Green building in Spain: A sound & growing Australian presence

Thursday 6 June: Austrade recently held the first Australian Green Building Seminar (entitled "Australia and Spain - Links to Build a Sustainable Future") at the Australian Embassy in Madrid to raise the profile of Australian sustainable building capability as a response to new Spanish government legislation in this sector.

Presentations were made by Elaine Huurman, Head of Sustainability at Bovis Lend Lease (Madrid) office, Juan Ramon Miguelez Garcia, Environmental Assessment Manager, Europe and Africa of Worley Parsons (Madrid), Rafael Jimenez, representing Seeley International Iberica (subsidiary of Seeley Australia) and Spanish architect Iñigo Ortiz who participated in the outwards mission to Australia last year organised by ICEX, Austrade's Spanish counterpart.

Austrade Business Development Manager, Auriol Seaton said the event was aimed at raising awareness levels of Australian green building products and services in the Spanish market, offering a platform to develop commercial relations between the two countries.

"Few Australian or Spanish companies realise that there is an established presence of Australian construction and project management companies active in the Green Building sector in Spain. The event helped increase Australia´s international profile and give case studies of Australian collaboration in Spanish projects."

Despite a drop in the Spanish construction sector and an oversupply of housing in Spain, a significant market for refurbishment is emerging.

"There are more than 25 million houses in Spain and over 60% were built before 1980. An estimated ten million houses need refurbishment and when this work is done they will need to comply with new building regulations," Ms Seaton said. Opportunities for Australian companies and key areas of focus outlined in the Spanish legislation include energy saving efficiency, lighting reduction technologies, water management and the use of innovative building and recycling materials.

For the third consecutive year, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) lauded Spain as the leading country in Europe for certifications for environmental management standards.

Michelle Wade, Trade Commissioner to Spain said that despite the financial downturn this was still a time for Australian exporters to plan future expansion strategies and start new alliances overseas.

"Companies are using the downturn as time to assess their future business strategy. This is the time to investigate and develop new relationships and agreements."

"Architects, distributors and construction companies are seeking to differentiate their product and service offering with new and innovative products and services and are keen to see the latest innovation from Australia," she said.

The promotion showcased a diverse range of sophisticated green technologies from Australian companies such as Atlantis, Barloch Industries, Cundall, Albatech, Seeley International and service provider Jackson Lalic Lawyers.

Media Contact:
Annabel Murphy
Australian Trade Commission - Australian Embassy
Phone: +34 91 353 66 17
Mobile: +34 699 35 14 41
Fax: +34 91 442 38 85
Email: Annabel.Murphy@austrade.gov.au