The 12th Edition events of the Middle East Drymix Conference was held at and sponsored by University of Sharjah under the patronage of Sharjah Research Academy under the slogan of, “For the Sustainability of Construction and Building Materials.”

Experts and specialists in the field of construction and its sustainability from around the world participated in the conference which discussed several issues, ideas, initiatives, and proposals that will improve the world of construction and its sustainability.

Dr Hamid Majul Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, said:

“Experts and specialists in this field sat together and discussed, within the objectives and domains of this conference, Drymix mortar as compared to current materials used in building and construction, for which billions of dollars are spent in the country annually. In addition to the billions spent on such for maintenance and restoration as confirmed by national statistics. This conference embodies the modern progress and development of the emirate of Sharjah in particular, and the United Arab Emirates, in as a whole.”

Dr Amr Abdel Hameed, Director of Sharjah Research Academy conveyed, “I would like to thank and express gratitude towards the people who worked hard to come up with their research, papers, and studies. Sharing such valuable information will only help in m in improving the industry and I am glad that Sharjah research academy managed to play a role in this gathering.”

Professor Mufid Al Samarai, Senior Advisor at Sharjah Research Academy Government of Sharjah and the Chairman of the Drymix Middle East expressed, “We took an opportunity at this conference to utilise it as a key platform for sustainable construction issues. The UAE has a leading role in this context in the region since the institutions, the bodies, and the officials are keen to apply the highest standards and practices of sustainability.”

Al Samarai continued by pointing out that the conference had different sessions, on several issues in the field of construction and building materials; taking into consideration the sustainability issue, the nature of the atmosphere, and the climate in the region. This included humidity and high temperature, and how to deal with such matters at various levels and fields, in order to ensure longer stability and sustainability of construction.

The panels discussed various aspects such as energy efficiency and durable construction, enabled by strong toolbox of chemistries by Dr Margarita Perello. Another session talked about the fire protection through ettringite materials by Dr Gautam Bhattacharya. Other panels explored important studies and research, such as Dr Michael Monz’s session on improving the flexibility of the cementitious mortars by using lightweight aggregates. Additionally, Mr Rajit Kumar spoke about the sustainable premix render: an economic way to protect the buildings.