While demand for specialty chemicals is at its peak, traditional raw material costs continue to spike

Construction chemical is one of the niche segments from the specialty chemical segment of chemical industry. Construction chemicals are specialty products that are used in structures to increase their life, and also to impart additional protection from environmental hazards.

Today, the industry is witnessing requirements in terms of traffic and mechanical wear, chemical resistance, temperature, slip resistance, impact resistance, permeability to liquids, fire resistance, rapid curing, etc.

“Our global industrial flooring expertise is directly linked to our high performance products and customer needs. We have developed systems taking into account design life, operational requirements, construction joints, floor to wall connections, surface design and installation details,” says Shrutesh Jathan, Business Manager -Flooring (West & South), Sika India Pvt Ltd.

Sika flooring and coating have more than 50 years’ experiences. Sika is a global expert in all core technologies commonly used in specialty area of seamless flooring and coating.

He adds, “Sika‘s quality products are designed for the latest trends and requirements and comply with all regulations and standards, e.g. ISO 9001 and 14001, AgBB, CE-MARKING, M1, CSM, etc. Additionally, Sika is the world leader in low VOC and ESD/ECF flooring technology.”

Sustainability
Sustainability is one of the main drivers of Sika flooring innovation. Sika focuses on indoor air quality, low VOC and odour, system durability, durability with minimal maintenance requirements, easy and economic floor refurbishment, low energy demand in the life cycle, etc.

Pricing trends
“Pricing is about discipline, motivation and communication. We have learned that although the growth in sales and demand is at an all-time high for paint, coatings, adhesives, sealants and the overall specialty chemical industry, there continues to be a rise in traditional raw material costs, which, we believe, will eventually lead to a dreaded shortage situation. This is not a regional trend but a global one. Construction chemical manufacturers are bracing themselves for a prolonged period of shortages in key raw materials as well,” says Jathan.

He adds, “Our industry is currently being hit by double–digit rises in prices for resins, pigments, additives, solvents and packaging materials as demand for paints begins to pick up in India, while there is continued strong growth in construction chemicals demand in India, China and other emerging economies.”

Major challenges for effective usage of construction chemicals
A variety of construction chemicals are used in most large-scale construction projects as well as projects of special design and engineering, depending on their specific needs. The huge challenge is how the introduction of sub-standard products manufactured by the small or local players for the sake of making good profit is spoiling the industry growth. The end-users using sub-standard products don’t get the results by the applications, developing unfavourable perceptions in the customers as well as end users for the future growth of the industry. While the construction chemical industry in India also faces challenges that require more long-term solutions. Durability through the use of sustainable products, generating awareness of the benefits of construction chemicals, and educating a new generation of skilled applicators in the use of construction chemicals will ensure rapid growth, and help the industry remain durable and sustainable well into the future.

Criteria for selecting waterproofing
“Waterproofing is a safety treatment for structures for a better and reliable lifespan. It plays a safeguarding role in ensuring good corrosion resistance and reducing the impact of ageing in the structure, according to Manish Naik, DGM- Business Development, The Supreme Industries.

In tropical climate like that in India, having a large coastal area as well as areas surrounding with water bodies, the seepage of groundwater, moisture content in the air (humidity) and rains are the major sources of water exposure to the structure. Due to porous nature of concrete with aggregates, preventing or avoiding exposure to excess water is a challenge. To address this challenge, waterproofing is considered as the ultimate solution. There are various methods available for waterproofing and the treatment is selected on following criteria:
• Reliability
• Ease of application and repairing
• Cost effectiveness

Buyer has a choice
“The quality of chemicals and coatings offered today is fairly in par with other world class products. Although the buyer today has a choice of waterproofing treatment solutions available at their disposal, but they have to select chemicals and coatings with a proper and thorough study as treatment performance will depend on selecting the right kind of product,” adds Naik.

There are many world renowned chemicals available however; its performance in typical Indian climate and its reactions with Indian conditions should be verified because the effect of waterproofing failures may not be visible immediately after the treatment is done. But, after a timespan, the selection of chemicals and coatings should be done basis the product’s performance as many of them will not be able to meet the desired results. The important factors that affect the performance are; type of chemical used, applicator’s skills in applying the product, method of treatment and use of resilient protection board.

Our global industrial flooring expertise is directly linked to our high performance products and customer needs.
Shrutesh Jathan, Business Manager -Flooring (West & South), Sika India Pvt Ltd

Waterproofing is a safety treatment for structures for better and reliable lifespan.
Manish Naik, DGM- Business Development, The Supreme Industries