The construction chemicals market should grow at around 14-16 per cent per annum for the next five years

01 Dec 2015 Editorial Team

- Dr Sanjay Bahadur, Global CEO-Construction Chemical Division, Pidilite Industries Ltd

With its main focus being waterproofing, the way forward for Pidilite Industries Ltd is waterproofing and insulation. Today, Dr Fixit is one of the most trusted brands in the Indian construction industry, known for its innovation and pioneering solutions for waterproofing. Moreover, the company has introduced revolutionary product lines such as Newcoat Coool and Raincoat Coool, which is paving the way forward for dual benefit coatings. Dr Sanjay Bahadur-Global CEO, Construction Chemical Division, Pidilite Industries Ltd, shares more on the company´s offering as well as a market overview.

How do you view the current market for waterproofing and construction chemicals?
The Indian construction chemicals market is still at a nascent stage. Usage levels are low compared to the peer markets due to limited product awareness and its benefits as well as price conscious customers. However, the industry has showcased significant growth in the last five years.

Elaborate on Pidilite´s offerings.
Pidilite has developed an advanced high-end range of waterproofing system with 25 years of waterproofing and insulation warranty. These new solutions will contribute significantly as the value proposition is strong. Our solutions include Dr Fixit LEC (Low Energy Consumption) and Dr Fixit Blue Seal for sustainable construction. These products enhance the lifecycle of the building providing better insulation and reducing heat. Additionally, these products help in reducing thermal stress on a structure and eliminate leakages that result in expansion of steel used in the core of walls and pillars.

What are the market drivers at present?
The growth of the segments is strongly linked to construction and infrastructure industry nationwide. The mammoth $1 trillion infrastructure investment during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan, the government´s ´Housing for All by 2022´ target and the upcoming 100 Smart Cities project will be the main drivers for the segments.

Highlight the different types of waterproofing applications available.
Green construction is the current trend across the construction chemicals and waterproofing solutions market nationwide. We at Pidilite, offer a wide range of applications such as waterproofing, repair solutions for existing structures and tile fixing solutions. We also offer a host of other applications like exterior coatings, sealants, concrete admixtures, floorings and grouts to satisfy all construction-related problems.

We give paramount importance to terrace waterproofing. Our new products have been developed for terrace leakage issues. From Dr Fixit, some products are perfectly suited to the Indian climate and include the protective top coats like Newcoat, Newcoat Coool and Newcoat Ezee.

We also have Roff Roff to offer consumers a complete range of tile and stone fixing solutions. These include Roff Non-Skid Adhesive, Roff Glass Tile Adhesive, Roff Ply Master, Fevitite Vertifix, Roff Rainbow Tile Mate Epoxy, and Roff Tile Bonder.

In the present day, what are the challenges faced by manufacturers?
One of the biggest challenges is low awareness about the benefits of utilising construction chemicals. Not many people realise that though construction chemicals entail higher initial costs, it becomes economically beneficial over the long term. Other challenges are shortage of skilled manpower and inadequate usage knowledge. The industry also does not have stringent enforcement of quality standards.To resolve the issue of inadequate knowledge and untrained applicators, Pidilite has set up the Dr Fixit Knowledge Centre at Kochi. The company also runs a not-for-profit organisation called Dr Fixit Institute for the ACE Community and students of Civil Engineering.

How do you view the market growing in the times to come?
Although at a nascent stage, the Indian construction chemicals market has witnessed growth from Rs 1,900 crore in 2009 to approximately Rs 3,500 crore in 2014. We expect the market to grow at around 14-16 per cent per annum for the next five years. Once the benefits that can be obtained from utilising construction chemicals is widely realised, the market will witness further expansion.

- Dr Sanjay Bahadur, Global CEO-Construction Chemical Division, Pidilite Industries Ltd With its main focus being waterproofing, the way forward for Pidilite Industries Ltd is waterproofing and insulation. Today, Dr Fixit is one of the most trusted brands in the Indian construction industry, known for its innovation and pioneering solutions for waterproofing. Moreover, the company has introduced revolutionary product lines such as Newcoat Coool and Raincoat Coool, which is paving the way forward for dual benefit coatings. Dr Sanjay Bahadur-Global CEO, Construction Chemical Division, Pidilite Industries Ltd, shares more on the company´s offering as well as a market overview. How do you view the current market for waterproofing and construction chemicals? The Indian construction chemicals market is still at a nascent stage. Usage levels are low compared to the peer markets due to limited product awareness and its benefits as well as price conscious customers. However, the industry has showcased significant growth in the last five years. Elaborate on Pidilite´s offerings. Pidilite has developed an advanced high-end range of waterproofing system with 25 years of waterproofing and insulation warranty. These new solutions will contribute significantly as the value proposition is strong. Our solutions include Dr Fixit LEC (Low Energy Consumption) and Dr Fixit Blue Seal for sustainable construction. These products enhance the lifecycle of the building providing better insulation and reducing heat. Additionally, these products help in reducing thermal stress on a structure and eliminate leakages that result in expansion of steel used in the core of walls and pillars. What are the market drivers at present? The growth of the segments is strongly linked to construction and infrastructure industry nationwide. The mammoth $1 trillion infrastructure investment during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan, the government´s ´Housing for All by 2022´ target and the upcoming 100 Smart Cities project will be the main drivers for the segments. Highlight the different types of waterproofing applications available. Green construction is the current trend across the construction chemicals and waterproofing solutions market nationwide. We at Pidilite, offer a wide range of applications such as waterproofing, repair solutions for existing structures and tile fixing solutions. We also offer a host of other applications like exterior coatings, sealants, concrete admixtures, floorings and grouts to satisfy all construction-related problems. We give paramount importance to terrace waterproofing. Our new products have been developed for terrace leakage issues. From Dr Fixit, some products are perfectly suited to the Indian climate and include the protective top coats like Newcoat, Newcoat Coool and Newcoat Ezee. We also have Roff Roff to offer consumers a complete range of tile and stone fixing solutions. These include Roff Non-Skid Adhesive, Roff Glass Tile Adhesive, Roff Ply Master, Fevitite Vertifix, Roff Rainbow Tile Mate Epoxy, and Roff Tile Bonder. In the present day, what are the challenges faced by manufacturers? One of the biggest challenges is low awareness about the benefits of utilising construction chemicals. Not many people realise that though construction chemicals entail higher initial costs, it becomes economically beneficial over the long term. Other challenges are shortage of skilled manpower and inadequate usage knowledge. The industry also does not have stringent enforcement of quality standards.To resolve the issue of inadequate knowledge and untrained applicators, Pidilite has set up the Dr Fixit Knowledge Centre at Kochi. The company also runs a not-for-profit organisation called Dr Fixit Institute for the ACE Community and students of Civil Engineering. How do you view the market growing in the times to come? Although at a nascent stage, the Indian construction chemicals market has witnessed growth from Rs 1,900 crore in 2009 to approximately Rs 3,500 crore in 2014. We expect the market to grow at around 14-16 per cent per annum for the next five years. Once the benefits that can be obtained from utilising construction chemicals is widely realised, the market will witness further expansion.