by Brianna Crandall — September 9, 2013—As more and more construction projects seek green building certification or otherwise strive for exemplary environmental performance, demand is growing for materials that, by virtue of their inputs, manufacturing processes, and in-use performance, reduce the environmental impacts associated with the buildings sector. One result, according to a recent report from Navigant Research, is that the buildings industry is making greater use of traditional materials and methods that have been superseded over the past several decades by materials science and building design driven by inexpensive fossil fuels and petrochemicals.
“Innovation in green materials is driving, in a sense, a regression, in which materials made from bio-based or quickly regenerating resources that are low in embodied energy and carbon, are re-emerging,” says Eric Bloom, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “Examples include timber structures and cladding, straw-bale construction, lime renders and mortars, cellulose insulation, bamboo flooring, and natural mineral and fiber floor coverings.”
In addition, advanced production technology and research and innovation in materials science are also contributing to the growth and versatility of green building materials. This applies to many incumbent products, where process efficiency is driving material advances and reductions in embodied impacts, according to the report. In other product classes, advanced technology in areas such as energy or process conversion (e.g., photovoltaics, thermochromic and electrochromic glass and windows, heat exchange systems, and electronically controlled drives and motors) is making advanced building design and performance both possible and affordable.
The report, Materials in Green Buildings, reviews the key market and regulatory trends that are contributing to the growing green building market, along with the commensurate growth in green building materials. Market forecasts, segmented by material element and material type and broken down by world region, are provided through 2020. The report includes profiles of more than 35 key industry players, along with detailed examinations of worldwide market drivers and barriers and technology issues. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research Web site.
Navigant Research is a market research and consulting team that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets.
