07 Jun 2011

Cobiax AG to Expand Green Construction Technology Footprint in Asia‐Pacific

Mainboard‐listed construction group and property developer, Tiong Seng Holdings Limited (長成控股) ("Tiong Seng, together with its subsidiaries, "the Group), today announced that its majority‐owned subsidiary Cobiax Technologies AG ("Cobiax AG) has established a wholly‐owned unit Cobiax Technologies (Asia) Pte Ltd ("Cobiax Asia), as its vehicle to expand its cutting‐edge green construction technology in Singapore and the Asia‐Pacific region.

Cobiax removes unnecessary deadweight of concrete slabs by positioning void formers within, thereby reducing concrete volume by up to 30% without modifying flexural strength. As a result, architects are now able to design larger and clearer span structures, where the distance between columns can be designed up to 20 metres. The system also optimises the foundation works of buildings and removes unnecessary beams in the structure, increasing productivity during construction.

The reduction in the concrete used in Cobiax systems also translates to direct reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. According to a study conducted by a German research organisation¹, every cubic metre of concrete displaced by Cobiax reduces approximately 210kg of CO2 emissions, which makes Cobiax an ideal option for green builders.

Cobiax continues to expand its presence in Europe this year, garnering new landmark projects including an office complex Vodafone Campus in Dusseldorf and Hafen City University in Hamburg, Germany.

Through its Singapore‐based unit, Cobiax AG plans to replicate Cobiax's success in Singapore and the Asia‐Pacific region. To date, there are 5 projects utilising Cobiax and plans are underway to expand its market share in Singapore and beyond. Cobiax Asia will handle both sales and technical support to customers and projects in Singapore and the rest of the Asia‐Pacific region. Said Mr Michael Stuecklin, the Managing Director of Cobiax Asia, "Asia's pledge on emissions reduction forms the foundation that leads to increasing demand for green solutions. We take pride in playing our role for the environment with Cobiax, which is an innovative and effective solution that supports the global call for action to combat climate change. Given our track record in Europe, we are looking foward to replicating this success in the Asia‐Pacific.

About Tiong Seng Holdings
Tiong Seng is principally engaged in building construction and civil engineering in Singapore, and property development in the PRC. With an established track record of over 50 years, Tiong Seng is one of the leading building construction and civil engineering contractors in Singapore. It holds the highest grading of A1 from the Building Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) for both general building and civil engineering, which qualifies the Group to undertake public sector construction projects with unlimited contract value.

Tiong Seng's property development business focuses on developing residential and commercial projects in various second‐ and third‐tier cities in the PRC. The Group has successfully developed properties in Tianjin, Suzhou and Yangzhou and it currently has four on‐going projects in the Bohai Economic Rim, which is one of the main economic zones in the PRC.

About Cobiax Technologies AG
Established in 1997, Cobiax Technologies AG is based in Zug, Switzerland. Its cutting‐edge, internationally‐ patented Cobiax® technology was launched in 2005, and sold directly in Switzerland, Germany, Austria as well as through licencees in United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Iceland, Greece, Slovakia, Cyprus, Portugal, South Africa, Iran, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Cobiax is the first and so far the only bi‐axial load transfer technology for concrete slabs that is awarded the National Technical Approval by the German Institute of Building Technology, which officially confirms this construction method to be in compliance with the strict and high concrete design standard in Europe.

In 2010, Cobiax was conferred the Swiss Environmental Award for its outstanding ecological performance and successful CO2 reductions, innovativeness and professional implementation. This is one of the highest environmental distinctions awards in Switzerland organised by the Pro Aqua‐Pro Vita Foundation, sponsored by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN).