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Martin Choi

Hong Kong developer Chinachem Group and the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) have partnered to launch a sustainable protective window coating as part of an industry push to use green technology to reduce construction waste.
The patented peelable nano-scale protective coating will be applied to windows for around 2,300 units of Chinachem’s residential projects in Tai Po and Tung Chung during construction over the next two years, said Donald Choi Wun-hing, executive director and CEO of Chinachem.
“This innovation aligns with green building principles, aiming at reducing material waste, enhancing construction quality and increasing apartment buyers’ satisfaction,” Choi said.
Chinachem set out to develop the coating with NAMI to address a high rate of damaged glass during building construction, a pain point in the city’s property industry. Up to 30 per cent of glass windows need to be replaced before handing over newly built flats to homebuyers, Chinachem’s Choi said.
“The nano coating enhances cost-effectiveness and prioritises environmental efficiency by reducing construction waste,” Choi said. “Its single-layer thickness provides sufficient protective strength to eliminate the need for additional foam board wrapping. Additionally, the coating is easily removable and reusable, minimising construction waste.”
The innovative technology shows successful collaboration between research institutes and the property industry, offering new and cost-effective solutions to the construction sector while promoting sustainable development in Hong Kong, said Ivan Sham, chief commercial officer of NAMI.
Hong Kong Science Park-based NAMI was set up in 2006 as a subsidiary of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and has been designated by the government’s Innovation and Technology Commission as a research and development centre for nanotechnology and advanced materials.
“The nano-coating can be applied to a variety of building materials, including glass windows, metal surfaces and treated wooden furniture, unlike traditional protective materials which are only applicable to flat surfaces,” said NAMI’s Sham. “The cost of the nano coating is comparable to products with similar functions in the market, but applying it requires less manpower.”
The patented coating can be reused up to five times, compared with conventional protective materials that are disposed of after one use, said Chinachem’s Choi.

The peelable coating, which is applied at the construction site, is derived from a silicone-based mixture, Sham added. The environmentally friendly formula is solvent-free, preventing the release of harmful substances such as volatile organic compounds.
The coating also helps conserve energy use during construction by allowing natural light to pass through the glass. Contractors sometimes resort to additional wrapping of glass windows with foam boards, which have low light transmittance, requiring additional indoor lighting during the construction stage, said Edmond Lo, project director at Chinachem.
“Moreover, traditional adhesive protective coatings may adhere to the glass firmly, requiring extensive cleaning efforts,” Lo said. “The development of nano-coatings addresses this industry problem.
“This groundbreaking initiative will set a new standard for developers and promises significant benefits for the sustainable growth of Hong Kong’s construction industry, such as reduction in construction waste and carbon emissions.”
The father of the global green building movement recently called on Hong Kong builders to use more environmentally friendly materials. While they are “as good as I’ve seen anywhere in the world”, they can do more to reduce carbon footprint, said David Gottfried, founder of both the World Green Building Council and the US Green Building Council.


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The peelable protective coating jointly developed by Chinachem Group and NAMI. Photo: Handout

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Developed with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, it aims to cut the loss of up to 30 per cent of windows during construction


Developed with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, the reusable coating aims to address losses of up to 30 per cent for windows during construction.


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Hong Kong builder Chinachem launches protective window coating to cut construction waste

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Developed with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, it aims to cut the loss of up to 30 per cent of windows during construction

Developed with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, it aims to cut the loss of up to 30 per cent of windows during construction