MARKET I OPPORTUNITIES
Glass, windows and façades For companies the path to making an EPD is relatively convenient via sector-based solutions. For instance, in the research project “EPDs for Transparent Construction Elements” the research bodies Institut für Fenstertechnik, Institut für Bauen und Umwelt and PE International GmbH along with trade associations Flachglas (BF), Fenster+Fassade (VFF), Kunststoff- Erzeugnisse (QKE) und Schloss + Beschlag (FV S+B) have developed EPDs for plastic, aluminium and wooden windows as well as for glass in the construction industry.
Dipl.-Ing. Jochen Grönegräs, Managing Director of BF Flachglas, an association grouping German flat glass manufacturers and processors, does not believe creating quality competition between companies on the basis of EPDs makes sense: “In our view Environmental Product Declarations are not a suitable method for differentiating products on the market. Here a sector- based solution makes more sense. For this reason the associations Bundesverband Flachglas, Fenster+Fassade and the ift have joined together to initiate the research project ‘EPDs for Transparent Construction Elements’.” The association was still in discussion with the ift and the IBU as to how the project should apply to manufacturers’ EPDs, said Grönegräs.
On the basis of project results the ift and PE International already this year wish to publish an online tool with easy-to-use standard EPDs for all product manufacturers. However, the sector-based solution does have one disadvantage. It concentrates on necessary minimum specifications. Individual features such as the use of green electricity or particularly eco- friendly logistics are not taken into consideration here. However, for Jochen Grönegräs this is not an obstacle for a joint approach as ultimately every member could also make an individual EPD for their products in addition to the sector-based solution. A further motivation for flat glass manufacturers to carry out the joint research project was the chance to have their say in the content of the “Ökobau.dat” database that is already now available for product data acquisition. Commenting on this Grönegräs said: “This means the quality of the data on our glass products made available for download from this portal now lies in our hands.”
This is an understandable motivation as the quality of construction glass products plays a decisive role in the implementation of sustainability criteria. Highly functional solar control, heat protection and sound insulation glass also contributes to good energy-balance results, as do building- integrated photovoltaics. glasstec in Düsseldorf will offer an excellent overview of the already advanced developments in this key supply sector from 23 to 26 October 2012. This, the most important international glass trade fair, will be host to exhibitors from throughout the world showcasing their product solutions for sustainable construction. Energy efficiency and sustainability will also play a key role at the innovative show “glass technology live” and at the “FassadenCenter” which groups together renowned companies plus key associations concerned with the topic of building envelopes. The congress programme accompanying the trade fair also offers a great opportunity for exchanging ideas and discussion.
The chart shows the life cycle of a construction product. The phases included in the sustainability assessment depend on the certification system selected. Photo: IBU
Plus Energy House
The demand for resource-saving, sustainable construction also involves optimising energy-efficiency in buildings. The building sector has already achieved a great deal in this area over the past 20 years. However, the construction sector is still the largest energy consumer. This is largely due to outdated energy systems in existing buildings. It is therefore vital that the modernisation of energy systems be promoted. In the new building sector energy performance requirements are becoming ever more rigorous as a result of increasingly strict national goals. For instance, the EU guideline on overall building energy efficiency (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive – EPBD) demands as from 2021 the construction of “virtually zero energy buildings”. The remaining heating and cooling requirements of these structures must largely be met by renewable energies. Technologies for the realisation of these very ambitious goals are already available today. These technologies now merely need to be deployed systematically.
© 2012 Angel Business Communications. Permission required.
The H2 Office in Duisburg was awarded the Gold Certificate from the German Sustainable Building Council in the New Office and Administration Building category. Photo: Copyright: Duisburg Orco Germany
Issue I 2012 I
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