Construction

LINQ has created a demonstration unit for a five-star hotel room. (Image source: LINQ)

By the end of the decade, the GCC's hotel room stock is expected to have roughly doubled, putting pressure on the industry to adopt new and creative approaches to building hotels as quickly, effectively, and economically as possible.

In response to this potential, ALEC's modular construction division, LINQ, has made investments to increase its manufacturing capacity and can currently produce up to 1,900 completely furnished luxury rooms annually.

LINQ is positioned to become the premier modular construction partner for luxury serviced apartments, boutique hotels and regional resorts since it was the first firm to obtain a modular construction licence from the Dubai Municipality to pioneer G+6 structures.

Crucially, the company is able to achieve a remarkably low material waste rate—estimated by the Waste & Resources Action Program (WRAP) to be up to 90% less than traditional construction techniques—by producing its "plug-and-play" 3- to 5-star hotel rooms entirely offsite within the highly optimised and tightly controlled settings of its expansive production facility in Dubai.

Modular challenges

“When talking about 400,000 new hotel rooms being built over the next six years, every fraction counts. So, the efficiencies made possible by modular construction techniques quickly cascade to offer tremendous benefit. Paired with the potential for enhanced quality, and speed of delivery – made possible by factory-controlled production – this paradigm has the potential to play a significant role in meeting the GCC’s unprecedented demand for hotel room stock,” said Graham Petty, operations manager at LINQ.

Through the successful fabrication and installation of 218 serviced apartments at Sindalah, the region's most famous island resort, LINQ proved the viability and advantages of modular construction for the hotel industry through 2024. The company's efforts to develop sustainable materials that improve sustainability, durability, and efficiency were crucial to the project's success.

“We’re challenging misconceptions around build quality and acoustic performance that relate to dry walling and other traditional techniques. By introducing a lightweight cellular concrete infill to the regional market, we can offer rooms with industry-benchmarked acoustic, thermal and fire performance,” said Petty.

LINQ has created a demonstration unit for a five-star hotel room that will be on display at the next Project Control Expo in the United Arab Emirates in an effort to educate the market about this new building paradigm. This demo unit features a 50mm thick lightweight concrete floor, natural marble, and opulent craftsmanship. It also comes with the DigiValet independent guest room management system.

“We’re demonstrating that modular rooms can be every bit as high-quality, luxurious, and feature packed as their traditionally built counterparts. With global leading hospitality chains now signing on to adopt this approach for their properties in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, we’re at a critical inflection point. At LINQ, we’re primed for the opportunity and are excited to see this segment go from strength to strength,” concluded Petty.

This year’s event saw 442 exhibitors from 34 countries. (Image source: Messe Frankfurt)

The 18th edition of Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, concluded last week at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

This year’s event saw 442 exhibitors from 34 countries showcase the latest advancements in lighting, smart home solutions, and building automation technologies.

The event’s theme, 'Building Commonality Through Community, Creativity, and Culture,' set the tone for a series of groundbreaking product launches, international collaborations, and thought-provoking discussions.

Among the standout innovations was Spectrum Lighting’s new wireless-powered technology, which promises to revolutionise efficiency and sustainability in the lighting industry.

Another significant launch came from the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers, which unveiled its Methodology For Calculating Embodied Carbon In Building Services. This new guideline is expected to play a crucial role in redefining sustainability practices in the region.

Global Collaboration

The event also hosted the Global Associations Meet, a high-profile networking event that brought together over 100 industry leaders and representatives from major global lighting associations, including the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), and the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL).

Workshops led by the IES and SLL explored unified lighting standards and methodologies, fostering a global dialogue on best practices. Additionally, a dedicated designers' gallery showcased the work of top lighting design studios from the UAE, offering visitors a glimpse into the latest trends and innovations in lighting design.

In a unique initiative to support the next generation of industry professionals, students from the University of Sharjah presented innovative luminaire designs, demonstrating fresh perspectives and creative solutions in lighting technology. Art and technology also took centre stage with The Moving Hues 2.0, an immersive light art installation. It captivated audiences with its dynamic interplay of light, motion, and translucent layers, evoking the organic beauty of nature.

The Light Middle East Awards, now in its 11th edition, celebrated the best in regional and international lighting projects, products, and designers. The awards ceremony, the largest to date, brought together 550 global industry leaders who are shaping the future of lighting design and technology.

The 19th edition of the event is already in the works, scheduled to take place from 12–14 January 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Abdul Muhsin, show director for Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, said, “This year’s event has been our most successful yet, with a hattrick of achievements, including increases in exhibitor and visitor numbers and exhibition space growth as a result of this demand. The show's continued growth underscores the Middle East’s rising influence in the global lighting and building technology landscape, driven by increased investment in smart cities, sustainable design, and cutting-edge innovation.

“We’re delighted to see the continued evolvement of the event into a global hub where professionals, designers, and technology leaders come together to shape the future of lighting, smart home and building automation solutions.”

A50 underscores the company’s commitment to meeting evolving customer needs by providing more choices and improved operational capabilities. (Image source: Volvo)

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced a comprehensive update to its globally recognised articulated hauler lineup, marking the most extensive product portfolio renewal in decades.

The revamped range now includes models from A25 to A60, featuring significant technological advancements aimed at improving efficiency, safety, and adaptability for future drivetrain developments. A notable addition to the lineup is the all-new A50 model, which expands customer options in the demanding hauler segment.

A new range from A25 to A60

A pioneer in the articulated hauler industry since introducing ‘Gravel Charlie’ in 1966, Volvo CE is rolling out its latest lineup in a phased global release throughout 2025. This upgrade represents a significant technological leap, incorporating a new electronic system and an in-house developed transmission that delivers fuel efficiency improvements of up to 15%, depending on the model and application. Designed with adaptability in mind, the new haulers are constructed to integrate seamlessly with future drivetrains.

Introducing the A50 model

One of the most exciting highlights of the launch is the debut of the A50 model, which enhances Volvo CE’s offering in the hauler segment. Available in selected markets, the A50 underscores the company’s commitment to meeting evolving customer needs by providing more choices and improved operational capabilities. The updated haulers are engineered to lower the total cost of ownership while ensuring maximum safety and productivity, especially when combined with Volvo CE’s digital solutions such as Haul Assist with onboard weighing.

Melker Jernberg, president of Volvo CE, emphasised the company’s legacy of innovation,“For nearly 60 years we have been leading the way with our range of articulated haulers and now with today’s launch of a new range of outstanding products, including one completely new model, we prove that there are no limits to our capacity for innovation. Our customers know to expect a first-class operation when they get into one of our haulers, but that experience has just got even better with a host of cutting-edge features designed with our customers in mind.”

A circular approach to sustainability

The new range is designed to be among the most fuel-efficient hauling solutions on the market, incorporating sustainability-focused elements such as low-carbon emission steel made from recycled materials. This steel, produced using fossil-free electricity and biogas, is being integrated into the serial production of haulers at Volvo CE’s Braås site. Given that steel is a major component in Volvo CE’s products and is traditionally a significant source of carbon emissions, this material circularity initiative aligns with the company’s broader sustainability strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

A step towards the future

With over 35% of its total range renewed in the past 12 months, Volvo CE is taking a decisive step towards shaping the future of construction equipment. This latest product overhaul continues the company’s long-standing tradition of setting industry benchmarks for innovation and operational excellence, just as it did in 1966. By integrating cutting-edge features and sustainable manufacturing practices, Volvo CE reinforces its leadership in the articulated hauler segment and its commitment to meeting the challenges of tomorrow’s construction industry.

Also read: Volvo CE adopts low-carbon steel

Steel is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of construction equipment. (Image source: Volvo CE)

Volvo CE has begun integrating low-carbon emission steel into the serial production of all articulated haulers manufactured at its Braås facility in Sweden.

The company said that this move aligns with the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions across its value chain, both in machine operation and material sourcing, as part of its goal to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Steel is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of construction equipment, accounting for around 60% of an articulated hauler’s total mass and more than half of its emissions in the cradle-to-gate life cycle.

Cradle-to-gate is a model that assesses a product's environmental footprint from raw materials extraction until it leaves the factory-“gate”.

Growing sustainability plans

Volvo CE first introduced fossil-free steel in 2021 in partnership with Swedish steel producer SSAB, unveiling a concept hauler made from this material. In 2022, it became the first company to deliver a construction machine built with fossil-free steel to a customer.

Now, Volvo CE is scaling up its efforts by incorporating low-carbon emission steel—produced using recycled steel and powered by fossil-free electricity and biogas—into mass production.

Currently, 13% of the total steel mass in articulated haulers built at Braås has been replaced with this material, with plans to increase this proportion as supply chain availability grows.

This shift is expected to cut Volvo CE’s CO₂ emissions by approximately 13,000 tons per year, a reduction of over 5% within the cradle-to-gate scope.

Rickard Alm, head of Volvo CE’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) programme, said, “We are proud to lead the way in the industry and move forward towards minimising our climate footprint across the entire lifecycle of our products. While emissions from product use represent the vast majority of carbon output in our industry, it is important to also act to cut emissions in the production phase, including materials like steel, in close collaboration with our global supply partners.”