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Greener Design and Construction of Industrial and Commercial Buildings

BlueScope

Background/ Context

BlueScope is a global leader in metal coating and painting products for building and construction industries, providing vital components for houses, buildings, structures, vehicles and more. They run over 160 operation sites in 16 countries, with 16,500 employees. Principally focussed on the Asia-Pacific region, they market a wide range of branded products that include pre-painted steel, zinc/aluminium alloy-coated steel and a range of building products.
 
BlueScopeX is the corporate venture capital arm. It invests in technologies that enhance efficiencies in the built environment, such as industrial and commercial building products, systems and solutions that can improve efficiencies across the industry.

BlueScope is keen to contribute to the global effort of tackling the sustainability challenges that the building and construction sector is facing.  Buildings account for around 19% of total energy use and 18% of direct carbon emissions in Australia (2023). 

An equivalent of a city with a two-million population (in terms of floor space) is added to the world every five days until 2060. Half of the buildings standing in 2050 have not yet been built. Buildings already standing or are being constructed today will likely be in use in 2070 and beyond. At the same time, efficient buildings are one of the biggest investment opportunities globally – investment in building energy efficiency alone amounted to a total of approximately US$237 billion in 2021.
 
BlueScope is looking for solutions to fundamentally improve the thermal performance, carbon footprint and general sustainability of industrial and commercial buildings through better design, products, systems and installation methods.

How might we transform the design and construction of industrial and commercial buildings to make them environmentally friendly and energy efficient? 

This involves integrating sustainability and efficiency into every stage of the building lifecycle, from conceptual design through to construction, operation, and even deconstruction. 

  • Advanced fabrication techniques – Explore how emerging technologies like robotic assembly or AI-driven design optimisations minimise waste or enhance precision. These technologies reduce waste significantly by optimising material cuts and assembly processes. Precision not only conserves materials but also reduces the energy consumption associated with excess production and rectification of errors, leading to more sustainable construction practices.
  • New methods of prefabrication – Integrate digital technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM) to customise steel for specific prefabricated components, ensuring minimal construction wastage and optimal performance. This enhances the efficiency of resource use, drastically cutting down on construction waste and promoting the sustainability of building projects. By streamlining the production process, prefabrication also reduces the carbon footprint associated with traditional construction methods.
  • Construction product and design improvements – Integrating renewable energy systems and carbon capture technologies directly into building design is a proactive approach that not only helps in making the building self-sufficient but also potentially energy-positive.
  • Circular construction – Create a closed loop for the materials used in construction and maintenance, emphasising the reuse, recycling, and safe biodegradation of materials and ensuring that materials are kept in use for as long as possible.

Requirements

BlueScope is looking for innovations that are Tech Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, ie. validated in a lab and now ready to be tested in a real-world environment.

Proof-of-Concept/Pilot

BlueScope operates all across Australia and will identify a suitable location in Australia for the proposed POC/pilot. They would like the POC/pilot to be conducted in 2024. Upon a successful POC/pilot, they are open to rolling out the solution to other markets where the solution is suited. 
 
BlueScopeX will fund the POC/pilot project with S$8,800.

Enterprise Singapore is augmenting this support with a S$20,000 POC development grant. The POC Development grant will be awarded to startups/SMEs incorporated in Singapore for projects with overseas pilot deployment potential. Foreign startups/SMEs may be considered if developmental activities are based in Singapore and only if a Singapore office is incorporated.

In addition, BlueScope will provide:
  1. Deep knowledge and industry expertise – They have a deep understanding of the steel industry and unrivalled insights into the challenges and opportunities that exist.
  2. Networks and connections – Their global network and broad relationships afford them both global reach and scale.
  3. Capital – They not only have the capability to invest early, but also to continue to do so in the later rounds. The areas of interest stated above are areas that BlueScopeX invests in.

Additional Information

Info Session 

Check out the recording from our Info Session, where BlueScope shared more about their challenge statement.

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