12.03.2009

Growth Market: Sustainable Building

It seems the the new mega trend SUSTAINABILITY represents a challenge at all levels for the economy in general, – it is also the greatest of opportunities at this time.

We are convinced: within short, the global financial crisis and the serious consequences of the climate change and the shortage of resources will (and must !) considerably change the frame conditions of the building industry – and, hence, of all those who deal with building materials, so, for instance, with floorings. There lies the opportunity – and also the opportunity for you!
Politics and experts from the entire added-value chain of the building industry realized this long ago and developed the most demanding certification system worldwide to assess buildings: the German Quality Label for Sustainable Building. It was launched by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) and the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs (BMVBS).
Already today, sustainability certificates for buildings are increasingly demanded by investors and, for example, in tenders of the federal government obligatory for potential contractors and manufacturers of construction materials.
With good reason – as, according to a recent study, certified buildings allow less and shorter vacancies, higher rents, and higher sale proceeds.
The consequence: sustainable real estates will, in the medium term, become market standard, conventional buildings will become problem buildings.

This means solid economic advantages for investors who intend to make investments in real, safe, and lasting values. To top it all, with a „green“ conscience: since the new quality label stands for eco-friendly, resource saving, healthy, and particularly economic buildings.
For the time being, the German Certification System (only) refers to commercial office and administration buildings. But in the course of the year, modified certification systems shall already follow for all kinds of buildings – new and old ones.
And this represents an opportunity for all those who deal with „certified“ construction products.