential opportunities for investors. Leading international architectural firm Foster + Partners was appointed in 2006 to design the new development.

Meanwhile, SAS International has also launched a range of commodity products, available from stock, direct from its local depot in Dubai. Products now available include SAS International’s International White T-grid, as well as SAS International’s System 150 and 130 clip-in and lay-in metal ceiling systems.

New chief for Arabtec unit

ARABTEC, the UAE’s largest builder by market value, has appointed Grigoris Christofides as the new chief executive for its construction unit.

Christofides joined Arabtec Construction as project manager in 1996 and has been an executive director since 2006, the company said.

He replaces Tom Barry, who has retired. Barry will remain on the board of directors of Arabtec Construction.

Arabtec also said Riad Kamal will continue to be the chairman and chief executive of Arabtec Holding, the parent company.

D&S in geothermal deal

DRAKE & Scull Water and Power (DSWP) has signed a MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Australian company Earth Heat Resources, to jointly bid for geothermal projects in the Middle East and Africa.

The agreement comes after the company’s announcement of its intention to tap into the markets of Djibouti and Vietnam in Africa and Asia.

“Our association with Earth Heat, one of the leading independent geothermal companies in the world, will allow us to explore and identify viable geothermal project opportunities in the Mena region,” stated Tawfiq Abu Soud, executive director of DSWP. “We recognise the potentials in investing in alternative energy solutions and especially in geothermal fields, which have a proven record of being cost effective, reliable, sustainable, and environment friendly.”