Leading experts and specialists in the field of construction and sustainability from across the globe were at the 12th edition of the Middle East Drymix Conference held in Sharjah, UAE, recently.

Sponsored by the University of Sharjah, the summit was held under the “For the Sustainability of Construction and Building Materials” slogan.  

The event saw experts discuss several key issues, ideas, initiatives, and proposals aimed at improving the world of construction and its sustainability.

Dr Hamid Majul Al Nuaimi, chancellor of the University of Sharjah, said: "Experts and specialists in this field sat together and discussed, within the objectives and domains of this conference, drymix mortar as compared to current materials used in building and construction, for which billions of dollars are spent in the country annually."

"This is in addition to the billions spent on such for maintenance and restoration as confirmed by national statistics," he added.

Prof Mufid Al Samarai, a senior advisor at Sharjah Research Academy Government of Sharjah and the chairman of the Drymix Middle East, said: "We took an opportunity at this conference to utilise it as a key platform for sustainable construction issues."

"The UAE has a leading role in this context in the region since the institutions, the bodies, and the officials are keen to apply the highest standards and practices of sustainability," he added.

Al Samarai pointed out that the conference had different sessions, on several issues in the field of construction and building materials; taking into consideration the sustainability issue, the environment, and the climate in the region.

This included humidity and high temperature, and how to deal with such matters at various levels and fields, in order to ensure longer stability and sustainability of construction, he added.

The panels discussed various aspects such as energy efficiency and durable construction, enabled by strong toolbox of chemistries by Dr Margarita Perello.

Another session focused on fire protection through ettringite materials by Dr Gautam Bhattacharya.

Other panels explored important studies and research, such as Dr Michael Monz’s session on improving the flexibility of the cementitious mortars by using lightweight aggregates, said the organisers.

Additionally, Rajit Kumar spoke about the sustainable premix render as an economic way to protect the buildings, it added.-TradeArabia News Service