Making green money

Green products are becoming much more favored by consumers all over the world. That’s why green values, including the manufacturing process that leaves little impact on the environment and energy-saving products, are recognized not only as social responsibility but also a new promising area of doing business.

PEB Steel Buildings Co., Ltd., which came to Vietnam in 1994, is one among many enterprises that are promoting green products now that the awareness of environmental protection is rising. The company is the first pre-engineered steel building manufacturer in Vietnam to become a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. The firm’s commitment to environmental protection takes many forms in the design and use of materials for its projects.

PEB Steel Vietnam workers assemble a steel structure

Although PEB Steel Buildings has long supplied green pre-engineered buildings which help save on energy, only last year did the company begin to promote the green values of its products after winning a bid to supply structures for green industrial projects of Nike subcontractors in Tay Ninh Province. The factory covering 220,000 square meters is invested by Taekwang Vina, who requested that the Environment Conditions be satisfied by using materials which meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) requirements.

The LEED Green Building System was established in 1993 by the U.S. Building Council to provide criteria for rating the energy efficiency, public health benefit and low-impact design of new and existing structures.

“Last year, after winning the contract for the green projects, we realized that our products could meet the environmental requirements. So why not promoting the green values?” says Vo Hoang Dung, marketing manager of the company. She notes green values are being touted as an advantage of the company, and more environment-minded customers are coming.

To meet LEED green requirements, PEB Steel Buildings chooses environmentally friendly products and materials, including spangle galvanized lead-free purlins, non-chromate steel sheet for roofing and wall system, and wall system with high solar reflectance among others. Besides, the company’s buildings are designed to ensure fullness of natural lights, and little heat to limit usage of electric lighting and air-conditioners, thus saving on energy.

In another development, the company itself is trying to save the energy in its operations. Nabil Khalaf, plant manager in the PEB Steel Buildings factory in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, says the company cuts the electric bill by over 20% by reducing energy consumption through the use of energy-efficient lighting, high-performance building exterior walls with improved insulation, and high-efficiency mechanical systems.

Raising awareness of staff is also an important part of the energy-saving drive

“We always train staff and workers how to be environmentally friendly and use power only when needed,” says the manager.