While we're on the topic of cladding - James Hardie developed fibre reinforced cement cladding in the 80's as a replacement for asbestos based products. http://www.jameshardie.com.au/fibre-cement/
Would have to be a safe alternative to the made in China aluminium based composite cladding. Checked to see the type of cladding the recently built Royal North Shore Hospital used and saw that they had the fibre cement option (see picture on link). http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/vitragroup/product-80058-1353407.html
