Global Green Building Materials and Construction, 2nd Edition

Additional Information

Market Insights: A Selection From The Report

Green Certification Initiatives
To help make green construction a widely recognized, understood, and accepted building practice a number of standards and certification programs have been developed both in the United States and around the world.  These certification programs have made it possible to more clearly delineate what constitutes a “green building” but there are literally hundreds of green certifications with their own slant on what it takes to be “green”.  This section describes some of the more well-known programs and highlights common principle as well as differences.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™

The term “green” is increasingly used to denote product, services, and development that is “environmentally friendly”.  Still, “green,” remains a vague and ill-defined concept.  To better define and certify what green construction should entail, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - a nonprofit organization committed to “a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings” -  developed the LEED® green building certification program to rate the way buildings are designed, constructed, and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.  LEED®, which is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system, addresses all types of buildings emphasizing state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.  It is the most recognized and widely accepted green rating system in the United States, and perhaps the world since LEED projects are in progress in 41 countries.

New York, August 26, 2010 - Renewable energy is receiving a big push from the Obama Administration and from governments around the globe. Stimulus packages and government incentives for green technology has created jobs and established new industry, which in turn has sparked a brighter outlook on the world's economy. Going into 2011 and beyond, SBI Energy has identified six clean energies that will not only gain double-digit growth in the next five years, but will also alter the lifestyle we know today.

Green Building Materials and Construction - Traditional construction creates considerable debris which ends up in our landfills, soil and fresh water supply. Furthermore, inefficient materials used in construction produce higher energy bills for the homeowner. The judicious use of recycled materials, lumber that is harvested from sustainable forests, more efficient insulation and windows, and improved construction techniques can drop energy bills for consumers while reducing the need for raw materials simultaneously. Market research performed by SBI Energy forecasts the size of the global green building materials market to grow to over $580 billion by 2015 from about $160 billion in 2010. This represents a growth rate of 21% CAGR which is significant but understandable in light of increasing demand for products that save energy and minimize harmful environmental effects.

Enhanced Oil Recovery - EOR refers to a variety of oil producing methods, by which 70% - 90% more oil is produced from oil wells than is typically extracted by conventional oil production methods. Some of the more common EOR methods include steam, gas or chemical injection, which improve the viscosity of the oil, enabling the oil to flow more freely out of the well. More oil indicates lower prices. SBI Energy estimates dollars from EOR will climb steadily with some gentle fluctuations. SBI's analysts calculate the EOR market will experience a compound average growth rate (CAGR) of 63% per year over the 6-year span to total $1.3 trillion in 2015.

Solar Technology - We've all seen the solar panels on residential home roofs and today energy providers are multiplying this concept by installing large solar farms and using concentrated solar power (CSP) technology to supplement power demands. Electricity from CSP technology is generated like conventional electricity, except solar power is used to heat the boiler instead of fossil fuels. Global CSP installations are just getting started and SBI Energy expects to see real growth in the segment beginning in 2012.CSP is the fastest growing segment within the solar technologies, going from $0.7 billion in 2010 to $3 billion in 2014, a CAGR of 42% for the period. Including systems and panels, SBI Energy sees the world solar market growing to $173 billion in 2014 - a CAGR of 28%.

Offshore Wind Farms - Coastal area will have a new view as nations increasingly harness the renewable energy generated by the fierce winds a few miles off their shorelines. During the next five years, SBI Energy expects offshore wind farms to crop up at a much faster pace than land-based turbines. Leading manufacturers of turbines and components are riding the wave of production expected to result from growing interest in offshore projects, such as the recent approvals of Cape Wind in Massachusetts and The Offshore Wind Economic Development Act in New Jersey. Helping them accelerate their offshore initiatives are government cash and tax incentives that promote renewable energy development, particularly in Europe and the U.S. "States are leading the way in off-shore wind development because it spurs economic development, helps to stabilize energy costs, and moves our country towards energy independence in a sustainable fashion," comments Donald Carcieri Governor of Rhode Island. SBI Energy forecasts the global market to grow at a five-year CAGR rate of 11% to reach more than $78 billion. The fastest growth will come from the U.K., which will more than double its offshore market value to reach nearly $5 billion in 2015.

Electric Vehicles - For years the marketing and advertising from government and car companies alike have boldly stated that electric cars will take over the car industry “real soon now.” Now, electric vehicles, in the form of hybrids that combine both gas and electric motors, are finally beginning to do just that. The world populace is accepting hybrid electric vehicles, giving them equal weight as an option in their car purchases. Just how quickly this market will grow depends on several factors including gas prices, government incentives and vehicle price. According to market research from SBI Energy worldwide hybrid electric vehicle sales will double from just under 700,000 units sold in 2009 to 1.5 million passenger hybrid vehicles sold in 2014. Exponential HEV market growth will occur in smaller existing markets such as Europe, Australia and South Korea, and in new markets such as India and China where product sold will increase from 95,000 vehicles in 2010 to 440,000 vehicles in 2014, a phenomenal 47% compound annual growth rate.

Smart Grid Technologies - Implementing and integrating all of the renewable energies is somewhat contingent on the upgrade of our existing dilapidated 100 year old electrical grid to a powerful sophisticated smart grid system. The smart grid can be seen in broad outline as an architectonic structure consisting of three major sectors: grid infrastructure; information and communications technology (ICT); and applications and software (A/S). Despite consumer concerns over privacy and cost regulation, the smart grid will encourage clean energy production and ensure reliable electrical supply to the world through digital grid operation and a distributed network. SBI Energy sees the global smart grid market soaring upward nearly 150% between 2009 and 2014, reaching $171 billion in 2014. Meanwhile, the U.S. market is projected to double over the timeframe to about $43 billion by 2014.

SBI Reports has been leading industrial market research reporting for more than a decade. The brand established SBI Energy to address the complex nature of the Energy and Resources industry. SBI Energy reports capture data vital to emerging energy market sectors on a global scale. Growth of energy technology, manufacturing, construction, transportation and investment is exciting in its innovations and opportunities, and integral to the advancement of security and science. SBI relies upon only the most experienced analysts with excellent credentials, years of industry experience, and the trust of colleagues and peers.

Research for this article is based on the following market studies from SBI Energy:

EOR Enhanced Oil Recovery Worldwide

Electric Vehicle (EV) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Markets Worldwide

Smart Grid and Consumers

Global Green Building Materials and Construction, 2nd Edition

Offshore Wind Farm Manufacturing Worldwide

U.S. Solar Energy Market World Data, 2nd Edition: PV, Solar Thermal, CSP

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Green Building Renovations to Increase Through 2015

New York, April 29, 2010 - Green building renovations are defying the downward spiral seen in the general market for renovation work. As a result, green building retrofits that promote efficient energy usage are anticipated to increase substantially through 2015 and emerge as the “new normal” in the building industry, according to leading market research firm SBI Energy in the recently released report Global Green Building Materials and Construction, 2nd Edition.

Green renovations currently account for about 7% of the total renovation market, and are anticipated to grow to 13% of the market by 2015. Much of the sector’s growth can be attributed to stimulus funding throughout the world for energy efficiency improvements, though green building materials have shown that they are cost effective alternatives to standard building components and are increasingly in demand by businesses and homeowners alike. Rising energy costs and diminishing fuel resources will also continue to push energy efficiency measures, both for construction and for manufacturing.

“The majority of the world’s buildings are old and waste energy. We anticipate the building industry will see a significant increase in green building renovation to make structures more energy efficient, particularly since these types of retrofits pay for themselves after only a few years,” says Bernie Galing, SBI Energy analyst and author of the report.

In the green construction arena, an increasing number of builders are building more green homes and offices as a means to differentiate themselves from their competitors and as a way to weather a poor building environment. Green homes and buildings are not only in high demand, but they command a price premium when they are purchased or sold. In addition, green rental properties have higher occupancy rates and also command higher rents. With better designs, improved green building materials, and advanced construction techniques, green buildings are more durable, last about twice as long, use less energy, and have less of an impact on the environment than standard construction.

Global Green Building Materials and Construction, 2nd Edition provides a comprehensive assessment of both green building materials and green construction, cost considerations that have limited their growth, government incentives that have spurred their growth, consumer and business demand, potential opportunities for additional growth, and an assessment of developing technologies that are making green building products and green construction the “new normal”. Projected growth through 2015 for both of these markets is provided including discussion of economic conditions, environmental impacts, consumer-business-builder acceptance, stakeholder concerns, and government activities as they affect growth rates.

About SBI Energy
SBI Energy, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes research reports in the industrial, energy, building/construction, and automotive/transportation markets. SBI Energy also offers a full range of custom research services.

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Global Green Building Materials and Construction - Blog Piece

The world is going green. Of this I have no doubt. As I sit here writing about green building materials and construction on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, it is becoming abundantly clear that “green” in all its forms has become mainstream. 

Sure, everyday products such as detergents and cleaning products have been available and advertised for years. Organic foods are widely available, if still a little pricey. EnergyStar labels can be readily found on products ranging from light bulbs to appliances, as they have been for many years. References to energy efficiency, electric automobiles, wind and solar power, and water conservation among many other “green” concerns are replete throughout the media in all its forms. I have even overheard casual conversations about pending cap-and-trade legislation on several occasions. 

What I have found lacking in the green marketplace is a concerted effort to advertise green building products and green construction. Although large well-known building supply centers - particularly The Home Depot and Lowes - now carry green building products and materials they have not done anything other than rudimentary and unimaginative advertising. One still has to look hard to find green building products in these stores as they are not very well displayed. Instead of large and distinctive signage indicating the location and proclaiming the benefits of green building products, one still has to look carefully at labels on each product. Where’s the differentiation? Where’s the call to action? Why isn’t this a bigger deal?

However, I have lately seen some indications that green building materials and construction is taking flight. While researching and writing this report I paid particular attention to casual mainstream media references to these topics as this would be a sign (at least to me) that green building materials and construction were no longer “special” topics. While such references were few and far between, in the past month I have seen several TV commercials from home builders touting their new “green” homes. The April 2010 issue of U.S News & World Report was devoted to the “Future of Energy” with a number of articles devoted to green construction and renovation. The April 22, 2010 edition of USA Today included “Blueprint for a green house”, an in-depth article about one woman’s experience in building a custom green home and some lessons everyone should consider when building “green”. While these are but a few examples it seems to me that the words “green” and “construction” are at last being “heard” through mainstream consumer media sources and have become part of the normal discourse and lexicon.

This is not to say that green building materials and construction have “arrived”. It only means that people are now starting to notice. The benefits of building green still need to be delivered to the masses and the costs for green products and construction still need some improvement. However, as the economy improves and home sales spick up, there will be a great opportunity to deliver this message.

One of the ways I think the benefits of building green can be delivered to the masses is to emphasize the unique products that have been developed and the advantages of using them. Having experienced the insulation capabilities of adobe brick (which is made from dirt and straw - can’t get much “greener” than that!) while living in New Mexico, I think much interest could be generated from products that are green and “out of the ordinary”. Oryzatech’s Lego-like STAK BLOCKS (made from rice straw) and Black Mountain’s sheep wool insulation are examples of two unique building products that are green and perform better and last longer than “standard” building products and could generate consumer interest.

I’d also like to use more green building products since I am doing several remodeling projects on my house. However, unless I see these products in a store or a home show or advertised in the newspaper I’m unlikely to find and use them. I’ll look on the internet but if shipping is too expensive I’ll buy something else locally. This just about sums up the biggest issue with green building materials - people don’t know about them and when they do, they are often hard to find (or too expensive). So, I’m hoping for a breakthrough in these two areas (soon). There’s a lot to do around the house.