AMMAN — The Jordan Green Building Council (GBC) on Thursday concluded the GREEN INTERBUILD Exhibition and Forum to introduce sustainable building, smart innovative solutions, environment-friendly and more green future in the industry sector.

 

International and national companies had took part in the four-day exhibition, as well as The Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF), and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources attended the event, which was held at the international exhibition halls in Mecca mall.

 

Among the countries, there were 20 companies only from China, while there were companies and factories from Oman, Iraq, France, Italy, the US, and other countries, that have their factories either based in Jordan or from all over the world.

 

During the event, there were dialogues including topics of sustinabulity and reconstruction of Gaza, conducted by relevant associations and unions.

 

The participant booths show their green and sustainable products and materials for the construction and engineering projects as follows:

 

Eco Stone, a company that has been a pioneer in Jordan for 19 years, is turning heads with its "eco-friendly" synthetic stone. Imad Masri, a company representative, explained the philosophy behind the name.

 

"We call it eco-stone because it's a recycling of materials," Masri said. "Its components are cement, sand, crushed marble, and silica. This product is a perfect alternative to natural stone."

 

He highlighted the product's durability and efficiency, offering a lifetime warranty on colour and a low water absorption rate of less than 2per cent. Masri also pointed out a key benefit for builders: "The weight is lighter than natural stone, which helps reduce the load on the building—a positive thing."

 

Another company making waves is SICO Tiles. Bakr Hamdi, from the company, emphasised that all their products are "completely eco-friendly and sustainable because they are all recycled." He noted that they use marble powder, a by-product of the marble industry, which is filtered and reused.

 

"We use natural mineral pigments, not chemical ones, all from German companies with certified sustainable practices," Hamdi said, adding that the company's commitment to quality control has reduced its waste rate to just 2 per cent, significantly lower than the industry average of 8 per cent.

 

Ajyal Plastic Industries also showcased an eco-friendly material. A representative named Sumayah explained the long-lasting nature of their UPVC product. "It lasts for about 50 years," she stated. "It doesn't break down from chemicals, weather, humidity, or anything, which is why it's an eco-friendly material."

 

The focus on sustainability extends beyond traditional building materials. The Consultants for Water and Environmental Technology presented solutions for waste management and water recycling.

 

Mahmoud Shehadeh, representing the company, displayed two key products. The first is a food waste disposer that grinds food scraps into a slurry, which can then be de-watered and used as fertiliser. The second is a "grey water" system. "We take water from showers and sinks, put it in a device, and make it suitable for agriculture," he explained.

 

In the energy sector, EVER GREEN is tackling the challenge of power consumption. Farah Qaqish, from the company, discussed their focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency contracts. She mentioned a "win-win" model where they replace old appliances at their own expense and recoup the cost from the energy savings.

 

However, Qaqish noted that recent governmental changes to energy legislation have impacted the industry. She cited a new law that has significantly increased fees for using the national grid, which has limited the financial incentive for businesses to install renewable energy systems.

 

"Jordan has reached approximately 27 per cent of its energy from renewable sources," Qaqish said, noting that this is a remarkable figure for the region. "But we've reached a point where the state has decided to slow down a bit by reducing the incentives."

 

International players are also part of Jordan's green transformation. Tarkett Group, a French company with a global presence, is showcasing its commitment to sustainable flooring.

 

Raina Farhat, a representative for the group, stated that all of their 35 factories are focused on being "eco-friendly and sustainable." She noted that their products contain a minimum of 30per cent recycled content and are made using clean energy.

 

"We use natural materials," Farhat said, "and we have both post-consumer and pre-consumer recycling. This means we take back materials after they've been used and recycle them to be used again."

 

She also highlighted an innovative use of a by-product from water purification to create the backing for their carpets, further demonstrating the circular economy in action.

 

The GREEN INTERBUILD Exhibition proves that Jordan is not just adopting green technologies but is actively innovating and leading in the region, with local and international companies collaborating to build a more sustainable future.