The environment will play an increasingly important role in the future of the Middle East construction industry, participants heard at a recent series of seminars in the UAE.

Held on Yas Island, the two-day series of talks was designed to mark the 350th anniversary of the France-based habitat manufacturer Saint-Gobain.

The opening speech was given by Ahmed Abdulmuttaleb Baharoon, acting director of Abu Dhabi’s Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI).

Four areas were identified as being of particular concern to the Middle East: water, the environment, comfort and well-being and the efficient use of energy.

The agenda included presentations from the region’s leading industrialists and environmental experts, as well as technical experts from Saint-Gobain companies around the world who had flown in to participate in the event.

Parallel sessions were held on Environmental impact, the multi-comfort building model, and energy savings in both buildings and industrial processes. Presenters represented the materials manufacturing industry, building consultants, the Middle East Acoustics Society, Abu Dhabi Education Council and the Masdar Institute, as well as other groups.

Gyproc Middle East’s technical and production specialists, themselves celebrating the 10th anniversary of operation in Dubai, gave a presentation on the newly launched site waste recycling service.

The special seminar event was the latest in a programme of events around the world to celebrate the anniversary of the Saint-Gobain Group, which was founded in 1665. On October 15th, an anniversary day will be celebrated worldwide by the group’s 160,000 employees.