Highlighting the key technology trends in the Indian construction industry:

Indian construction industry especially infrastructure and industrial segments are expected to witness high growth in coming years owing to various initiatives taken by the Indian government by large scale reforms, policy amendments, etc. Growth of the urban population and the government´s focus on infrastructure development together has accounted for the overall growth of the construction sector, which in turn has led to increasing demand for steel structures across various segments. With faster project completion and sustainable construction that is environmental friendly fast catching up; this will be lead to adoption of new construction technologies such as steel construction especially in commercial and residential high rise buildings.

Here’s a quick glance at some of the key technology trends that is transforming the construction industry. We’re not here to judge or grade any individual product or solution as they all are breakthrough technologies in their respective product segment. The number mentioned against each does not depict any ranking.
Pre-engineered Buildings (PEB)
PEB is one of the first choices when it comes to sustainable and eco-friendly buildings.

1Standing Seam Roofing System (KSS-600)Kirby India is in the forefront of the innovation and is leading the revolution of green construction in the country through its PEB technology. Kirby India was the first company to develop and introduce these structures in different segments such as metro rails, shipyards, power plants, heavy industries, etc. Kirby India claims to be the first to introduce Standing Seam Roofing System (KSS-600) with FM Approval from USA in India which provides 100 per cent leak proof building and racking systems bundled with PEB as one complete packaged solution for the warehousing industry.

Availability
Kirby India has two plants located at Hyderabad and Haridwar which caters across India based on the project location and customer’s requirement of the building as per the timeline.
2Essar’s high strength steel
Essar has developed and supplied special steel (E-250 / 410with Cu bearing steel for the prestigious Bogibeel bridge in Assam and E250 / 410 for Chenab bridge in J&K) which are nearing completion.

Cater the needs of construction segment
Essar can provide wide range of products to cater the needs of construction segment with following features:
• Complete flat steel solution – Being an integrated steel mill, one can use in house HR coils or plates for making pipes (HSAW and LSAW) for both sour and non-sour applications. Essar plates are used for making pre-fabricated structures, welded beams and burn to shape plates for various structural applications especially in ROB, PEB and power sectors.
• High strength, atmospheric corrosion resistant plates.
• Normalised and quench and tempered plates.

Ranjan Dhar, CMO, Essar Steel, informs, “Essar Steel has successfully developed high strength steel up to a strength level of 2000 MPa which has been used in various projects covering wide application segments i.e. from Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEB), bridges, roads and high ways, railways and defence.”

He adds, “Development of high strength steels has contributed to the nation building.”

3COLORBOND steel and ZINCALUME steel
Tata BlueScope Steel offers world-class brands namely COLORBOND steel (pre-painted Al-Zn alloy coated steel) and ZINCALUME steel (Al-Zn alloy coated steel) for cladding applications. Tata BlueScope Steel Representative, says, “COLORBOND steel with its wide range of offerings has made itself a quintessentially universal building material for steel cladding industry globally and in India too.”

Offers vast range of superior quality profiles and structural members
On the other hand, Tata BlueScope building products division offers a vast range of superior quality profiles and structural members under its flagship LYSAGHT brand. These extremely durable profiles offer design flexibility, thermal comfort and are available in a range of aesthetically appealing colours with high SRI values. Backed by R&D team of BlueScope Steel, Australia, LYSAGHT has introduced several innovative and high quality products as per the demands of the market. FLEX-LOK 400; caters to the challenging designs comprising of different geometrical shapes and curvatures (concave and convex) in the roofing systems. SMARTDEK 51; is a unique decking product for concrete slabs and beams to replace conventional construction practices, especially in the construction of high rise buildings. VARYDEK profile is suitable for different load conditions since the profile is available in multiple widths and offers superior load resistance. LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 facilitates the installation of PV panels on roof tops with the use of specially designed clips.

Why choose COLORBOND steel?
COLORBOND steel undergoes rigorous corrosion, durability and application testing where actual building conditions, including varying pitches, profiles, product types and the inclusion of unwashed areas is re-created. Backed by Thermatech technology with high reflectivity and being a 100 per cent environment friendly; COLORBOND steel is a fine blend of Experience, Expertise and Frugality (due to its light weight).

Ensure availability and sustainable management
Tata BlueScope Steel has world class and ISO certified manufacturing facilities in India strategically located at Jamshedpur, Chennai and Bhiwadi to ensure accessibility to the markets PAN India. This is complemented by the team of experts through sales offices and channel partners present in every state.

Concrete
4Concreel HD and JSW PSC cement
Concreel HD and JSW PSC cement are two most advanced offering by the company in the construction sector. These products have a wide application in building construction and infrastructure development. Lopamudra Sengupta, Vice President – Technical, JSW Cement, informs, “Concreel HD cement and JSW PSC cement are quality cement which are specially designed for the next generation of cement in the cement sectors, for all concrete-based construction and multipurpose usage in building construction, and can be used as per need of end user.”

Concreel HD cement provides high early and high long-term strength along with quick setting and good cohesiveness, making the cement an ideal and energy efficient product in building material industry. A result of the world-class manufacturing process, the products is eco-friendly with improved chemical resistance and superior cohesion. These products require low consumption of energy like fuel. JSW PSC provided highest ultimate strength to a structure and over the period of time, its load-bearing properties continue to increase as it forms more calcium silicate hydrates. These hydrates add to the strength and durability of the concrete.

Know what customers want before they do
JSW Cement has launched its Concreel HD Cement in all the markets and in the coming years, they plan to tap the markets PAN India. The company has recently launched its priority dealer store in Kolkata and they plan to aggressively build up an extensive network of dealers across the state.

Doors & Windows
5Window Roller shutter system
Mario Schmidt, Managing Director, Lingel Windows and Doors Technologies Pvt Ltd, says, “Window Roller shutter system can be installed on top or on front of the window and it can be even delivered with integrated mosquito mesh as well. It can also be integrated in one’s home automation system too. The opening and closing time of one’s roller shutter can be controlled via one’s mobile.”

Further, it provides natural sun shading to avoid the heating of the house, helps providing privacy during night so that large heavy curtains can be avoided. It also gives good security to the windows and gives an additional noise reduction and protection against rain, water and storm.

Availability
Lingel has its presence in more than 24 cities and also have multiple showrooms. Lingel’s flagship showroom is in Gurgaon and a new one has recently opened in Mumbai.
6uPVC Windows and Doors
Window Magic offers Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC) windows and doors which is the most advanced offering in the construction segment. Manish Bansal, Director, Window Magic India, informs, “uPVC material is a chemical compound consisting of carbon, chlorine and hydrogen. uPVC is very much economical and easy to produce as compared to timber. The material is eco-friendly and results in preventing deforestation by reducing the use of wood and timber for producing window and doors. uPVC has several advantages over wood and other materials. Some of these advantages are heat resistant, noise resistant, weather resistant, cost effective, recyclable and low maintenance.”

Glass
7AIS Ecosense – High performance energy efficient glass
Energy Efficient Glass ranges from AIS, under the brand name of ‘AIS Ecosense’ provides the benefit of reducing the heat gain in buildings due to its excellent energy saving properties without compromising on the aesthetics that improve the value of the facade or allowing natural light inside the space.

Features of AIS Ecosense glass range
Vikram Khanna, COO – Consumer Glass, COO – Architectural Institutional Business, CMO, CIO, Asahi India Glass Ltd (AIS), informs, “AIS Ecosense comes in five ranges – Enhance (solar control), Exceed (solar control low-E), Essence (low-E), edge (solar control and thermal Insulation which can be used in SGU) and excel (double low-E) high-performance glasses. Ideal for solar and thermal insulating parameters, AIS Ecosense combines aesthetics with environmental sensibility and conforms to all green standards. AIS Ecosense performance parameters like visual light transmission, solar factor, u-value and internal reflection make buildings more energy efficient and ecologically viable.”
8Tensile membrane structure
Tensile membrane structure the most advanced offering in the construction and infrastructural segment. Tensile fabric structure is a membrane (fabric) maintained under pre-stress (tension) state by structural elements supporting system.

Anil S Furia, Technical Director, Aakruti Tenso Structures & Facades Pvt Ltd, informs, “A tensile membrane structure is most often used as a roof as they can economically and attractively span large distance. This form of construction has only become more rigorously analysed and widespread in large structures after twentieth century.”

Advantages of tensile fabric structures
• Can disperse natural light with condensed heat load (excellent alternative to polycarbonate or glass as roof glazing system).
• Higher light transmission during daytime (sufficient to reduce artificial lighting requirement by 5 – 20 per cent).
• Absorbs solar energy (4 -17 per cent) and reduces the heat load.
• Low maintenance as compared to glass.
• Maximum structural fabrication is carried on off-site.
• Minimal site interruptions since the membranes structures are manufactured in the factories.
• No extension joints since the membranes structures are welded into a single weatherproof skin.
• Designed for rapid construction.
• Larger span for more coverage.
• Variability in design and execution depending upon the desired output of the customer.

Insulation
9Hardrock overdeck insulation – Rockwool
Vinay Pratap Singh, Business Unit Director, Roxul Rockwool Technical Insulation, says “Rockwool Hardrock overdeck insulation products are suitable for new and re-roofing applications on metal deck or concrete deck. It is approved by Factory Mutual (FM) for Class 1 roof constructions in membrane roofing system.”

He adds, “Hardrock has excellent mechanical strength besides other properties. This makes the boards suitable for use with all mechanically fixed roof systems. Hardrock roofing boards easily bears incidental foot traffic associated with installation and routine maintenance inspections. Hardrock has a proven track record of more than 1 million sq.m. installation in projects across Asia.”

10Rockwool Conrock
Rockwool Conrock products are specially designed in slabs and lamella for sandwich panels used in overdeck roofing system. It has excellent fire resistant properties, able to resist temperatures over 1,000-degree C. Singh opines, “With its high compression strength and stiffness, Conrock is also able to withstand strong wind while remaining durable even when exposed to high heat. It is the ideal fire safe insulation core for flat, smooth and functional sandwich panels.”

Roofing
11MxSeam, MxLok and MxZiP
Today technology is changing the way roofing projects are executed while delivering improved systems design, increased productivity and safety and reduced construction waste. Sanjeev Rai, Managing Director, Max Roofing Systems Pvt Ltd, states, “Considering the ever increasing demand of standing seam roofing system Maxroof has launched three standing seam roofing profiles MxSeam, MxLok and MxZiP. These profiles offer outstanding design potential, performance and durability.”

He adds, “While installing these profiles, sheets are never punctured with screws which make it practically leak proof; No Holes means No Leaks. Further the seam allows the roof to ‘breathe’ so that any moisture occurring within the roofs evaporates away and entire configuration of Roof remains in good conditions throughout its life.”

12Standing seam metal roofs
Standing seam metal roofs get their name from the way that they are built. They are constructed of metal panels that run from your ridge down to the edge of the roof. At the edge of each panel is a tall seam that connects to the next panel anywhere from ½-inch to 1-1/2-inch above the roof so it appears the seam is ‘standing’ which gives this system its characteristic, trendy, modern look. They can be made of steel or aluminum. The most preferred choice of many architects is undoubtedly the Galvalume standing seam roofs because of its longer life and cost efficiency.

Availability
The company has state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Pune and sales offices all across India. With its quality products, best services and timely delivery Maxroof has earned trust of its customers and are still going strong!

Essar Steel has successfully developed high strength steel up to a strength level of 2000 MPa which has been used in various projects covering wide application segments.
Ranjan Dhar, CMO, Essar Steel

Concreel HD cement and JSW PSC cement are quality cement which are specially designed for the next generation of cement in the cement sectors.
Lopamudra Sengupta, Vice President – Technical, JSW Cement

Window Roller shutter system can be installed on top or on front of the window and it can be even delivered with integrated mosquito mesh as well.
Mario Schmidt,Managing Director, Lingel Windows and Doors Technologies Pvt Ltd

uPVC is eco-friendly and results in preventing deforestation by reducing the use of wood and timber for producing window and doors.
Manish Bansal,Director, Window Magic India

AIS Ecosense performance parameters like visual light transmission, solar factor, u-value and internal reflection make buildings more energy efficient and ecologically viable.
Vikram Khanna, COO – Consumer Glass, COO – Architectural Institutional Business, CMO, CIO, Asahi India Glass Ltd (AIS)

A tensile membrane structure is most often used as a roof as they can economically and attractively span large distance.
Anil S Furia, Technical Director, Aakruti Tenso Structures & Facades Pvt Ltd

Rockwool Hardrock overdeck insulation products are suitable for new and re-roofing applications on metal deck or concrete deck.
Vinay Pratap Singh,Business Unit Director, Roxul Rockwool Technical Insulation India Pvt Ltd

Considering the ever increasing demand of standing seam roofing system Maxroof have launched three standing seam roofing profiles MxSeam, MxLok and MxZiP.
Sanjeev Rai, Managing Director,Max Roofing Systems Pvt Ltd