Silicone Solutions and Know-How Facilitate Growth of Sustainable Buildings Sector

Date: 2 September 2011

Dow Corning Experts Share Expertise to Support Advancement and Continued Learning of Industry ProfessionalsWith buildings accounting for 35 to 40 percent of all energy consumption, architects, engineers, contractors and materials suppliers are focusing their efforts on pioneering high-performance, sustainable structures that achieve energy efficiency goals, reduce carbon footprint, and minimize total lifetime costs.

Green buildings are good for the environment, the community, and the economy,” said Ron Fillmore, vice president, Construction, Dow Corning. “By using less energy, less water, and fewer material and natural resources, a green building greatly reduces its impact on the natural environment.”

A leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning materials are incorporated into many products that contribute to building performance, such as structural glazing, weatherproofing and insulating glass building applications, as well as photovoltaic solar panels, and energy efficient LED bulbs and fixtures.

To complement its product offering, Dow Corning also fosters the growth and expanded expertise of industry professionals. For example, Dow Corning technical experts and sellers host educational seminars with The American Institute of Architects (AIA), providing architects the opportunity to earn continuing education credits and deepen their architectural capabilities. The AIA sessions will soon be available online, enabling architects with continuous access and opportunity to draw upon Dow Corning expertise and other professional knowledge.

“Developing sustainable buildings requires many elements working together to create a world-class structure,” said Fillmore. “The extended learning and know-how of architects is vital, as they are an essential piece of the sustainable building process.”

In addition to the AIA continued learning sessions, Dow Corning also provides industry professionals with product information, technical expertise, design tools and other resources to create total building system solutions, based on decades of construction industry expertise, technical service, support resources, and customized construction services. Dow Corning offerings include:

* information regarding using silicone to achieve LEED credits;

* downloadable product selection guides, data sheets, application tutorials/seminars and technology developments;

* blueprint evaluations to ensure proposed applications meet Dow Corning joint standards for warrantable performance;

* videos demonstrating how silicone technology contributes to sustainable buildings; and,

* online order entry and sample requests.

“We recognize that developing a green building industry is essential, yet challenging; it requires the collective efforts of the design and construction industries to share best practices and new ideas to help scale-up the sector.” Fillmore said.

To learn more about Dow Corning’s full range of construction solutions, visit dowcorning.com/construction.

About Dow Corning

Dow Corning (dowcorning.com) provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning offers more than 7,000 products and services via the company's Dow Corning® and XIAMETER® (xiameter.com) brands. Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning's annual sales are outside the United States.