JOTUN Paints has launched what is said to be the world’s first floor coating based on nanotechnology, in the UAE. Called  Jotafloor Rapid Dry, the coating will also support Abu Dhabi’s pioneering initiatives towards greener construction through the use of environmentally safe paints and coatings based on cutting-edge technology.

KINGSPAN Insulated Panels, the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of complete insulated roof, architectural wall and façade systems, has launched its first Middle East base in Dubai as part of its strategic expansion to strengthen its global presence.

ABU Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec) has begun construction on Phase One of the Dh3.5 billion ($952.9 million) Al Ain Convention Centre district, located near the popular Al Jimi area of the city.

TEKA Kuchentechnik, a German brand of high-quality built-in kitchen appliances, kitchen sinks and mixers, forecasts continued growth in the GCC through to 2015 as it expands aggressively in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

ABU DHABI Ports Company (ADPC) has awarded a major procurement and construction contract in excess of Dh300 million ($81 million) to Larsen & Toubro for its flagship project at Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ) in Taweelah.

Al-FUTTAIM Logistics has won a contract to provide third-party logistics (3PL) services for Caterpillar in the Middle East. Caterpillar is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.

Ajman Uptown marks a milestoneTHE Dh2.2 billion ($599 million) Ajman Uptown marked a key milestone by completing construction of all sub-structures for the 1,504 villas being built within the master community development.

DANUBE Group, a leading building materials company in the Middle East, has recently launched its Milano range of faucets that meet the requirements of a diverse of applications.

ABU DHABI’S TOURISM Development & Investment Company (TDIC) has unveiled full-fledged plans and designs for the Saadiyat Beach Apartments, with all 495 Phase One apartments due to open for leasing in the second quarter of 2011, and for completion by the fourth quarter of 2011.

MUBADALA Infrastructure, a unit of Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala), has appointed Al Futtaim Carillion as the design-and-build contractor for New York University Abu Dhabi’s (NYUAD) main campus on Saadiyat Island. Site mobilisation work is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year.

DOW Corning, one of the world’s largest silicone-based materials developers and manufacturers, highlighted the benefits of silicones during a presentation on building materials protection at the 2010 Middle East Coatings Show which was held in Dubai.

NEW Zealand-based Framecad has launched a mobile fully self-contained building manufacturing factory housed in a modified 20-foot shipping container, in the Middle East. The company, with support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, showcased the mobile unit  dubbed ‘The Factory in a Can’ in Dubai recently.

THE Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has opened a bridge linking Dubai Media City and The Greens for traffic, providing a direct link between the two sides of Sheikh Zayed Road in that area.

THE Roads & Transport Authority in coordination with Meydan City Corp last month opened bridges and roads leading to Meydan racecourse at Nad El Sheba in Dubai.

MAPEI, a leader in the production of adhesives, sealants and chemical products for buildings, announced that it set a new benchmark in the Middle East with its pioneering work at the Burj Khalifa, particularly the Armani Hotel, regarded as one of the most stylish and luxurious hotels in the world.

ESTIDAMA has unveiled the most recent version of the highly ambitious Pearl Rating System (PRS), the Arab world’s first sustainability rating mechanism established last year to assess sustainability performance of buildings, communities and villas.

THE Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has unveiled waterfront design guidelines for the Al Bateen area in Abu Dhabi, in a continuing effort to safeguard the natural resources and the cultural heritage of the city.

VILLA handover has begun in the fifth of seven villages that make up the luxury golfing community of Victory Heights in Dubai, the developer said. To date 450 luxury villas out of the 961 units in the community have been handed over to homeowners.

MANAZEL Real Estate said that its Prestige Towers is in the final phase of its construction and is scheduled for completion by the end of next month. Prestige Towers includes two 20-storey modern office towers with three levels of structured parking at the heart of the 9712BMC development within Mohammad Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi.

REDSKY IT is focusing on penetrating the small and medium-sized contracting segment of the regional market for its project costing software.

MEMON Investments has completed the superstructure of the Dh80 million ($22 million) Cambridge Business Centre (CBC), with construction of all 10 floors of its inaugural commercial venture, located in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO),  complete in line with plans to deliver the tower by the second quarter of 2011.