Shanghai. Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) and the Bayer Foundation have announced a further collaboration with Tongji University for the establishment of the Bayer-Tongji Eco-Construction & Material Academy, the first of its kind in the field of construction and architecture industries in China.
"We are very pleased to work with Tongji University on this new Academy in order to enhance scientific knowledge about the use of innovative materials for sustainable solutions in the building construction market in China, while maintaining high quality and safety standards," says Peter Vanacker, member of the executive committee of BMS. "Tongji University is a leading university in the field of construction, architecture and material science and BMS is among the world's leading manufacturers of high-quality materials with core competencies in the field of construction. By establishing the Bayer-Tongji Eco-Construction & Material Academy, we aim to create a precious platform to leverage resources from leaders in both industrial and academic areas to support China in achieving its energy and environmental targets."
The Bayer-Tongji Eco-Construction & Material Academy, a total five-year investment of EUR 1.5 million, will be structured as a direct affiliate under Tongji's College of Material Science & Engineering. Through this academy, BMS and Tongji University will make joint efforts to promote China’s sustainable construction through education, research and talent development projects.
The Academy will provide regular classroom lectures and seminars about eco-construction and materials for students from Tongji University, as well as external industry players such as architects, developers and design institutes. With an aim to promote economical and sustainable construction materials and solutions, and enhance the industry's quality and safety awareness, the training content will be focused on energy efficiency, eco-construction and materials selection. In addition, BMS and Tongji University will conduct joint R&D projects to address the challenges China is facing to promote eco-construction & materials.
Cultivating talents
Talent development is key in all of Bayer’s partnerships with academic institutions, and will also be the case for the new Academy at Tongji University: To cultivate talents for China's construction industry, BMS will provide first-hand real-world internship opportunities for outstanding Tongji students. The Academy will also provide support for students' innovative projects, campaigns or initiatives in the field of eco-construction and materials.
"We believe science and education, as well as implementing high industry quality and safety standards, are crucial to promoting sustainable solutions for China’s construction industry," says Dr. Klaus Schaefer, President of BMS China. "By working closely with Tongji, we hope to contribute to building more climate-friendly buildings in China."
Professor Zhou Zuyi, Chairman of Tongji University Council, welcomed the collaboration, "Through this collaboration, our students and the industry will get exposure to new and existing knowledge in the construction industry. The joint education and research effort to bring about innovative climate friendly constructions technology are in line with the strategic aim of the Tongji University and the Government. The commitment and profound experience of Bayer in eco-construction and materials makes them an ideal partner for Tongji."
Eco-friendly construction materials
In China, the market for eco-friendly construction materials holds great potential, as China has surpassed the U.S. to become the largest construction market in the world. In China, buildings use more energy than iron, steel and cement industries combined. With China’s construction expenditures rising at 9.1 percent per annum through 2014, the saving potential in the building sector is huge in order to meet the country's target on carbon dioxide emission and energy intensity per unit GDP set in its 12th Five Year Plan (FYP), which is set to reduce by 17 percent and 16 percent respectively from 2010 levels by 2015.
As part of the 12th FYP, Shanghai targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 19 percent and energy intensity by 18 percent per unit GDP. To accomplish these progressive objectives, Shanghai will enforce high construction energy saving standards, build at least 10 million square meters of green buildings and establish low-carbon urban zones.
In view of this, Johannes M. Dietsch, President of Bayer Greater China Group says, "It is our sincere wish that this Academy can be a powerful talent incubator for China's construction industry to help the nation accomplish the ambitious energy saving targets." In addition to launching the Bayer-Tongji Eco-Construction & Material Academy, BMS also started the construction of China's first zero-emission office building in Qingdao this May, marking a new record in China’s sustainable construction. This zero-emission office building is the first project developed by Bayer and its partners in China under the Bayer EcoCommercial Building (ECB) program, which provides decision-makers in the construction industry with a unique portfolio of services and material solutions for energy efficient and economical construction.
