Building Technology Research Institute

Innovation is a key to uplift productivity and capacity, as well as to enhance the performance of the construction industry.  In order to tackle the challenges ahead and deliver the massive development programmes in a more efficient and cost-effective manner, there is a need to establish the Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi), a technology research facility dedicated to the construction industry in Hong Kong.  As announced in the 2024 Policy Address, the Development Bureau established the BTRi this August.  Apart from conducting R&D on innovative materials, construction methods and technologies, the BTRi also devises standards, conducts testing and provides accreditation to spearhead innovation in the industry.  The BTRi is a limited company wholly owned by the Financial Secretary Incorporated.

BTRi’s business mainly focuses on three aspects. The first aspect is to promote the application of innovative materials, construction methods, and advanced technologies through conducting researches, piloting application and facilitating recognition and acceptance by relevant authorities and regulators. BTRi will also steer and coordinate site applications of innovations in strategic projects, as well as collect and centralise the performance data. With these data, BTRi will further develop and formulate the relevant standards and requirements for the innovations. These are important references for facilitating the relevant authorities to accept construction innovation to enable industry-wide application and benefiting the construction industry at large.

The second aspect is to advance standards by conducting review on local standards, unifying standards among authorities, as well as collaborating with government authorities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to build the brand of "GBA Standards". BTRi will also provide expert support to facilitate the adoption of high-quality and cost-effective materials and products manufactured with different standards to be adopted in Hong Kong construction projects.

The third aspect is to enhance the testing and certification system for the construction industry. Through collaboration with testing institutes, laboratories and universities in Hong Kong and the GBA, BTRi aims to coordinate testing and compliance assessments on construction materials, methods and technologies for fostering higher efficiency and quality throughout the testing ecosystem.  BTRi also provides accreditation and certification for ensuring construction materials, products and manufacturers comply with the required standards. This would accelerate the adoption of more high-quality and cost-effective solutions in our construction projects. The first certification scheme to be implemented by BTRi is the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Manufacturer Certification Scheme which will ensure the certified manufacturers consistently delivering superior MiC components, strengthening the industry's growth and fostering a shared framework for excellence across the Greater Bay Area.