Factors Influencing the Rise of Construction Glass in the Middle East
The Middle East’s glass sector has been investors’ first choice for a reason. Google a picture on the internet about glass as a building material, the search results are bound to show you the Aldar Headquarters Abu Dhabi, the Burj Khalifa Dubai, Kingdom Centre Tower Riyadh, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Tower, Doha Tower and a lot more.
But have we ever noticed why glass is such a popular material in the region and why the construction glass industry is booming? A region that is built on the desert with an extremely hot, arid and semi-arid desert climate is left with no option but to connect with nature and the surroundings artificially.
The natural sunlight that is experienced in almost all Middle Eastern countries makes it even more challenging to live. Glass on the other hand acts as an insulation material.
WFM Media - which is also one of our Media Partner for the 2nd Global Glass Show reported in their recent article that glass is incredibly versatile in construction, serving as insulation, a structural element, external glazing and cladding. Its beauty, light transmission and ability to pass up to 80% of natural daylight make it invaluable for energy efficiency and cost savings.
Another very promising factor about glass revealed in the article states that the rise of green technology in construction glass has further fueled the demand for glass in building envelopes, ensuring its enduring popularity and constant demand as a vital building material across the Middle East.
Via this blog, we will find out why in the Middle East we see buildings made of glass everywhere. Let’s begin
1) A Perfect Solution to Bring Natural Daylight: Glass facades are vital to allow natural light into the houses as well as provide complete transparency to enjoy the outdoor.
2) The Craze for Glass Facades and Glazing Surfaces: The Middle East is a hub of modern designs and architecture. In a recent report of Statista, until 2023, the region claimed the top spot with 11 impressive towers.
Cities like Mecca, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait have always come up with commendable architectural marvels.
3) Ever-growing Construction Glass Sector: Countries in the region are putting untiring effort into creating smart cities and encouraging foreign investments through open trade policies.
In a recent report by Atkins Realis, it has been revealed that the Middle East is gearing up to make an investment worth nearly U.S. $50 Bn that will facilitate the smart city projects by 2025 - giving the glass industry in the region, a great push.
On the other hand, one of the popular research portals has announced via their website, the TechSci Research report that in most countries including KSA, UAE, Qatar, Doha etc. the construction sector will evolve even more by 2028 and glass will be an ideal choice for the industry.
4) Constant Evolution: Glass is not just seen as the construction industry's best choice but instead is now taken to be an active part of building facades, adjusting to external conditions for energy savings and eco-friendly buildings. Dynamic glass, like electrochromic glass, can cut cooling energy use by 30% to 40% compared to other types with or without blinds.
5) Growth and Innovations: If we talk about a recent technology that is creating a buzz in the construction industry in the Middle East is the use of smart glass technology. By transitioning between clear and opaque states, smart glass technology products improve privacy, energy efficiency and aesthetics. This technology is used in a variety of settings, from business buildings to luxury houses, and it is likely to grow substantially in the future years.
This has been very well explained by us via our previous blog which is upon Growth and Innovations in the Glass Industry in the Middle East.
6) Green Building Ambitions: Ever since the sustainability wave has come into play in the region, leading countries like KSA, UAE, Oman etc have started working to lower the per capita CO2 emissions by integrating glass in their buildings. Not only it is sustainable but also environmentally safe. Most countries have decided to develop this field completely by 2050.
The construction glass industry is responsible for around 40% of global CO2 emissions, with cement production accounting for 8% of emissions. Due to the heat and widespread use of air conditioning and glass, buildings in the Middle East use a lot of energy, especially for cooling.
Building companies are therefore being urged to adopt more environmentally friendly procedures. These include utilizing recyclable and renewable resources, cutting waste and energy use throughout the building process and incorporating energy-efficient and green building components like solar panels and insulation.
Concluding this blog, we would also like to say that the best part of the Middle East’s construction sector is that the industry stands out for its commitment to global sustainability norms like LEED or WELL, alongside its development of regional standards such as Estidama in Abu Dhabi, Al Safat in Dubai or Barjeel in Ras Al Khaimah, specifically designed for local climate conditions.
To address these standards, the glass sector offers adaptable solutions that respond to external factors. Dynamic smart glass, capable of automatic adjustment and controlled transparency, plays a crucial role in enhancing sustainability in construction and meeting the region's unique environmental targets.
We are confident that more factors are influencing glass as a building material in the region. More blogs are underway and if you are from the glass industry and want to tap into the booming glass industry of the region, do come and exhibit your products and solutions in the 2nd Global Glass Show Dubai happening on 11th - 12th September 2024 in Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai.