A total of 14 innovative products, including 13 LED luminaires, represent significant product developments and improvements to the lighting industry. PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cooper Lighting, a leader at the forefront of transforming the lighting industry and setting an unmatched standard for innovation and reliability, announces that 14 of its innovative and reliable products – include 13 LED luminaires – have been recognized by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Progress Committee as providing "an advancement in the art and science of lighting." Announced at the 2012 IES Annual Conference held this month, the products are featured in the 2012 IES Progress Report, which presents significant developments and improvements in the lighting industry over the past year. The accepted products were presented at the IES Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minn., which took place November 11-13. The 2012 IES Progress Report will be featured in the January 2013 issue of the Society's monthly magazine, Lighting Design + Application (LD+A). The Report will also be posted on the IES website and presented by IES Sections throughout the year at section meetings. Cooper Lighting continues to make significant investments to empower its customers with the innovations, technology, and resources needed to meet the challenges of the future. The company delivers a wide range of innovative and reliable lighting, LED, and controls solutions, all specifically designed to maximize performance, energy efficiency and cost savings. For additional information, visit www.cooperlighting.com.

Portland Facility Demonstrates Commitment to Community Through Several Service Projects WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Holcim (US) Portland facility is participating in a year-long community service initiative to mark the centennial anniversary of its parent company, Holcim Ltd. Holcim (US), one of the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of cement and mineral components, is celebrating its 100-year anniversary by participating in Together for Communities, an initiative in which employees lead local volunteer projects. Together for Communities builds on the Holcim mission and extends the values that are essential to creating the highest quality products. Holcim Ltd hopes to engage as many of its 80,000 worldwide employees as possible to volunteer for one day in their community. Because Holcim recognizes employees have unique knowledge of their communities, each project is employee-led and geared toward local needs. Though each volunteer activity is driven by local needs, the initiative is a global one.

BUDAPEST, Hungary, Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GRAPHISOFT, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software developer for architects, is proud to announce that ArchiCAD 16 has won three prestigious awards at the seventh annual Construction Computing Magazine Awards in the UK. Affectionately known as 'The Hammers,' the Construction Computing Awards showcase and reward the technology, tools and solutions for the effective design, construction, maintenance, and modification of commercial buildings, residential and social housing and civil engineering projects of all sizes. In addition to the main category of Product of the Year, GRAPHISOFT also took home awards in 2012 for BIM Product of the Year for ArchiCAD 16, and Mobile Product of the Year for BIMx; the company was also runner up for the Environmental Project of the Year involving EuroBuild and their M-Labs project.

Merak signifies strength and durability, owing its name as a pointer star to the North Star in the Big Dipper Constellation. West Caldwell, New Jersey – Offering street lighting with performance and style that fits into a broad range of outdoor environments, MaxLite® has introduced energy efficient Merak(TM) LED Roadway Street Lighting Fixtures for departments of transportation, utility providers, and municipality and interstate market segments. This leading global manufacturer and marketer of the award-winning MaxLED® line of innovative LED luminaires and lamps has launched these new LED Roadway Streetlights to illuminate streets, roadways, pedestrian walkways, bikeways and parking lots in parks, corporate and school campuses and municipalities. The series is offered in 30- to 240-watt models that replace 70- to 500-watt high pressure sodium cobra head fixtures and deliver up to 23,300 lumens, to support main and ancillary streets. Additional wattages are available upon request. Each model is available in 5000K correlated color temperature (CCT) in three IES beam distribution types; other distributions are available as special order. View the data sheet: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.maxlite.com/PDFs/DataSheets/MELR-ROADWAYLIGHT.ds.pdf.

Booth Demonstrations Feature Technology How-tos with All-New Epson SureColor T-Series for Technical Printing and Chance to Win Epson SureColor T3000 24-inch Plotter LAS VEGAS, Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Autodesk University, Booth #645 -- Epson America will offer hands-on demonstrations of its new line of large-format color plotters at Autodesk University 2012 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas this week. Epson's booth (#645) will showcase the new T-Series line – the Epson® SureColor® T3000, T5000 and T7000 – designed specifically for today's engineering and scientific professionals, including live demos and a variety of output samples on different media types. In addition, attendees are invited to stop by to enter for a chance to win an Epson SureColor T3000 24-inch plotter at the show.

ClickSafety selected as exclusive provider of online safety training for professionals via BlueBookUniversity.com WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ClickSafety, a leading provider of online safety training, today announced a partnership with The Blue Book Building and Construction Network to introduce BlueBookUniversity.com, an extensive training and continuing education resource for construction and building industry professionals. ClickSafety will be the exclusive provider of online safety training through BlueBookUniversity.com’s School of Safety website. In addition to the School of Safety, BlueBookUniversity.com also will feature training on architecture, construction and general business. It will provide direct access to a comprehensive database of continuing education courses, programs and publications targeted to architects, engineers, contractors, owners, facility managers and other industry professionals. The new website officially debuted at the Greenbuild International Expo on Nov. 14 in San Francisco. “Understanding the industry’s growing need for quality online education, we are excited to provide BlueBookUniversity.com as a viable and beneficial solution for construction professionals,” said Rich Johnson, Blue Book Network president. “We’re very pleased to partner with ClickSafety, a known leader in online training, to deliver high-quality, effective and comprehensive safety training. We are confident that this new solution will provide thousands of construction professionals with the opportunity to sharpen their safety skills in an efficient and simple manner.” “The Blue Book Network has long held a strong reputation for helping members build their businesses through workflow solutions,” added Brian Tonry, executive vice president and general manager of ClickSafety. “We’re very excited to be a part of their newest industry resource, the BlueBookUniversity.com. The School of Safety will ensure that Blue Book Network members have unprecedented access to OSHA and construction, environmental and general industry safety courses, ultimately resulting in increased awareness of, and responsibility for, safety on the job.” One of the key reasons for BlueBookUniversity.com’s selection of ClickSafety as its safety training provider is ClickSafety’s long-standing relationship with OSHA and its ability to offer more than 300 courses and 50 in Spanish. ClickSafety was the first to offer both the OSHA 10-Hour Construction and the 30-Hour Construction Courses online. ClickSafety is OSHA-authorized to offer the newly updated OSHA 10-Hour Construction, 30-Hour Construction and 10-Hour General Industry courses that include the highest standards of increased student interactivity and safety content. In addition to the updated OSHA courses, the company offers the 10-Hour Road Builder, 10-Hour Cal/OSHA and 10-Hour Construction Spanish courses. Some of the courses available to employees of Blue Book Network member firms include Focus Four prevention: Fall protection, electrocution, struck-by, caught-between; Mold in construction; EM 385-1-1 safety courses, among others. For more information, visit BlueBookUniversity.com.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (November 14, 2012) American Hydrotech, Inc., a recognized leader in the development and distribution of premium waterproofing and roofing products, today announced 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the company’s flagship product – Monolithic Membrane 6125® - a unique waterproofing membrane offering proven performance on roofs, vegetated roofs, plazas, vertical foundations, reflecting pools and other structures. Since American Hydrotech’s founding in 1977, this product has been at the core of the company’s roofing assembly innovations, and trusted by architects and designers in projects spanning across more than two billion square feet of roofing and waterproofing in more than 36 countries. “I have specified [Monolithic Membrane 6125] for over 32 years on many projects all over the world and once installed, the clients have never had a single issue with it in service,” said Tim Taylor, Director of Specifications for Gensler. “My confidence in the product and the excellence of the people that make up its global organization remains unshakable after all these years.” Monolithic Membrane 6125, a hot fluid-applied, rubberized asphalt used for waterproofing, was developed in 1963 by Uniroyal Ltd. American Hydrotech was founded in 1977 after acquiring the United States distribution rights for the product. Since that time, the company has continued on the path of innovation and dedication to the industry by offering a number of new products and roof assemblies, such as The Ultimate Assembly® (STYROFOAM® insulation, Architectural Pavers, pedestals and supports) and Garden Roof® Assemblies. In addition to proven technology and commitment to innovation, American Hydrotech continues to deliver the best and brightest professionals and offers superior customer service to clients, all to make innovative design a reality, while meeting the ever-changing demands of the building industry and environmental challenges. “It has been an honor and privilege to collaborate and innovate with premier architects, builders, developers and owners across the globe on some of the most prestigious, important and compelling structures of our time,” said David Spalding, President of American Hydrotech. “Monolithic Membrane 6125 has delivered unsurpassed performance history for 50 years, and as a company, Hydrotech stands by this performance, as we are committed to industry excellence – in customer service, innovation and integrity.” In celebration of the company’s legacy and innovation for 50 years, American Hydrotech has published a classics book which features a sampling of some of the most compelling structures designed by today’s leading architects and design firms who have partnered with American Hydrotech and continued to leverage the company’s technology.

Duradek, the leader in vinyl deck waterproofing since 1974, has the most tested vinyl membrane in the North American building industry with Duradek Ultra waterproof vinyl. The CCMC has completed its testing requirements for the 2012 review of Duradek Ultra and has renewed their CCMC Evaluation Report #13134-R which is valid until 2016. The CCMC has determined that Duradek Ultra is an acceptable PVC Sheet-Applied Waterproof Decking Membrane in compliance with the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2010. CCMC has tested and rated Duradek Ultra as: • A traffic coating subject to pedestrian traffic. • A walkable roofing membrane over habitable space. CCMC’s acceptance criteria requires walkable PVC decking membranes be tested for slip resistance; and as a roofing membrane, requires fire testing. Duradek is the Most Tested Vinyl on the Market Today! While there are many vinyl products on the market, Duradek is proud to present their testing results for both Canada and the United States to show that Duradek Ultra is the most tested and approved waterproof membrane for use on balconies, decks, patios and roof top decks, and that it meets or exceeds the requirements of most North American Building Codes.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After a final "speed dating" round, Saint-Gobain, the world leader in the habitat and construction markets, and the U.S. Green Building Council – Northern California Chapter (USGBC-NCC) announced today the three winners of the NOVA Innovation Competition 2012 held this year at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in San Francisco. The NOVA Innovation Competition rewards start-ups offering the most innovative solutions in the field of habitat, energy and the environment. After being held twice in France and once in Germany, the international Saint-Gobain NOVA Innovation Competition occurred in the USA for the first time. Heliotrope, the winner of the competition was awarded the top cash prize of $50,000 (about €38,000). Based in Oakland, CA, Heliotrope is a developer of energy-efficient electrochromic (EC) glass that switch reversibly between three states: solar transparent, heat blocking, and heat and light blocking (i.e. darkened). PlanGrid, the second-place winner received a cash-prize of $25,000 (about € 19,000). Based in San Francisco, Calif., PlanGrid is a complete collaborative platform for construction information and the fastest PDF viewer in the universe. SmarterShade, the third-place winner was awarded a cash-prize of $10,000 (about €7,700). Based in South Bend, Indiana, SmarterShade is a unique approach to the emerging technology being called "smart windows." A user can control the amount of light and heat entering a home or office through controlling the tint level on their window. The bigger prize for all NOVA Innovation Competition contestants is the opportunity to partner with Saint-Gobain in exploring potential joint development, licensing or other collaboration agreements.

SHANGHAI, Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM in association with the China Chamber of Commerce for Metals, Mineral and Chemicals Importers and Exporters (CCCMC) is delighted to announce the launch of Concrete Show China which will take place from 26-28 June 2013 at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre. Concrete Show China will provide the perfect platform to meet and network with industry professionals during three days in a dynamic and focused business environment. The event will bring together buyers and suppliers to experience and interact with a full range of concrete products and services, enhance industry knowledge and engage in ground breaking discussion. Together, these will present a powerful opportunity to build essential business contacts and networks. Concrete Show China will be the latest addition to the global Concrete Show portfolio which includes the highly successful Concrete Show South America which took place from 29-31 August 2012 in Sao Paulo. "We welcomed over 500 exhibitors from 25 countries to the three day event which is the largest event for this sector in Latin America," said Claudia Godoy, Managing Director, UBM Sienna. Concrete Show South East Asia will take place from 24-26 October 2013 at the Jakarta International Expo and Concrete Show India will take place from 13-15 March 2014 in Mumbai. The shows will feature outdoor machinery displays as well as practical product information in a highly interactive environment. For more information, visit www.concreteshowchina.com.

BOURNE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Onset (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.onsetcomp.com), a leading supplier of data loggers and weather stations, today announced the HOBO® Green Roof Monitoring System, a research-grade system for measuring the performance of green roofs. Providing reliable performance in harsh rooftop conditions, the 15-channel system enables users to quickly and easily monitor green roof conditions, measure stormwater runoff, improve irrigation scheduling, and maintain healthy rooftop vegetation. Key advantages: • 24/7 web-based access to data • All the common green roof measurements: temperature, relative humidity, wind, soil moisture, light intensity, and rainfall • Plug-and-play sensors that enable fast easy deployment • Customizable data display for kiosks • Trend logging, monitoring, and alarm notifications System Availability The HOBO Green Roof Monitoring System is available from Onset immediately and includes a HOBO U30 GSM-cellular data logger with one-year service plan, Smart Sensors for measuring rainfall, soil moisture, soil temperature, solar radiation, air temperature/relative humidity, wind speed and direction, as well as mounting brackets and a 6-Watt solar panel. Optional mounting masts, tripods, graphing & analysis software, and additional sensors are also available. To learn more about green roof monitoring and the HOBO Green Roof Monitoring System, please visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.onsetcomp.com/green-roof-monitoring.

Challenge created to inspire safe and healthy materials for affordable homes SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- It's a new era for the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM program. Today at Greenbuild the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute announced details on version 3.0 of the certification, as well as a new Product Innovation Challenge with $250,000 to be awarded to three winners. Partnering with Make It Right, the Institute's goal is to drive innovation in safe and healthy building materials based on Cradle to Cradle principles. The Product Innovation Challenge The Institute challenges companies to design a product for the affordable housing market that meets the Cradle to Cradle Certified Program criteria. The product must be superior in its concern for human health, have a positive environmental impact, and be designed for reuse. The goal is to inspire rethinking common materials such as PVC-based products, drywall, coatings and finishes, and products such as home furnishings. The winners will share a cash prize of $250,000. The grand prize is $125,000. Second place wins $75,000, and third will receive $50,000. Entries may be submitted starting immediately and submissions are due no later than June 30, 2013. Winners will be announced at Greenbuild in November 2013. The challenge is possible because of the generous support of the Dutch Postcode Lottery and the Schmidt Family Foundation's 11th Hour Project. Full contest details including rules and instructions for entering are available at c2cCertified.org/challenge .

Selected from more than 2,200 environmentally preferable products GeoSpring™ is the first hybrid electric hybrid electric ENERGY STAR®-qualified water heater assembled in the U.S. Product will save an average consumer $325 every year on their utility bills Greenbuild 2012 LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Appliances’ new products, as part of its billion-dollar investment through 2014, continue to gain positive recognition. Today, BuildingGreen named GE’s GeoSpring™ hybrid electric water heater to its Top-10 list of green building products for 2013. GE began production of GeoSpring in February. GeoSpring is an ENERGY STAR®-qualified water heater that was selected for its energy savings and its innovative technology. BuildingGreen’s Top-10 list was selected by BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of GreenSpec and Environmental Building News (EBN). The products featured on the list are those added to the GreenSpec Directory or covered in Environmental Building News during the past year.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Asserting its leadership in the sustainable building industry, Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) today announced receipt of UL-certified ISO compliant Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its Unfaced and Kraft-Faced EcoTouch® PINK® FIBERGLAS™ Insulation with PureFiber® Technology and its Unbonded LooseFill Insulation. An EPD is an internationally recognized, standardized tool that reports the environmental impact of goods or services. An industry first for fiberglass building insulation in North America, the EPDs describe the environmental impact of the insulation products based upon an established set of product category rules and independently verified life cycle assessment (LCA) data from cradle-to-grave. Through the LCA process, products are evaluated on several parameters including raw materials production and transportation, product manufacturing and plant operations, product packaging, transportation and distribution of the insulation products, and end of life impact. To learn more about EcoTouch® PINK® FIBERGLAS™ Insulation with PureFiber® Technology, Unbonded LooseFill Insulation and the entire selection of building products from Owens Corning, visit booth #4247N during the 2012 Greenbuild® International Conference and Expo. For more information about Owens Corning's EPDs, visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/sustainability.owenscorning.com/contents/products/Life-Cycle-Assessment-and-Product-Evaluation/. For more information about Owens Corning's products and programs, go to www.OwensCorning.com or call 1-800-GET-PINK®.

New SageGlass Control System provides more flexible and efficient control of the sun Booth # 4353N Greenbuild 2012 SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Please visit SAGE at Greenbuild booth # 4353N SAGE today unveiled at the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild conference the world’s first dynamic glass window system that enables variable tint zones within a single pane of electrochromic glass. Variable tint SageGlass® will ship in the first quarter of 2013 when SAGE’s new high volume manufacturing plant starts commercial production. The new SageGlass Control System allows building occupants to change the tint in three different sections in a single pane of SageGlass, and each section can be set to any available tint level. This variability provides much greater flexibility for managing solar heat gain and glare. With multiple zones in a single window, factors such as the changing angles of the sun throughout the day and seasons can be better managed to optimize daylight and preserve the outdoor view. The new SageGlass Control System supports a variety of popular building automation network standards and protocols, such as BACnet and LonTalk, enabling it to be integrated easily into most commercial building control systems. The SageGlass Control System can also be programmed to work automatically with external light sensors, or manually using push-button controls. And the new variable zone capability doesn’t add installation complexity - a multi-zone SageGlass unit has just four wires for simple and low-cost installation.

SCRANTON, Pa., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AZEK Building Products today announced that AZEK VAST Pavers was one of only three winners in the Landscape Category of Architectural Products Magazine's Product Innovation Awards (PIAs). The winners are featured in the magazine's November issue. The PIA Awards were introduced last year by Architectural Products to single out manufacturers who contribute innovation to the industry.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrier, the world's leader in high technology heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) solutions, is proud to be the presenting sponsor for the third year in a row of the International Summit at Greenbuild 2012 in San Francisco. Approximately 400 building professionals representing 30 countries today gathered at the event to exchange ideas and learn about the latest in green building strategies. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) Darnis also introduced high-level findings from a new world green building trends study released by McGraw-Hill Construction in partnership with United Technologies. Some of the highlights include: • Green building continues to grow. One third of the respondents indicate that more than 60 percent of their work portfolio is in green building activity - double from 2008 survey. Respondents project that by 2015, it will almost double again. • Green building is global. The companies who have more than 60 percent of their work in green buildings are growing in each region of the world, particularly in the Middle East. • Green buildings are sought after by building owners and tenants. In 2008, 42 percent of respondents said green building was "the right thing to do." Today, respondents say clients are asking for green technologies, and green buildings offer lower operating cost. • Green building is paying for itself. Forty three percent of respondents report that green retrofit investments pay off in less than five years.

"Good for the environment, the economy, and our families" BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ductile iron pipe, the durable and environmentally friendly choice for water utilities around the world, earned the coveted SMaRT© Sustainable Product Certification, an independent rating system for the sustainability of a product throughout its life cycle, the Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) announced today. Ductile iron pipe is only the second product in the buried infrastructure industry to earn this certification. The Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability categorized ductile iron pipe with its esteemed Gold rating thanks to the pipe's rankings in: • Safe for Public Health & Environment • Renewable Energy & Energy Reduction • Bio-based or Recycled Materials • Facility or Company Requirements • Reclamation, Sustainable Reuse & End of Life Management • Innovation in Manufacturing Ductile iron pipe is the clear and superior choice for sustainable infrastructure investments. Made from recycled scrap materials, with up to 95 percent recycled content, ductile iron is durable and dependable. It is also the wise financial choice – considering it is designed to last up to a century or more, an achievement few other pipe materials can match.

KINGSPORT, Tenn., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Solutia Inc., a subsidiary of Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) and a global leader in performance materials and specialty chemicals, has been recognized by Architectural Products magazine's Product Innovation Awards for the second year in a row. EnerLogic® 70 window film series won in the Solar Control and Shading/ Site-Generated Energy category. EnerLogic 70 is the next generation of glass insulation technology. Built on the success of EnerLogic 35, which launched in 2010, EnerLogic 70 window film combines industry-leading low-e performance with a virtually invisible appearance, offering four-season window insulation. EnerLogic 70 demonstrates commitment to energy savings and sustainability through its goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of production by 25 percent by the year 2020. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) completed by Harmony Environmental, LLC and reviewed by an independent third party concluded that architectural window film becomes carbon neutral less than two months after installation. With an average service life of 15 years, these products typically provide 14-plus years of greenhouse-gas reductions after accounting for the products' total carbon footprint.

BOSTON, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GRAPHISOFT will demonstrate the complete integration of energy analysis technology into its revolutionary, award-winning BIM software at ArchiCAD booth 5232W at GreenBuild 2012, taking place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA from November 14-16. Attendees will also be shown a special video presentation of the new ABC Green Home, which had its collaborative beginnings supported by GRAPHISOFT BIM Server technology. With the release of ArchiCAD 16, GRAPHISOFT has once again provided the tools and technology needed to support sustainable design, from the earliest concept phase of any project. The built-in Energy Evaluation functionality of ArchiCAD 16 gives architects an innovative way to create "green" BIM and perform reliable dynamic energy evaluation within ArchiCAD. The technology relies on BIM geometry analysis and accurate, hour-by-hour online weather data. After the ABC Green Home has been on display for a year at Great Park, it will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and given to a wounded service person. A video demonstration of the project will be shown at the GRAPHISOFT booth.

LEED-certified buildings in the analysis had average ENERGY STAR score of 89 San Francisco building stock among top performers SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A recent analysis performed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) shows that buildings in the sample are performing in the top 11th percentile in the U.S. in terms of energy usage and the average ENERGY STAR score for those LEED buildings is 89 out of 100 possible points. The analysis was based on LEED projects that have submitted data to USGBC both voluntarily and as required by LEED 2009. The majority of the 195 buildings that were analyzed certified under the existing building rating system. The buildings ranged in size from two thousand to three million square feet with the average being 254 thousand square feet. The buildings were a mix of office and retail buildings. Today's announcement comes at the start of USGBC's weeklong Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in San Francisco, Calif. and is one of several announcements around LEED building performance to be released this week. For the last two years, USGBC has been tracking the performance of LEED buildings that are reporting their energy and water use data. Consistent with these findings, these LEED projects demonstrate Source Energy Use Intensity that is on average 47% lower than the national average (as reported through EPA Portfolio Manager). Under the current version of the LEED program, USGBC requires building owners to submit energy and water use to help projects understand and improve building performance.

Elevator and Escalator Manufacturer Named Industry Leader in CDP Reporting and Achieves LEED® Platinum Certification for New U.S. Operations LISLE, Ill., Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --KONE Inc. is pleased to announce two new recognitions demonstrating the company's continuing commitment to environmental excellence in the elevator and escalator industry: LEED® Platinum certification for its new U.S. Operations Center in Moline, Ill., and an industry leading score on the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) rating. KONE's long-term environmental objectives are to further improve the eco-efficiency of its solutions, modernize existing elevators and escalators to make them more energy-efficient, and to further reduce the environmental impact of its own operations – especially its carbon footprint. The newly-constructed KONE Centre in Moline Ill. received LEED® Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) under its Core & Shell (CS) rating system. The category includes base building elements such as structure, envelope and the HVAC system. This is the first time a project has achieved Platinum certification for the CS category in the state of Illinois, requiring the building to score over 80 points out of a possible 100. In addition, KONE received LEED Commercial Interiors Gold certification for its interior office design.

Sustainability visionary and architect will speak at leading green conferences and be honored at the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Gala. SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Next week, to celebrate the green building community's premier conference and to commemorate the anniversaries of his seminal sustainable design works The Hannover Principles and Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things , William McDonough, the global leader in sustainable growth and design for abundance, will be participating in a series of events throughout San Francisco: • VERGE@Greenbuild Keynote Panel, November 13 at 12:05pm McDonough will deliver a keynote panel—The City as an Organism—about the future of cities and infrastructure at Verge@Greenbuild in conversation with Greenbiz.com's Joel Makower and will bring some special guests to the stage with him, including Recology CEO Mike SanGiacomo. Together, they will explore how design technologies and creative urban development is reshaping the built environment in sustainable cities. (Intercontinental Hotel, 888 Howard Street, San Francisco). • Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Press Conference at Greenbuild, November 14 at 10:30am The Institute will announce a new era of Cradle to Cradle certification and a new Product Innovation Challenge with $250K in prize money to be awarded to three winners for creating Cradle to Cradle inspired materials for safe, affordable, and healthy homes. Bridgett Luther of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, Tom Darden of Make It Right, and Jeff Oberdorfer of First Community Housing will join McDonough to discuss the need for safe and healthy materials in the built environment. Panelists will also be able to answer questions about how the Cradle to Cradle Certified program aligns with LEED Version 4. (Moscone Center Room 111, North Hall) • Gala in Honor of William McDonough and Fundraiser for the Institute Featuring Meryl Streep and Susan Sarandon , November 14 at 7pm Meryl Streep and Susan Sarandon will lead the luminaries honoring William McDonough at a fundraising gala for the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. (The Bentley Reserve, 301 Battery Street, San Francisco) • On-Site Signing of The Hannover Principles, November 15 at 11am To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of his sustainability classic The Hannover Principles, McDonough will be signing limited special edition copies in the Greenbuild Expo Hall. (Moscone Center, South Hall Booth #2205) • Greenbuild Panel: LEED=Performance, Outcome and Applause , November 15 at 4:30pm McDonough will appear with Scot Horst, Senior Vice President of LEED and Global Innovation for the U.S. Green Building Council in a session about LEED, performance and outcomes. The ODC Dance Troupe and Quartet San Francisco will be featured in this presentation. (Moscone Center, Room 102/103, Gateway Ballroom, South Building) • Greenbuild Keynote Closing Plenary , November 16 at 11am McDonough will close this year's Greenbuild as part of a special presentation focused on the future of green as a human and ecological health imperative as well as a profitable business strategy for sustainable growth. Thought leaders, including Jane McGonigal, Scot Horst and McDonough, will speak on the global commercialization of product and systems based on criteria for material health, materials revitalization, renewable energy, clean water and social fairness for a beneficial future. (Moscone Center, South Hall) In addition to the events listed above, media and conference attendees will be able to delve further into McDonough's past, present and future work at the first-ever McDonough-focused Greenbuild booth (#2205). Prominent scientists, architects, green designers and sustainability experts from McDonough Advisors, William McDonough+Partners and McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) will all be on hand and available for interviews throughout the three-day event.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. , Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Saint-Gobain and its well-known North American subsidiaries, including CertainTeed, Norton, SolarGard, ADFORS, Grenite, and Saint-Gobain Solar, will showcase an array of building products at Greenbuild 2012 (Booth #4359N) that are ideal for green building projects. Innovative products — such as VOC-scavenging materials, photovoltaic roofing technology, highly-sustainable countertops and hybrid insulation solutions — will be on display along with information on high-profile installations. In addition, a new carbon calculator developed by CertainTeed Building Scientist Lucas Hamilton and Sustainable Solutions Corporation of Royersford, Pa., will make its debut at the show. T he calculator tracks the carbon offset of the company's energy-saving and energy-generating products that are installed in North American homes and buildings. Based on data from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, the carbon reductions of installed Saint-Gobain products on an annual basis is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions produced by more than 300,000 passenger vehicles or the amount of electricity needed to power more than 189,000 homes. The Saint-Gobain exhibit will include the following products, which are designed for use in residential and commercial applications: • CertainTeed AirRenew® gypsum board and ADFORS Novelio® CleanAir wallcovering that contribute to healthy indoor air quality; • CertainTeed Hybrid Insulation System, a cost-effective approach in maximizing occupant comfort and energy savings; • Sound-absorbing materials, such as CertainTeed Ecophon® Solo™ high-density fiberglass ceiling panels, CertainTeed Silent FX gypsum board and Green Glue noiseproofing compound that maximize acoustical control in interior spaces; and, • Grenite® Engineered Stone Countertops, which offer the highest post-consumer recycled content currently available in the market. • Industry-leading solar products, including Saint-Gobain Solar's AVANCIS PowerMax® photovoltaic modules and SolarGard® window film; • Norton® Thermalbond® architectural foam spacers and tapes that enhance energy efficiency in curtain walls and window systems; • Durable materials that protect homes and buildings during construction and beyond, such as CertainTeed CertaWrap™ weather resistive barrier and CertainTeed GlasRoc® exterior sheathing; as well as, • CertainTeed WeatherBoards™ fiber cement siding and CertainTeed CedarBoards™ insulated siding that offer long-lasting performance and boost curb appeal. In addition to Booth #4359N, Saint-Gobain's family of companies will host exhibits for Saint-Gobain ADFORS (#4459N) and SageGlass (#4353N) as well as Saint-Gobain's NOVA Innovation Competition (#4463N). Saint-Gobain, in partnership with YouthBuild USA, will also hold an educational session on affordable green housing at 8 a.m. on Nov. 15 (West Building, Room 2009). For updates on Saint-Gobain activity throughout Greenbuild, visit www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/greenbuild or follow the Twitter hashtag #SGgreen.

Expert Panel and Sustainable Products Wall to Demonstrate Ways to Identify Products with Environmental Attributes and Meet Evolving Sustainable Design Standards MARIETTA, Ga., Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An array of 300+ ecolabels and assessment tools and an evolution of green codes and standards make it difficult for architects and designers to identify authentically sustainable products. At the upcoming 2012 Greenbuild conference in San Francisco, UL Environment and a panel of experts will discuss ways to navigate the sustainable product landscape in order to meet evolving sustainable design standards. UL Environment's director of public affairs, Mark Rossolo, is one of the experts participating in this 60-minute panel discussion, "Identifying Sustainable, Environmentally Preferable Products that Meet Evolving Sustainable Design Standards," on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 1:30 p.m. PST, along with experts Elaine Aye, Principal at Green Building Services Inc. and Steve Baer, Senior Consultant at PE International. Also at Greenbuild this year, UL Environment will feature its first sustainable product showcase in its booth featuring an array of certified building materials, finishes, furnishings, and cleaning/sanitary products. Participating manufacturers include: 3M, ASSA ABLOY, CertainTeed, Johnsonite, Knauf Insulation, Mohawk Group, Owens Corning, PPG Architectural Coatings, SCA, Sherwin-Williams, and Wilsonart representing the variety of sustainable products available to architects and designers and the strong commitment many manufacturers have to making more sustainable products. In addition, UL's Dr. Marilyn Black will be at the show serving as a subject matter expert at the Greenbuild Knowledge Bar on Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 3-3:30 p.m. Participants in this small group discussion about "Advanced Healthy Interiors" will be able to ask questions of and engage in conversation with Dr. Black and other panelists: Tom Lent of Healthy Building Network and Kirsten Ritchie of Gensler. The Greenbuild International Conference and Expo runs Nov. 14-16 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. To attend or learn more about UL Environment's presentation, visit www.greenbuildexpo.org. UL Environment will also be exhibiting at Greenbuild: visit us at booth #4263N.

DELAND, Fla. – Greenbuild attendees will be able to decide the Grand Prize winner for the final stage of the 2012 Generation Kingspan Student Architectural Design Competition. Two Generation Kingspan design entries selected from almost 30 will be displayed at Kingspan Panels US booth #3531 North Hall. Greenbuild attendees will be able to decide the Grand Prize winner in a design face-off between the winner of the popular social vote and the winner of the juried panel vote. The Generation Kingspan competition will culminate with an in-booth head to head competition to determine the Grand Prize winner on Nov. 15th. The winner will be determined from the design that draws the most votes at Kingspan’s booth during the show. Attendees will be able to view design renderings and project descriptions for each of the final entries then cast their vote via iPad. The competition will award $22,000 in prizes and internships with a professional architectural firm split between the “popular” social voting winner and the judged winner. In addition to cash prizes, the winners will be featured in a full-page feature in Architect Magazine and referenced in other Hanley Wood digital and print publications. The competitors entered on-line starting on Aug. 1, 2012, which was also the beginning of the social voting on the www.GenerationKingspan.com website. On-line voting continued until November 7. The online design community also allowed for its community members to engage in online discussions about the competition, its entries and sustainable architecture. The designs entries will also be reviewed by a panel of six professional judges, each with expertise in architecture, design, and sustainability. The judged winner will be selected based on how well they document and explain the benefits of their submission. Additionally the aesthetic aspects of their design should show originality and innovation. Kingspan Insulated Panels North America is a global manufacturer of Insulated Metal Panels for building construction. Kingspan launched the competition in August to challenge emerging architects to create innovative, energy efficient, net-zero energy and sustainable designs with Insulated Metal Panels. To learn more about the competition and to view the entries, visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.generationkingspan.com.

LISLE, Ill., Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- KONE Inc. is pleased to announce that Architectural Products Magazine has awarded its 2012 Product Innovation Award to two of the company's offerings, the KONE TravelMaster™ 110 escalator and KONE EcoMod® escalator modernization solution. The winning offerings are part of an elite group of 83 products and solutions showcased in the magazine's November 2012 issue. KONE's award-winning solutions include: - The KONE TravelMaster 110 escalator is tailored for the retail environment and showcases the latest in escalator eco-efficient technology, safety and reliability. Its energy-saving features include a standby speed operation, reduced escalator running speed and optional regenerative drive. - The KONE EcoMod escalator modernization solution is a first-of-its-kind approach to replacing the entire workings of an escalator unit without removing the truss, thereby significantly lowering a project's total cost and decreasing disruption to the building's occupants. A complete list of award winners, including KONE, can be found in the November 2012 issue of Architectural Products or online at www.arch-products.com.

CEO Andrew Chen Named Guru for VERGE @ Greenbuild; Contestant in VERGE Accelerate BOSTON, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- WegoWise, a leading building performance analytics provider, today announced that Andrew Chen, CEO, and Sean Shanley, Director of Project Design, will be speaking at VERGE @ Greenbuild and Greenbuild 2012, which will take place on Nov. 12 to 13 and Nov. 14 to 16, respectively, in San Francisco. Chen and Shanley will join other green building companies, energy efficiency innovators and big data startups to discuss how buildings can capture significant savings by tracking and benchmarking utility data. WHO: WegoWise is an industry-leading web-based energy data analytics platform for the building-performance industry. The platform automatically collects utility data much like Mint.com, then normalizes and compares buildings by energy intensity -- for example, BTU per square foot -- and building characteristics. By presenting the information in visually compelling charts and graphs, WegoWise helps building owners quickly identify their least-efficient buildings and initiate energy retrofits that can dramatically reduce utility costs. At Greenbuild, Shanley will discuss how WegoWise helped affordable housing company Abode Communities easily and inexpensively track its buildings' energy performance on a panel titled "Understanding Your Building Post-Certification." The panel will be held on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 3 to 4 p.m., in the West Building, Room 2022. VERGE @ Greenbuild focuses on the convergence of energy, information, building, and transportation technologies, as well as the opportunities they provide companies, cities and society. The event, which is being hosted at the Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco, Calif., is produced by media company GreenBiz Group and presented in partnership with the USGBC. Chen will participate in two sessions: - Chen will lead a breakout session as a VERGE Guru, offering insights on WegoWise's strategic development and market positioning, as well as how that thinking can help other entrepreneurs. The breakout session will be held in the Grand Ballroom on Monday, Nov. 12, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. - Chen will present at VERGE Accelerate, which is a pitch competition for disruptive digital cleantech start-ups. The pitch competition will be held on the Main Stage on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 1:45 to 5 p.m.

We Build Green Cities Project Serves as Blueprint for Cities Worldwide Greenbuild 2012 PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Columbia Green Technologies (CGT), eco-technology provider for green roof systems, will be sharing best practice ideas about green public private partnerships (PPP) at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo on Nov. 14-15. The world’s largest green building expo brings together 35,000 industry leaders, experts and frontline professionals dedicated to sustainable building. During the We Build Green Cities panel on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at Moscone Center; Room 114 (North entrance) at 9 A.M. PST CGT’s CEO, Vanessa Keitges, will discuss how Portland’s PPP model can serve as a blueprint to build green cities. Columbia Green was selected as one of the We Build Green Cities companies, a project of the Portland Sustainability Institute in partnership with Business Oregon, the City of Portland and the Portland Development Commission. The goal of We Build Green Cities is to better connect Portland's green innovations, intellectual capital and products with the rest of the world. Green roofs are complex systems; they require quality products from the underlying roof structure through the plant material. Being the most comprehensive vegetative roof system on the market, AVRS® Tray and Multilayer Systems incorporate the highest quality underlying waterproofing, which is why Columbia Green offers single source warranties through their national membrane and waterproofing partners.

Respondents Indicated a Widespread Commitment to Sustainable Practices NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Turner Construction Company, recognized as the leading general builder and the largest green builder in the United States, today announced the results of a new Market Barometer survey that focused on environmentally-sustainable, or "Green," building, and on sustainable practices in general. Key findings revealed that companies remain committed to constructing Green buildings. While executives remained committed to incorporating sustainable building practices into their building programs, fewer said their companies were likely to seek LEED certification from the US Green Building Council when constructing a Green building. Brightening Outlook for Construction Projects Among real estate owners, developers, and corporate owner-occupants, 64% said they expect to undertake new construction projects over the next 12 months (up from 46% in the 2010 survey), and 71% said they expect to undertake renovation projects over the same period (up from 58% in the 2010 survey). Widespread Commitment to Sustainable Practices Ninety percent of respondents said their companies were committed to environmentally-sustainable practices. Of that percentage, 56% of executives said their companies were extremely or very committed to following environmentally-sustainable practices in their operations, while an additional 34% said they were somewhat committed. In addition to citing financial reasons for this commitment, executives were most likely to cite broader considerations as extremely or very important including belief that it's the 'right thing to do,' (68%), impact on brand/reputation (67%), and customer requirements (61%), along with cost savings (66%). Reducing Energy Costs and Operating Expenses are the Key Drivers to Green Construction Executives were most likely to cite financial factors as being important to their companies' decisions on whether to incorporate Green features in a construction project. Respondents indicated that energy efficiency (84%) and ongoing operations and maintenance costs (84%) were extremely or very important to their decisions. Fewer Companies Plan to Seek LEED Certification Although the vast majority of companies remain committed to Green buildings, the percentage of executives who thought it was extremely or very likely that their company would seek LEED certification if they constructed a Green building was only 48%, down from 53% in the 2010 survey and 61% in the 2008 survey. Among executives who said their companies were not likely to seek LEED certification, the most important reasons cited were the cost of the certification process (82%), staff time required (79%), time required for the process (75%), and the overall perceived difficulty of the process (74%). Concerns Persist about Construction Costs and the Length of the Payback Period When asked what length of payback period would be acceptable when considering Green features, 44% of executives said they would accept five years and almost 80% of executives said they would accept a payback period of five years or longer. Despite the acceptance by most executives of an extended payback period, 61% of executives still felt that the length of the payback period was an extremely or very significant obstacle to the construction of Green buildings while 62% cited higher construction costs. To view the full report, please send an email to: turner@tcco.com.

MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Schindler Elevator Corporation, a leading global elevator and escalator manufacturer in the U.S. and Canada, today announced that its Schindler 400AE™ machine room-less traction elevator has been selected as a winner of the second annual Architectural Products ‘Product Innovation Award’ (PIA). The Architectural Products PIA recognizes products, materials and systems innovations that lead commercial and institutional design to new heights. With judging and evaluation of products and systems from a distinguished panel of 50 independent industry professionals skilled in product evaluation, the PIA program awards manufacturers based on attributes, qualities, functionality and/or performance beyond industry standards. The selection highlights Schindler’s ongoing commitment and success in developing industry-leading, innovative products. Schindler also had two PIA winning products, PORT Technology and Schindler 3300, selected in 2011. All PIA winning products will be featured in the November issue of Architectural Products magazine.

LP SolidStart LVL-Q Lite, S Lite, S and S Plus Grades Now Available NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LP Building Products has received CE approval, the required mark for trading of construction materials throughout the European Union, for four grades of LP SolidStart LVL, allowing the company to introduce more alternatives for traditional softwood timber into the European Market. The CE approved products include: - LP SolidStart LVL-Q Lite (1.3E), a cost-competitive alternative to LVL-Q products for rim board and wall plate applications; - LP SolidStart LVL-S Lite (1.9E), a cost-effective alternative to LVL-S for most header and beam applications; - LP SolidStart LVL-S (2.0E), a product that fits the industry standard for LVL across most of Europe; - LP SolidStart LVL-S Plus (2.1E), an ideal product for applications requiring higher performance for a stronger, stiffer beam. Products are available from Falcon Panel Products Limited (U.K.), MBM Forest Products Limited (U.K.), SpanoTech (Belgium), van Hoorebeke Timber (Belgium), Wyder Engineered Timber Systems Limited (U.K.), DPW Te Paske (The Netherlands – Door Stabalisers). LP SolidStart LVL products are created primarily from smaller, fast-growing trees. LP SolidStart LVL products are Chain of Custody (CoC) certified by both the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Schemes and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).

Manufacturer of Energy Saving Products Recognized by San Diego Air Pollution Control District and Industrial Environmental Association at Annual Environmental Summit SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solar Gard®, an industry-leading manufacturer of architectural and automotive window films, specialty films and photovoltaic backsheets, today announced the receipt of the APCD-IEA Blue Sky Leadership Award at the Industrial Environmental Association’s Environmental Summit in San Diego on October 23 and 24. The award identifies companies or organizations that have contributed positively to the San Diego-area environment through innovative projects that reduce air pollution and global warming. Solar Gard’s commitment to sustainability is evident through the energy saving architectural solar control window films it manufactures, which are scientifically proven to be carbon negative, as well as its company-wide environmental initiatives. These products and programs have made the company stand out among its peers in San Diego. Highlights of Solar Gard’s environmental initiatives to decrease their carbon output include: - First and only window film company to obtain an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for its products and prove they have a net positive impact on the environment. An EPD is a globally-recognized reporting tool providing a complete assessment of the environmental impact associated with a product’s manufacture and usage. - Recycling program where 56 percent of materials were diverted from landfills and resulted in significant environmental savings including 331,331 Kilowatt hours of electricity and 530,758 gallons of water over the course of a year. - ISO 14001 Certification since 2008, ensuring the company’s commitment to comply with applicable environmental regulations and explore new ways to continually reduce environmental impacts. The APCD – IEA Blue Sky Leadership Award recognizes the most significant environmental accomplishments of local businesses in a challenging regulatory environment. The San Diego Air Pollution Control District partnered with the Industrial Environmental Association to create the award in 2009, which has grown to include categories for small, medium and large businesses. For more information on Solar Gard’s environmental commitment, or to find an installer near you, please visit www.solargard.com/us or contact 877-273-4364, or +1(858) 576-0200 outside the U.S. and Canada.

Guardian ClimaGuard featured in "GreenZone" area AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Guardian Industries will present its comprehensive commercial, residential and interior glass product portfolios at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in San Francisco, Calif., Nov. 14-16. Visitors to the Guardian display (Booth No. 1301S) will experience Guardian's commitment to sustainable design, energy efficient products and net zero buildings through the latest innovations in glass products and solutions. An important component of Guardian's Greenbuild presence will be GreenZone, a state-of-the-art, green certified classroom structure presented by Building Design + Construction. The first modular classroom, or "Smart, Academic, Green Environment," will be on display between the North and South Halls of the Moscone Center. As the window glass sponsor, Guardian will feature its ClimaGuard low-E (emissivity) glass in a real-world application. Low-E glass has microscopically thin metallic coatings that work to reduce energy costs by helping to control the climate. Guardian ClimaGuard glass products help save energy while providing enhanced learning and living experiences through daylighting. Inside Greenbuild at Guardian booth 1301S, ClimaGuard HiLightR 802 will demonstrate Guardian's latest advances in glass technology: The residential product combines Guardian ClimaGuard 80/70 low-E glass with the insulating power of ClimaGuard IS-20, boosting thermal performance without sacrificing natural light. Turning the sun's natural warmth into a source of heat is an attractive benefit particularly in northern climates. Joining ClimaGuard will be the anchor of booth 1301S, Guardian SunGuard, with its two newest advanced technology glazings that help achieve net zero buildings – SunGuard PVGU and SunGuard EC. Completing the comprehensive portfolio of Guardian products on display at Greenbuild is Guardian InGlass advanced interior glass, products manufactured within the context of the company's sustainability commitment. A great example is Guardian DiamondGuard . Its scratch-resistant, highly transparent quality combined with its lasting durability make it perfect for interior design applications including tabletops, furniture, wall panel, partitions and mirrors. Guardian DiamondGuard demonstrates sustainability in the built environment because its longer lifecycle minimizes the need for costly replacements. In addition, Guardian InGlass products help projects earn LEED Indoor Environmental Quality Credits by allowing daylighting to penetrate into an interior space. This virtual tour of Guardian Industries at Greenbuild will provide a preview of the contents of booth 1301S. Watch here for industry comment on building energy efficiency via glass, and a more in-depth look at the products Guardian will present at Greenbuild. For more information on Guardian ClimaGuard, InGlass and SunGuard, in addition to all the valuable resources and tools Guardian provides, please visit Guardian Industries Greenbuild Booth 1301S or www.guardian.com.

DALLAS, November 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ReportsnReports.com updates its store with "World Insulation to 2016" and "The World Market for Insulation" market research reports. Global insulation consumption is forecast to rise more than five percent annually to approximately 29 billion square meters of R-1 value in 2016, a substantial acceleration from the 2006-2011 rate. In developing countries, insulation demand is expected to expand at a healthy pace due to rising building construction and industrial activity as well as growing per capita incomes that will lead to the adoption of modern building techniques and materials, including insulation. In most developed countries, insulation sales are expected to rebound after falling in 2008 and 2009 due to housing market collapses in several countries. In addition, governments will adopt new regulations concerning building insulation in an effort to reduce energy consumption, further boosting demand. Building construction to be primary driver of demand Solid residential building construction expenditure gains will be the primary driver of demand for the world insulation market. In North America alone, insulation sales for residential applications will rise approximately nine percent annually between 2011 and 2016, primarily due to a recovery of the housing market in the US. In Western Europe, a rebound in several countries' housing markets will cause insulation demand to post moderate gains through 2016, as opposed to the decline of the 2006-2011 period. In many West European countries, government efforts to encourage insulation use in order to lower energy consumption will also contribute to demand. In developing countries in the Asia/Pacific region, Africa/Mideast region, and Central and South America, rural-to-urban migration will stimulate building activity in urban areas, and therefore insulation demand. In some countries, the adoption of minimum insulation requirements will also contribute to demand. Demand for insulation in the industrial, HVAC, and OEM markets will be driven by expanding manufacturing activity, appliance output, and HVAC system installations. Asia/Pacific region to be fastest growing market The fastest growth in insulation demand through 2016 is forecast in the Asia/ Pacific region, due to advances in building construction activity as well as manufacturing and industrial output. More than 65 percent of new demand generated between 2011 and 2016 will be attributed to this region. Several Asia/ Pacific countries are expected to post solid growth, including China, India, Indonesia, and Thailand. Foamed plastic insulation to lead value gains In value terms, worldwide insulation consumption is projected to advance roughly seven percent per annum through 2016, approaching $60 billion. The fastest growth is expected in the foamed plastic insulation segment, as these products will be used more frequently in construction applications because of their high insulation values, allowing them to capture market share from fiberglass and mineral wool insulation. Foamed plastic insulation is also used extensively in refrigerator and freezer manufacture, further boosting demand. Demand for fiberglass insulation will benefit from the rebounding residential construction market in North America, as the material is widely used in the US and Canada. Other insulation materials, such as cellulose, will also see strong gains, as environmentally friendly options continue to gain popularity. Buy your copy of this report @ http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.reportsnreports.com/reports/204174-world-insulation-to-2016.html.

Hamburg Casino in Hamburg, N.Y., is one of the highlights of the enormous Erie County Fairgrounds. In addition to the casino, the 275,000 acre complex includes the Buffalo Raceway horse track, an exposition hall, four parks, campgrounds and an event center. Metl-SpanThe two-story, 66,000 square foot casino facility and adjoining expo center utilize both Metl-Span roof and wall panels for design continuity. In addition, Metl-Span ThermalSafe fire-resistant insulated panels were also installed, necessitated by rigid fire codes. The 4-inch ThermalSafe panels have a one-hour fire rating and were finished in Regal Blue. 40,000 square feet of Metl-Span 4-inch CF42 Tuff Wall insulated metal wall panels, also finished in Regal Blue, was installed as well as 23,000 square feet of Metl-Span 4-inch CFR42 insulated metal roof panels finished in Polar White. Design for the project was provided by BHNT Architects, Buffalo, N.Y. The general contractor was Tedesco Construction Services, Inc., Lewiston, N.Y. The metal building system was provided by Varco Pruden Buildings, Memphis. Metl-Span pioneered many of the developments of insulated metal panels and continues to make significant contributions to design innovations and technology that shape industry standards. For more information on the complete line of Metl-Span products, call 877-585-9969 or visit www.metlspan.com.

Greenbuild 2012 MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The new Ajo Border Patrol Station on the Arizona/Mexico border has achieved LEED® Gold certification thanks in part to its ability to control the desert sun’s extreme heat gain and glare using advanced dynamic glass from SAGE. SageGlass is electronically tintable dynamic glass for windows, skylights and curtain walls that tints or clears to modulate light, heat gain and glare. SageGlass controls the sun without blocking sunlight and views, enhancing occupant comfort and saving energy, yet it is cost competitive with other solar control methods (such as shades, blinds and louvers) and requires no maintenance. SageGlass’ unique technology was a key decision factor for HDR. The Ajo Border Patrol Station was designed to serve as a showcase facility for advanced energy-efficient technologies that will be used in future Patrol Station projects. Please visit SAGE at Booth # 4353N at the upcoming Greenbuild show in San Francisco Nov. 14-16.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Transforming residential properties into real wildlife habitats is the focus of a new animation launched by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The animation—“Designing Neighborhoods for People and Wildlife”—shows how native plants and designed structures provide what nature needs. Wildlife habitat can be destroyed by development, farms, or mines; or degraded by invasive species, climate change, or pollution so it no longer supports native wildlife. The animation shows that habitat loss, and the corresponding loss of biodiversity, doesn’t have to continue. Starting with homeowners’ properties, fragmented habitats can be rewoven together, creating neighborhoods that are not only healthier for wildlife but also for people. Many residential landscape architects are also helping to stem the losses by creating beautiful neighborhoods that provide habitat for many species. he animation is part of ASLA’s Designing Our Future: Sustainable Landscapes site. Made possible by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, the site offers 30 case studies in easily understood terms that demonstrate how landscape architects beautify our world while also protecting and working with nature. It also includes ten animations—developed by ASLA with author and Google SketchUp expert Daniel Tal, ASLA—that show sustainable landscape design in action. The free site also provides many educational resource guides aimed at K-12 students. Topics include recycling, outdoor recreation, transportation, and more. The guides provide hundreds of vetted games, videos, classroom activities, and curriculum organized by age groups (K-5, 6-8, and 9-12).

Duradek, the original Walkable Roofing Membrane has done it again! Following the successful addition of the Forest Floor line to Duradek’s extensive collection of 60 mil vinyl colors and patterns, a third color is now being introduced in this innovative and popular pattern. An instant favorite with designers and home owners alike, Forest Floor resonates with the desire for naturally inspired colors and textures, and the ability to provide stylish outdoor living space while still having guaranteed waterproof protection. Duradek Ultra Forest Floor Ash A cool, earthy hue softly presents the distinctive fossilized leaf pattern in gentle taupe with grey under tones for a subtle and attractive waterproof finish on balconies, decks and patios.. Reminiscent of an actual forest floor, Duradek Ultra Forest Floor Ash offers a unique, naturally inspired design in a calm blend of neutral shades that invites harmony to virtually any outdoor living space or exterior design scheme. The flagship color for this exclusive line launched in the summer of 2011 was Duradek Ultra Forest Floor 'Birch', followed in the summer of 2012 with Duradek Ultra Forest Floor 'Adler'. This unique product is an innovative example of Duradek's leadership in outdoor flooring. Exclusively installed by specially trained professionals, Duradek has been the leader in waterproof roofing membranes for nearly 40 years and provides low maintenance, stylish solutions for outdoor living space.

Greenbuild 2012 JEFFERSON VALLEY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Recognizing the construction industry’s increasing requirements for Continuing Education and the need for a comprehensive and reliable resource for these materials, The Blue Book Network has partnered with four leading content providers to launch “BlueBookUniversity.com.” “Understanding the industry’s growing need for quality online continuing education, we are excited to provide BlueBookUniversity.com as one of these targeted solutions.” BlueBookUniversity.com will provide direct access to a comprehensive database of continuing education courses, programs and publications targeted to architects, engineers, contractors, owners, facility managers and other industry professionals. The new website, which officially debuts at the Greenbuild International Expo on November 14th in San Francisco, consists of the following four ‘Schools’ that offer one-stop shopping for continuing education and training courses: - School of Architecture, powered by AEC Daily, a leader in online continuing education for the architectural community, offers a variety of free AIA Continuing Ed Courses - making AEC Daily, and now Blue Book University, the largest providers of free sustainable education in the industry - School of Construction, powered by RedVector, provides one of the most comprehensive libraries of CE/PDH content, all developed to meet state board requirements and professional organization obligations - School of Safety, powered by Click-Safety, a leader in online safety training programs, provides a comprehensive online safety course library, including courses ranging from general employee safety awareness to advanced training for specialized workers, in addition to the largest selection of OSHA authorized compliance courses - School of Business, powered by SmartTeam, a leading online corporate training provider, will offer training courses on HR, Supervisory Skills, Finance, Sales and Marketing programs The BlueBookUniversity.com Campus Book Store, powered by BNi Building News, provides an extensive library of print and online resources including reference manuals, code books, DVDs and downloadable content to help keep industry professionals up-to-date and informed of the latest trends. “As we near our 100th Anniversary this January, The Blue Book Network remains firmly committed to developing the information solutions required by the industry – from design through post-construction,” explained Rich Johnson, Blue Book Network President. “Understanding the industry’s growing need for quality online continuing education, we are excited to provide BlueBookUniversity.com as one of these targeted solutions.” Blue Book Premier Network Members are eligible for cost-saving discounts on all courses and campus book store purchases. The website also provides quick links to thebluebook.com and BPMSelect.com for additional construction and building product based educational content. For more information on BlueBookUniversity.com, please contact Howard Mager, Vice-Chancellor, Blue Book University at 800-431-2584, extension 3174 or hmager@mail.thebluebook.com. Or, visit The Blue Book Network at the Greenbuild International Expo, booth 3583N for a tour of the BBU campus.

PLEASANTON and VISTA, Calif., Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- California-based Eco Building Products (OTCBB: ECOB), the premier manufacturer of proprietary wood products coated with Eco Red Shield™, has converted to Simpson Strong-Tie Component Solutions™ software to design and manufacture trusses. Eco Building Products plans to manufacture Eco Red Shield trusses nationwide. Simpson Strong-Tie Component Solutions software for roof and floor trusses and wall panels, is part of the company's new Integrated Component Systems offering, which also includes a full line of high-quality, code-listed truss connector plates, comprehensive software training to get users up and running quickly, and industry-leading customer service. "Eco Building Products is proud to be working with the industry leader for all of our truss design and hardware requirements. With our Eco Red Shield product and the capabilities in the truss industry that Simpson Strong-Tie brings, this conversion just makes sense for us," said Steve Conboy, Eco Building Products President and CEO. "This will create synergy between our organizations and enables ECOB to support the argument for fire coatings on trusses supporting light gauge construction." "We are delighted that Eco Building Products has chosen Simpson Strong-Tie for tools to design their truss product line. Their development of innovative solutions to industry challenges resonates well with our values. We continue to refine the software to best meet our customers' needs," said Mike Bugbee, Simpson Strong-Tie Senior Vice President, Truss and Component Systems.

First home recipient, Army Corporal Christopher Bales revealed during Tennessee Titans Veterans Day Game NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Operation FINALLY HOME has joined forces with LP Building Products, country star Kix Brooks and American Country Countdown to build six homes for deserving veterans across the country over the next two years. The first home will be built in Las Vegas, Nev., in 2013 for wounded Ft. Campbell soldier Army Cpl. Christopher Bales. The announcement was made to Bales on LP Field in front of thousands of fans during the Tennessee Titans Veterans Day game. “It is an honor for LP Building Products to be a part of this collaborative effort to provide homes for six of our nation’s veterans,” said Rick Olszewski, executive vice president of specialty products, sales and marketing. “Providing a house for a soldier is much more than constructing a building, it’s about coming together as communities and industries with respect and gratitude to create a home where these soldiers and their families can heal and thrive.” The Bales home build is scheduled to begin in January 2013 with a projected completion date in January 2014. For more information including ongoing updates on the build, visit FinallyHomeUSA.com or Facebook.com/FinallyHomeUSA. To donate, text OFH to 85944 and reply yes to confirm a $10 gift to help build mortgage free homes for America's war wounded and the widows of the fallen.

Facility utilizes efficient solutions to educate students on sustainable design. PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cooper Lighting, an industry leader committed to delivering innovative products and driving transformational technology in the lighting industry, recently provided lighting solutions to the University of Kansas' Studio 804 design team to illuminate Galileo's Pavilion, a student-designed building on the campus of Johnson County Community College (JCCC). Products include Halo LED recessed downlights, Neo-Ray Straight and Narrow suspended luminaires, and Sure-Lites LED Edge-lit exit signs. These products were chosen to provide energy-efficient illumination and to help meet sustainable goals on the ever-expanding college campus. To reinforce the school's commitment to energy efficient, sustainable solutions, the Studio 804 design team chose LED downlights from Cooper Lighting. Halo LED downlights feature excellent color rendering along with the industry's widest selection of color temperatures. The dimmable downlights are ENERGY STAR®-qualified and designed to last with a five year, 50,000-hour warranty. The optical design provides smooth, even illumination and performance equivalent to a traditional downlight. Also included are Neo-Ray Series 22 DP Straight and Narrow pendants. Featuring slender lines of continuous light, these products provide a uniform glow in any architectural environment. Neo-Ray products include complementary recessed, suspended, surface, and wall-mounted luminaires that are available for both continuous and individual run applications. They feature a fully extruded aluminum housing that allows for a precise in-line appearance and enhanced rigidity while its flush, high-transmission, frosted acrylic lay-in lens adds a clean look and easy maintenance. The Sure-Lites EU Series Edge-lit Exits feature a crystal clear lens panel providing excellent light distribution for exit visibility. The long-life, energy-efficient LED lamps reduce energy costs and eliminate routine lamp maintenance. The universal features include mounting capability (ceiling, wall or end), exit lens (single and double face), and field-installable chevrons providing the most versatile edge-lit exit on the market today. Cooper Lighting has made a significant investment in people, resources and technology to ensure the company provides first-class solutions to its customers' lighting challenges. The company offers a range of indoor and outdoor LED lighting products and controls, all of which are specifically designed to maximize energy and cost savings. For additional information on Cooper's LED product offering, visit www.cooperlighting.com.

Willis Ranch Community becomes the first in San Antonio featuring pioneering technology Solar Shingles as standard feature. SAN ANTONIO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dow Chemical Company and Imagine Homes, a San Antonio-based homebuilder leading the nation in new high performance green building technology, unveiled the first solar standard community in San Antonio. This new community is leading the way in sustainable living by incorporating the award-winning DOW POWERHOUSE Solar Shingle - an integrated solar roofing system that protects the home and generates electricity - as a standard feature on all homes in their Willis Ranch subdivision. This latest offering of Dow’s Solar Shingles gives homebuyers in San Antonio the first community that combines Imagine Homes’ superior homebuilding design with the most cutting-edge renewable solution on the market. Homeowners that purchase a Willis Ranch home will get a complete POWERHOUSE roofing system that saves money on their annual energy bills, reducing the overall cost of home ownership and generating an unprecedented financial return on their home investment. The home also comes with a monitoring system that provides real-time readouts of electricity generation and home electricity usage. Homebuyers can also choose to upgrade the standard sized system to a bigger array that will offset even more of their energy bill. Expected savings range anywhere from $4,000-$10,000 in the first year, plus the POWERHOUSE Solar Shingles will increase the overall value of their home. The combination of Imagine Homes with DOW POWERHOUSE Solar Shingles are helping to redefine green living in San Antonio, and are working to meet Mayor Castro’s, the city of San Antonio’s and Build San Antonio Green’s goals to increase solar and reduce energy consumption in the area. Made in the USA and backed by a 20 year warranty from Dow, the POWERHOUSE Solar Shingle is certified as both a solar and roofing product. It has received seven performance and safety certifications, including the backing of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) certification and is proven to withstand rain, hail and wind uplift. The DOW POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle was recently honored as a recipient of a 2012 Breakthrough Award by POPULAR MECHANICS for creating the new benchmark in roof design and engineering in the U.S. They were also awarded Gold for Best New Product by the internationally-renowned 2012 Edison Awards™, and received the TIME Magazine Best Invention of the Year in 2009. Visit DOWPOWERHOUSE.com to find more information about the DOW POWERHOUSE Solar Shingles and to get specific information on our availability in the Texas market. Homeowners and building professionals can also follow DOW POWERHOUSE on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DowPowerhouse), Twitter (@DOWPOWERHOUSE), Pinterest (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/pinterest.com/dowpowerhouse/) and via YouTube.

CLEVELAND, Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) is scheduled to make a presentation at Baird's 2012 Industrial Conference on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Christopher M. Connor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to begin his presentation at 4:35 p.m. Eastern Time. The audio portion, with slides, of the conference presentation by Sherwin-Williams will be webcast simultaneously. To access the webcast link to the live presentation on November 6 th, go to the Sherwin-Williams website, www.sherwin.com, click on About Us, choose Investor Relations then select Press Releases. Click on the webcast link following the reference to the October 31 st release. For those who cannot listen to Sherwin-Williams' live webcast, an archived replay will be available at www.sherwin.com beginning shortly after the live presentation. The archived replay will be available until Friday, December 7 th at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

WINCHESTER, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Trex Company (NYSE: TREX), the world’s largest manufacturer of high-performance wood-alternative decking and railing, has developed its most comprehensive and robust product platform in company history, with a variety of new innovations and supply updates announced for 2013. Decking and Railing Innovations Trex’s most recent line of shelled composite decking and railing, Trex Select™, introduces the superior durability and unparalleled aesthetics of the brand to a new category of entry-level consumers and facilitates Trex’s entry into the $189 million vinyl railing market. This system will provide a high performance option at an opening price point in both the Trex decking and railing categories. In addition, Trex is expanding its popular Trex Transcend decking collection to include a new, variegated light brown color called Tiki Torch, which complements the darker Trex Transcend tropical hues of Spiced Rum and Lava Rock. Like all Transcend decking options, Tiki Torch features a combination of high-performance, low-maintenance and eco-friendly qualities and was developed in direct response to consumer feedback for a lighter, tropical hue. Growing its railing portfolio, Trex is introducing two new product lines that broaden architectural appeal to a wider market. Trex Reveal™ Aluminum Railing provides unparalleled strength and a sleek, contemporary design that is popular not only in residential, but also multi-family and commercial settings, and allows Trex to enter the $125 million aluminum railing market. Many residential markets across the U.S. are now requiring this kind of railing in order to meet strict building code requirements. In addition, Trex is expanding the Trex Transcend railing system to include Trex Transcend Beveled Railing, which was developed to address regional architectural and style preferences while expanding the line’s appeal across the board.

Support the size and scale of the green building construction market in Spanish speaking countries MEXICO CITY, Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Citing high demand and increased construction market activity in Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today announced that the LEED Green Associate exam will be available in Spanish this November. The LEED Green Associate exam is currently offered in English, French, Portuguese and will be available in Chinese and Spanish in most testing centers beginning Nov. 14, 2012. Registration will open two weeks in advance of that date on Nov. 1, 2012. Learn more at new.usgbc.org/leed/credentials/leed-ga/apply.