Dec 16 2010
Bayer MaterialScience AG and Asklepios Kliniken GmbH have set up a cooperation project to implement environmentally friendly solutions in hospitals and healthcare facilities. As part of this collaboration, the EcoCommercial Building Initiative established by Bayer MaterialScience will support the hospital operator’s "Green Hospital" program in achieving sustainable development in its healthcare facilities.
The Asklepios program pursues a holistic approach that regards environmental performance, energy consumption and the comfort of patients as equally important. It can be applied to both new and existing hospital buildings.
"The main focus in healthcare is on cost-efficiency, sustainability and quality for patients," said Dr. Tobias Kaltenbach, Chairman of Corporate Management of Asklepios Kliniken GmbH. "Hospital buildings are among the most energy-intensive of all facilities. Our approach to improving energy and cost efficiency is to establish collaborations with experienced partners in the field of sustainable construction."
Bayer MaterialScience runs the EcoCommercial Building program in cooperation with selected companies and service providers with the aim of promoting the development, renovation and construction of energy-efficient and cost-effective industrial and office buildings. This principle of sustainable construction has now been transferred to hospitals.
During the current first stage of the collaboration with Asklepios, member companies of the EcoCommercial Building program run by Bayer MaterialScience are developing a hygienic and yet robust floor coating for the hospitals. It is simple to apply, cures quickly and is easy to clean. The floor can be walked on shortly after it has been coated and is easy to maintain.
"High-performance materials used during the construction and renovation of hospitals have a major impact on patient health, environmental performance and costs," said Peter Warmbier, head of Marketing and Business Development at Bayer MaterialScience’s Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment for the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) region. "High-performance floor coatings in particular enable us to raise standards in hygiene and comfort. What’s more, hospitals can also benefit from the comprehensive expertise offered by other members of the EcoCommercial Building program."
The portfolio of the EcoCommercial Building network ranges from financing to energy efficiency assessments and concrete measures such as building insulation, glazing and coatings. The initiative also offers solutions that harness energy from renewable sources, with other offerings including acoustic wall elements for sound systems or noise reduction and developments aimed at improving the indoor climate in healthcare buildings.
"This collaboration is further evidence of our network’s flexibility for sustainable construction," said Dr. Thomas Braig, head of the EcoCommercial Building program in the EMEA region. "The Green Hospital program is a pioneering healthcare project, and we look forward to working with it to further develop the concept of environmentally friendly and cost-effective construction with our materials, technologies and services."