Apr 8 2008
DuPont and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote the cause of green building design and certification in India.
The agreement was signed by Balvinder Kalsi, president of DuPont India, and Dr. R. K. Pachauri, director general, TERI, with Thomas F. Schuler, DuPont Building Innovations vice president and general manager, in attendance. The signing ceremony was held during the Talking Tomorrow Lecture Series organized by TERI-BCSD (Business Council for Sustainable Development) India, an industry group with 76 corporate members that engage with TERI on sustainable development, environmental management and corporate responsibility.
"DuPont, like TERI, is committed to sustainable buildings. This agreement will further strengthen our long-standing working relationship," Schuler said. "We will continue to use science and innovation to deliver advanced products to the global marketplace, enabling architects and designers to build sustainable, cost- and energy-efficient buildings with solutions such as Tyvek(R) building wraps, vapor breathable radiant barriers and insulated panels for exterior cladding."
"Buildings are responsible for at least 40 percent of energy use in most countries and are major contributors to global emissions," said Mili Majumdar, head of TERI's Green Building project (GRIHA). "Energy efficiency in buildings is very crucial in India since the construction sector is growing at a very fast pace. TERI has been at the forefront of spreading knowledge on energy efficiency and this MoU will help increase awareness and information on products for efficient buildings."
TERI and DuPont also agreed on the need to have vapor breathability for a sound building envelope in the hot or mixed climate zones in India, where using vapor barriers could lead to moisture problems. Subject to approval by the Technical Advisory Committee set up by the Government of India, TERI agreed to recognize the effective design and use of air and water barriers in the building envelope, under the GRIHA rating system for Green Buildings.
Schuler delivered the keynote address at the lecture series organized by TERI, and underlined DuPont's commitment to sustainable building design. A range of building design ideas were presented to the audience, which was comprised of India's leading builders, policy makers and architects involved in green building design.
DuPont is a select member of TERI-BCSD India which is an independent platform for corporate leaders to address issues related to sustainable development. The business council seeks to promote leadership in achieving the triple bottom line: environmental management, social responsibility and economic performance. Initiated by TERI, the BCSD has now evolved into a strong industry body of 76 corporate members from diverse sectors across India.
DuPont manufactures and markets products for residential and commercial construction that offer high-performance weather and climate protection for buildings and their occupants, and sustainable energy management systems. These products include: the DuPont(TM) StormRoom(TM) with Kevlar(R); DuPont(TM) SentryGlas(R); DuPont(TM) Corian(R) and Zodiaq(R) solid surfaces and Granite Certified by DuPont(TM); DuPont(TM) RoofLiner with Elvaloy(R); DuPont(TM) Tyvek(R) Weather Barrier Systems including Tyvek(R) AtticWrap(TM), the first breathable roofing membrane to create an airtight attic, and Tyvek(R) ThermaWrap(TM), which helps reduce energy costs and increase comfort by improving the reflection of radiant energy in wall systems. DuPont also manufactures Tyvek(R) Weatherization Systems, including DuPont(TM) Tyvek(R) CommercialWrap(TM) and DuPont(TM) Tyvek(R) DrainWrap(TM).
DuPont India is a subsidiary of the U.S. parent. DuPont's relationship with India began in 1802 when the company received its first shipment of raw materials from India to produce black powder for explosives. Today, DuPont India markets a wide range of products in varied market segments. With close to 750 employees, DuPont India revenues have been growing at a rate of more than 25 percent annually in the last five years. DuPont India has six production facilities in three locations representing DuPont Crop Protection, DuPont Engineering Polymers, DuPont Refinish automotive paints and Pioneer(R) seeds.
DuPont Building Innovations is one of five business units in the DuPont Safety & Protection segment. The other businesses are DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems, DuPont Nonwovens, DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise and DuPont Safety Resources. The segment provides innovative products and services that protect people, buildings, critical processes and the environment. In 2007, the segment's revenues totaled $5.6 billion.