Shimizu Corporation and Tokyo University of Science launched a joint project, "Green Functional Building Materials R&D Platform," which focuses on the environmental load performance of non-structural materials such as building interior and exterior materials. We aim to build a system that evaluates and visualizes carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for each life stage. Promote research and development of high-performance materials and construction methods that contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions during manufacturing and construction of non-structural members. We are also considering cooperation with material manufacturers.
The platform was set up as a "co-creation project" by the Tokyo University of Science's Institute for Research Promotion (Director Hiroshi Nishihara). A cross-disciplinary research system will be established centering on the Department of Architecture of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, with the Department of Advanced Chemistry, the Department of Management System Engineering, and the Department of International Fire Science at the same graduate school. The installation period is until March 2025. Research expenses are expected to be 150 million yen.
Director of Kakegawa Institute of Technology
There are a huge variety of materials and construction methods for non-structural members, which account for about 20% of CO2 emissions during the construction stage. Until now, individual research and development has been the mainstream, and this is the industry's first initiative to comprehensively target a wide variety of materials.
The reality is that no evaluation method has been established that takes into account CO2 emissions throughout the life cycle of nonstructural members, including the construction and operation stages. The co-creation project aims to build a system that evaluates and visualizes CO2 emissions.
The main targets are interior and exterior materials, opening materials, and base materials. We will accelerate research in the fields of resource saving, long life, high heat insulation, utilization of wood, and resource recycling, and lead to the development of high-performance materials and construction methods.
At a press conference held in Tokyo on the 29th, Director Nishihara expressed his determination to "bring together wisdom with Shimizu Corporation to lead initiatives for environmental consideration, carbon neutrality, and resource recycling." Hidefumi Kakegawa, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Technology Research Institute of Shimizu Corporation, emphasized, "We aim to realize eco-friendly buildings through the establishment of academic foundations and research and development."
