ICSTI Statement on Nanotechnology - Forfás

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6.8 Construction Sector
6.8.1 Sectoral Overview
The construction industry needs little introduction. In Ireland the
industry is composed of a range of players, from world leaders
(e.g. CRH and Kingspan) to a large number of smaller but
successful companies.
The industry produces a wide range of products covering almost
every aspect of the industry; including aggregates, cement,
insulation, timber, concrete products, piping and specialty products.
Given the bulk nature of the products, construction is not
generally an export oriented business although many companies,
through product innovation and differentiation are accessing
international markets.
Globally markets tend to be served by local players, but
companies such as CRH etc. now have global reach through
acquisition of local production/marketing facilities.
The trends within the construction sector are to develop high
performance materials through the incorporation of newer
materials into established products, thereby creating more
durable, efficient, cost-effective and superior buildings.
It must be recognised that practitioners in this industry are
conservative and that any development must take account of this.
The slow acceptance of timber framed housing in Ireland is an
example of this, despite its acceptance in other geographies for
decades.
6.8.2 Technology Roadmap
The key drivers for this sector are to meet the growing legislative
and societal needs and still make a reasonable profit. This has
created the need to combine activities such as the reduction of
costs for building, with the improvement in durability,
maintenance and health and safety. Traditionally, these would
have been considered to be separate activities.