Dura Composites prepare to capitalise on US$100 million market at Outdoor Design Build & Supply 09.02.2013: Caption: UK based Dura Composites predict that the UAE market for its

Caption: UK based Dura Composites predict that the UAE market for its eco-friendly composite timber decking and cladding is worth more than US$100 million annually.


Eco-friendly timber composites aim to dominate Middle East outdoor construction sector


Suppliers of traditional hard-wood and soft-wood outdoor decking and cladding for the UAE outdoor construction industry have been warned – the time for eco-friendly, sustainable, and recyclable timber composites has come.


That is the message of UK based Dura Composites, supplier of timber composite products for flooring and facades, which predict that the market in the UAE for its environmentally friendly product range, made from 87% recycled materials, is worth more than US$100 million per year.


Dura Composites will be looking to drive the message further next month, as they prepare for a Middle East launch of its brand new range of timber composite Dura Cladding at Outdoor Design Build & Supply, taking place from 25-27 March, 2013 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.


Paul Fletcher, Key Account Manager in the Middle East for Dura Composites, said that not only are its products more eco-friendly than hard-wood and soft-wood products, but are far more durable, making them perfect for the harsh outdoor desert environments in the Middle East.


“Our full line-up of Dura Composites products look and feel like natural wood, and their unique formula provides lightweight yet durable cladding or decking that will not splinter, warp, rot or fade throughout its 25 years life expectancy,” said Fletcher.


“The UAE and Middle East is a relatively untapped market, but it needs to be developed.  It’s a matter of keeping architects, specifiers and contractors well informed about the long-term benefits our products provide.”


Dura Composites will be doing just that at the inaugural three-day Outdoor Design Build & Supply show, which is held in strategic partnership with the Dubai Municipality, and will attract thousands of key decision makers from regional governments and urban planning officials, to corporate project managers and landscape architects.


Established in the Middle East five years ago, Dura has already supplied its well established Dura Decking Composite to major schools, hotels and shopping malls in the region, while up-coming venues include highly focal areas around the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.


The Dura Decking range, which will be among Dura’s product range line-up at Outdoor Design Build & Supply, is the first timber composite ever to become FSC 100% certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) guaranteeing the use of FSC certified forests throughout the production chain.


Added Fletcher: “When looking at initial outlay, Dura Decking is slightly more expensive than traditional wood decking, but it is often cheaper to use because it lasts so much longer and doesn’t require any painting or staining.


“An independent report that compared whole life cycle costs over a 25 year period confirmed that a square meter of Dura Decking is AED790 cheaper than soft-wood and AED2,200 cheaper than hard-wood.”


Organised by Streamline Marketing Group, Outdoor Design Build & Supply is the Middle East’s foremost landscaping trade show focusing on the design, build and supply of all private and public outdoor spaces in the region.


In addition to the Dubai Municipality as a strategic partner, the brand new show is supported by Municipality of Abu Dhabi City and Al Ain Municipality.


Other headline exhibitors taking part include Bluestream Environmental Technology, Ithara Group, Fitco Irrigation, Greenworks, The Inout Company, Orient Irrigation, Terraverde, Timberwolf, and Toscana Landscaping.


Outdoor Design Build & Supply is supported by the largest buyers of outdoor products and services.  More information is available at www.theoutdoorshow.ae.



- Gareth Wright, Total Communications Dubai - also photo