Evolving building regulations and shifting consumer expectations are redefining the baseline standards for construction practices today, calling for the adoption of sustainable construction. YTL Cement, Malaysia’s pioneer and largest building materials group, is leading the charge by partnering again with The Edge Malaysia to organise this year’s Sustainable Construction Symposium. With an aim to mobilise the industry to progress together in adopting sustainable construction practices, the event attracted regional industry leaders, key players, and experts who came together to share best practices as well as explore innovative ideas and strategies to take sustainable construction to the next level.

Rachel Yeoh, Executive Director, Strategy & Transformation of YTL Cement shared, “The theme for this year’s symposium, “Sustainable Construction: The Next Level,” speaks to how and what progress can look like. We are encouraged to see interest in eco-friendly building materials surge and with it, recognition that the shift towards sustainable construction demands a unified effort across all sectors. At YTL Cement we are actively engaging in multi-lateral collaborations to drive this change.”

Malaysia: Where We Are Today

Dato’ Sr Mohd Zaid Zakaria, Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia shared that the construction sector plays a significant role in Malaysia’s economy, contributing substantially to GDP and employment. Hence, the adoption of sustainable construction practices is no longer a choice but a necessity if the industry is to continue on its upward trajectory.

Over the past few decades, sustainable construction in Malaysia has witnessed significant advancements. Key milestones include the development of green building standards, integration of renewable energy, adoption of advanced technologies, as well as the incorporation of Industrialised Building Systems (IBS). These milestones have not only set new standards but also significantly reduced the industry’s environmental impact.

He also announced that CIDB would be rolling out the CREAM Eco Product (CEP) certification in October 2024, a voluntary product certification program that encourages holistic sustainable construction practices. The certification not only considers environmental criteria but also incorporates social and governance practices, thus setting future standards and mobilisation of an industry-wide transition towards sustainable construction.

Meanwhile, Dr Ir Ho Hon Sang, the President of the Real Estate & Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) Malaysia shed light on the reality of Malaysia’s sustainable construction progress. He noted that the building and construction industry contributed RM 56.7 billion to the GDP of Malaysia in 2023. However, 24% of the industry’s total carbon emission is predominantly contributed by material consumption, followed by construction site emissions and transportation. Faced with that reality, he added that it is therefore imperative for the nation to remain committed to reducing carbon emissions by 45% in 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

He also proposed that there should be further incentives from the government such as financing, grants, and tax incentives for sustainability-related research and development (R&D), as well as initiatives to raise awareness and nurture talents through universities and schools.

Reaching Greater Heights with Merdeka 118

As part of the sharing session during the Sustainable Construction Symposium, attendees had the opportunity to delve deeper into understanding how Merdeka 118 was built by adopting sustainable construction practices in every possible aspect.  Presenting a case study on the rise of the world’s second tallest building, YM Tengku Dato’ Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud, the Chief Executive Officer of PNB Merdeka Ventures, shared the engineering marvel that went behind the scenes of the landmark skyscraper. 

During its construction, builders incorporated pollution control technologies such as rainwater run-off management, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and mould prevention plans, waste management systems and more. Through sustainable site planning and management, interesting sustainable features of the project included:

• Bike racks at parking bays for alternative low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicle options
• Open spaces with extensive water features for cooler microclimate
• 100% rainwater harvesting systems and 100% non-potable water use for irrigation
• 28.5% energy cost savings over baseline due to design efficiencies and innovations
• Regenerative AC drives for elevator lifts

Today, these innovations have contributed to Merdeka 118's achievement of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification. The building aims to be the first in Malaysia to receive the Triple Green Platinum Certification, as they are in the midst of applying for the GreenRE and Green Building Index (GBI) certification.

Levelling Up Sustainable Building Materials

Clarisse Loh, Head of Sustainability at YTL Cement emphasised the need for collaborative efforts and shared commitment to drive meaningful change. During her presentation, she highlighted that sustainable building materials must meet several criteria which include construction safety standards, ensure no harm towards occupant’s health, have improved environmental impact, and are durable in the long run.

Meeting the construction sector’s demands, YTL Cement has launched its ECO Product Range that offers low-carbon alternatives, empowering industry players to pursue more sustainable building practices, and as a result, enabling lower CO2 emissions of up to 50% and lower embodied carbon of up to 60%.

Clarisse also shared how YTL Cement is continuously pushing the envelope through innovative R&D work. Some of the ongoing projects include: 

• Project CEM-y: Exploration of alternative materials that could be activated as cement replacement
• Project ReCapt: Development of new generation ultra-low carbon concrete with CO2 sequestration
• Project ReGen: Research of microalgae as a CO2 biocapture. 

Learning from the Very Best

Beyond local shores, this year’s Symposium also featured special presentations by regional experts. Dr Yang Sung-Min, the Associate Principal/Urban Designer of SAMOO Architects & Engineers in South Korea presented the Oceanix floating city on the coast of Busan. He highlighted the impact of the climate crisis in Korea and how a floating city was a solution to tackling the rising sea levels. 

Closer to home, Ar Seah Chee Huang the Chief Executive Officer of DP Architects Singapore also shared his insights on ways to tackle extreme weather by designing circular architectures and closed-loop systems. He presented best practices from Singapore in terms of sustainable construction methodologies and ways to harness the power of technology.

Taking Sustainable Construction to the Next Level

To transition towards a sustainable construction industry, there is no doubt that all stakeholder groups must collaborate and progress under a shared mission. Attendees at this year’s Symposium acknowledged that collaboration forms the bedrock of success, with each stakeholder fulfilling a crucial role. 

“Let's not be constrained by the current way we do things. Technology and process mastery are fundamental to growth,” concluded Clarisse.  “Ultimately, collaboration is the essence of success for Malaysia’s construction sector.”

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