Building a Resilient Future: The Move Toward Disaster-Resistant Construction Practices

As published in the SV February 2025 Newsletter

The rising occurrence of natural disasters, such as California's wildfires and Florida's hurricanes, highlights the need for more resilient construction practices. In January, Los Angeles faced wildfires that caused 29 deaths, destroyed over 16,000 structures, and led to financial losses estimated between $28 billion and $275 billion, potentially making it the costliest disaster in U.S. history.

Massive devastation caused by the LA fires

In response, the building industry is adopting innovative strategies to strengthen structures against such events. For example, homes with advanced insulation and airtight designs have shown increased resistance to wildfires by preventing embers and smoke from entering.

Retrofitting existing buildings is also becoming more common to enhance resilience. The global energy retrofit systems market was valued at approximately $202.56 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.4% from 2024 to 2030, driven by the need to upgrade aging infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events and comply with stricter building regulations.

One approach involves using alternative construction materials like magnesium-based cements. These cements replace the calcium oxide in traditional Portland cement with magnesium oxide, offering a lower-carbon alternative. However, challenges such as limited raw material availability and higher costs have limited their widespread use.

Additionally, the changing political climate in the U.S. has introduced tariffs on construction materials sourced from China, leading to increased costs for builders.

Despite challenges like high upfront costs, labor shortages, and tariffs on Chinese construction materials, the construction industry must adopt resilient practices. ZS2 Technologies leads this shift with its North American-made magnesium oxide cement, offering durable, fire-resistant, low-carbon solutions. Their precise manufacturing enhances efficiency and safety, protecting construction investments.

Please contact Mitchell Hauser or Tony Coretto for further information or to arrange a meeting with Scott Jenkins, ZS2's CEO.