Designers claim that plants not only provide a beautiful alternative to other materials used in construction, they also offer additional benefits, including noise reduction, natural cooling, air conditioning and a psychological boost to those who use the buildings.

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The rise in housing starts since the market bottomed last year "means more demand for construction equipment and steel and lumber and other materials that we haul, " Mr. Tennant said.

WSJ: Economy Adds 88,000 Jobs

His many other inventions -- including explosive materials like the smokeless powder Ballistite -- were used for militaristic, mining, construction and other industrial purposes.

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His other business investments are in venture capital in companies that range from telecommunications to construction materials, beer and energy technology.

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The World Bank and other international agencies don't do enough to stop the use of asbestos in construction materials.

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Other Iranian goods gaining increased market share in Middle Eastern and Asian countries include automobiles, minerals, and construction materials.

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