International Copper Association urges use of copper to promote ME region’s green built environment

Copper Association (ICA), the apex body promoting the use and application of copper across various sectors, has urged developers and construction industry stakeholders in the Middle East to adapt the usage of energy efficiency materials to promote the region’s green built environment. 

With the focus of the region on infrastructure development, the use of copper will further enhance the energy use efficiency the buildings under construction, thus contributing to long-term sustainability benefits. 

Ravinder Bhan, the local representative of ICA, said: “One of the pressing challenges faced by urban policy makers in promoting sustainable development is the growing demand for energy, led by the massive infrastructure projects currently being undertaken. While there are concerted efforts to drive the creation of sustainable built environments, it is important that green best practices are integrated from the inception.” 

He added: “By adapting green building practices, overall operating expenses and costs in terms of repair and maintenance can be reduced in the long run. Buildings also have the greatest impact on climate change with increased consumption of electricity and natural gas by the residents that are powered by plants that contribute to carbon emissions. The use of copper can significantly enhance energy use efficiencies, and thus contribute to a greener environment.” 

Tom Dietsche, LEED Program Manager, US Green Building Council, explained: “Green Building projects that can earn LEED points include those that have incorporated recycled content materials, such as copper, which promotes sustainability and helps to reduce the impact of new material extraction on the environment." 

Copper is possibly the greenest commonly used architectural metal today. It plays an essential role in the modern building, from recycled cladding and roofing systems, to high-tech plumbing and heating systems using tube and fittings which are manufactured from recycled copper. 

Copper sheet is light in weight, easy to work and join, visually attractive and extremely durable. Copper alloys, such as bronzes and brasses (copper, alloyed with aluminium and zinc principally) are also used in architectural design, offering a variety of colours and finishes, combined with copper's exceptional characteristics. 

Copper is a key component of many energy-saving technologies including passive solar water heating systems, which employ copper to capture and convert sunlight into heat. Copper heat exchangers efficiently transfer the thermal energy absorbed by the solar collector to the home’s hot water system. “Sunlight is abundant in the Middle East region, renewable and, even where it is not readily available, can supplement a home’s hot water needs virtually cost-free once a system is installed,” added Bhan. 

It is one of the few architectural metals commonly used without the application of a coating or finish applied to retain and enhance its natural appeal and long life. Copper’s high ductility makes it easily formable - so it is easy to work with and ideal for cladding complicated details and shapes.