This document discusses the role of silicone technology in enabling more sustainable construction. It begins by introducing Dow Corning Corporation as a global leader in silicone products. Silicones provide advantages like durability and weather resistance that help buildings last longer. Sustainable design aims to consider environmental, social, and economic impacts. Silicones can help by improving energy efficiency in buildings through better insulation, windows, and facades. They also allow for lighter and more affordable construction materials. The document argues that silicone technologies will be important to address challenges in future mega-cities, through applications like solar energy generation, efficient lighting, passive house insulation, and more. It closes by calling for partnerships between industry, government, and academia to bring sustainable
Sustainable Construction Role Of Silicon Technology
1. Making Sustainable Construction a
Reality: The Role of Silicon Technology
Jean-Paul Hautekeer
Global Marketing Manager
Dow Corning Construction Business
Leonardo Energy webinar, November 20, 2009
2. ―The Good Building‖
Beijing‘s National Centre for the Performing Arts
Burj Dubai
Westin Diplomat Hotel
Guggenheim Museum
AOL Time Warner Building
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3. About Dow Corning Corporation
• Owned equally by The Dow Chemical Company
and Corning Incorporated
• Global leader of the silicone industry since 1943
• Nearly $5.5 billion in sales (in 2008)
• European Headquarters in Seneffe, Belgium
• 10,000 employees worldwide
• 20,000 customers worldwide
• 7,000 products and services
• More than 4,500 active patents
• Silicone sealants for 50 years
• Global construction support network
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4. The Silicone Advantage
• Virtually unaffected by weather -- rain, snow,
humidity, ozone, or the sun's damaging
ultraviolet rays -- for many years.
• Silicone architectural coatings typically last
twice as long as acrylic coatings, and silicone
building sealants typically last three times as
long as urethane sealants.
• Structural silicone sealants installed in
buildings around the world in the 1980s are still
performing today.
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5. Why are companies moving towards
sustainability?
• Protecting the environment while increasing economic
competitiveness:
– Dow Corning‟s research has found that 65 percent of business
leaders believe that developing environmentally sustainable
products is one of their top three priorities.
• A broad societal shift towards sustainability:
– Wider public support for sustainability and government initiatives
supporting sustainability
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6. What is Sustainable Design / Architecture?
“Sustainable design integrates consideration of resource and energy
efficiency, healthy buildings and materials, ecologically and socially
sensitive land use and an aesthetic that inspires, affirms and
enables.”
– International Union of Architects‟ “Declaration of
Interdependence for a Sustainable Future,” 1993
Social
Bearable Equitable Sustainable
Environment Viable Economic
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7. The ―Four P‖-Strategy of Sustainable
Design / Architecture
Project (Design Quality)
Prosperity / Profit
(Economic Quality)
People
(Social Quality)
Planet (Environmental Quality)
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8. Benefits of sustainable building
• Environmental benefits
– Increase buildings‟ energy efficiency
– Utilize renewable sources of energy
– Reclaimed & recycled materials
• Social benefits
– Improvement of daily life through natural light, cleaner air, comfortable
temperatures.
– No leaks, condensation or mold, fewer allergies thanks to better
insulation, sealing & materials
– Technology and economic developments
• Economic benefits
– Reclaimed materials can be less expensive
– Lower operating costs
– Need fewer light fixtures thanks to natural light
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11. Roles of Silicones as Enablers of Sustainable
Architecture
• Sustainable buildings requirements set by
governments:
– Energy efficiency and CO2 emission reduction targets
– Environmentally friendly materials
• Role of Silicones as Enabler in Sustainable Architecture:
– Energy efficient and durable façade systems for commercial
buildings
– Energy efficient silicone-bonded window systems (for residential and
commercial buildings)
– Lower organic emissions (VOC)
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13. The ‗City of the future‘
Mega-cities are a key trend shaping our future
How can current silicon/silicone technologies contribute to our future
cities‟ needs?
• Helping to produce solar and wind energy and efficient LED lights for
buildings and urban spaces
• Energy efficiency
• Making housing more affordable
through building innovation
• Clean water
• Enhanced safety
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14. Technology for future cities: Passive House insulation
Germany example
Today Passiv Haus
Envelope U-values ≤ 0.15 have significant implications for overall
design and cost options as wall thicknesses exceed today‟s norms
• Structural design • Building footprint size
• Joint complexity • Useable floor area
• Façade connections • Insulation / component weight
• Natural light utilization • Net-to-gross area ratios
• Aesthetics • Embedded energy costs
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15. Technology for future cities: Silicon-based Insulation
Performance and Vacuum Insulated Panels
Comparative thickness to achieve U-value target multi-layer envelope film
(Passiv Haus U-value ≤ 0.15, or R-value ≥ 38)
0.10 0.15 0.20
core bag
Si-core VIP
Aerogel Blanket
―Thin insulations‖
pressed silica core
Phenolic
Polyisocyanurate &
Polyurethane
Expanded Polystyrene
(EPS)
Mineral & Glass Wools
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 mm
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2‖ 4‖ 6‖ 8‖ 10‖ 12‖ 14‖ 16‖
16. How can we build the city—or the world—
of the future together?
• Apply companies‟ technology and know-how towards practical
changes
• Create government initiatives that fund R&D, support
demonstrations of technology and
the creation of infrastructure
• Develop close relationships
between businesses and universities
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