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KUALA LUMPUR: In the unveiling of Bayer Co (M) Sdn Bhd’s affordable and sustainable prototype house recently, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Judin Abdul Karim announced that the construction sector’s regulatory body is considering its implementation in Kedah.

“We are evaluating the implementation of this technology for building 200 sustainable homes in Kedah. 

“Energy-efficient building from Bayer MaterialScience will be combined with renewable energy in cooperation with other business partners of Bayer MaterialScience such as Philips, Schneider and local builders,” Judin said at the CIDB Industralised Building System Show Village site, where the prototype is housed.

The 1,142 sq ft house was part of the Affordable Housing Project undertaken by Bayer Co’s polymer manufacturing arm, Bayer MaterialScience, together with CIDB, and marked the beginning of a successful long-term venture between Bayer Co and CIDB towards a more sustainable construction industry.

It took some five weeks to erect the house that was commissioned last August. 

Bayer MaterialScience is one of the world’s largest polymer companies that manufactures composite construction materials with insulation properties to make homes cooler, and flood, wind and fire-resistant.

The company builds houses using its lightweight polyurethane composite panels that can be installed easily and quickly. This reduces construction time by as much as 35% as compared with using precast concrete. The panels can also be easily loaded onto standard family-sized trucks to facilitate easy construction in remote areas.

The polyurethane panels also have insulation properties to make the house more energy efficient by reducing the temperature in the house, leading to lower electricity consumption as well as reducing its carbon footprint.

“The model house brings us a step closer towards sustainable development, and affordable and comfortable housing to low-income families,” said Bayer MaterialScience executive committee member responsible for sustainability Richard Northcote.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who was present at the unveiling, said the Affordable Housing Project is in line with the government’s aim to build one million affordable house for the people. 

CIDB is expected to leverage Bayer Co’s technical know-how in sustainable housing, in line with its recently proposed establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Infrastructure that will serve as a knowledge-sharing platform to promote better living conditions for communities.

Among other partners who contributed to  the development of the model house were PU Profile Sdn Bhd, Square Panels and Philips Malaysia.

 

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 20, 2015.

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