The pandemic will make us re-examine our strategy and our supply range in lieu of accomplishing a more prominent customer base in an expedient successful way with cost viability says M Vimal, Working Partner, Techny Chemy.

How do you see Atmanirbhar Bharat to impact your sector?
If we look at the construction chemical industry, 75-80 per cent of raw materials are supplied locally. Global raw material suppliers have in-house factories. It would be a desirable stage if the remaining 20-25 per cent of supply done within India, considering the local market advantage. Especially, in our organisation, we have been practicing this concept since inception.

We look for local suppliers right from raw materials to packaging purchases. As per our sourcing policy, we look up suppliers who are proximity to our factory location, neighbouring districts, state, and country in that order of predilection. The primary objective behind this policy is to offer cost competitiveness, be efficient and enable a JIT (Just In Time) supply. By doing so, we are consciously adding to the development of our economic frame work. 

Despite everything we procure a few raw materials from Germany as there are no producers in India. This reduction of dependency with other countries would increase our economic standards. Like many other businesses, our industry also revolves around the construction sector. The measures taken by the government in facilitating and localizing suppliers would be a decent start in boosting certainty of the Indian start-ups and have a positive impact on recuperating our economy.  

In terms of current market dynamics, what will be the new normal after 2020?
To begin with, there will be more control from the government side as they have invested in monetary stimulus in order to balance the pandemic situation to assist the industrialists and the private sector.

Besides, there will be more automation and digitalization wherever possible to draw up the contactless business. As the market has panned out into the digitalisation and we could get a great deal of business going on the web. For instance: even in the hospitality sector – telemedicine was seen utilized effectively. Thus, the very world will witness the ascension of a contactfree and middleman-free saving. Currently the construction market is taking baby steps and wherever construction sites have opened; it has had to face disrupted supply chains, operational restrictions, and constrained labour availability. This vulnerability is a reminder for us to reexamine our strategy and our supply range in lieu of accomplishing a more prominent customer base in an expedient successful way with cost-viability.

Do you believe that the pandemic will have any impact on the product development and R&D of future products in the waterproofing segment?
Not really, all products are chemicals compounds, which in any case will not permit microorganism to develop. Subsequently, it is improbable, that the products research and development would go through any significant changes. More so, we can assure that the applications of these chemicals would require a change and ought to adhere to the standards advocated by the government.

It is proven that only a proper and methodical application of these products is fundamental to its very achievement. If the applications of these chemicals at sites are supervised in a safe manner, we could look at implementing automation at every possible opportunity. For instance: In waterproofing applications, cool coating applications the use of machines enhance quality, minimize labour, complete faster, and last however not the least will be without contact.

Going forward, how important will be the role of chemical additives that neutralize coronavirus in waterproofing products?
Coronavirus will not strive in a chemical environment. There is no necessity for any additives.  As many of the product usages are done while constructing, we can continue the current product offerings. Human contact emerges just when applications are made at a later stage and even in that the opportunity of Covid-19 growth is bleak. 

What are some of the products driving growth for your business in the current economic cycle?
In new projects, the Admixtures (Tec Mix 100, Tec Mix 550, Tec Mix M Sand), Waterproofing products (Tec Wave 2000, Tec Wave 3000, Tec Wave 7000, Tec Wave DP), Epoxy (Tec Tile 21, Tec Wave FG), and adhesives (Tec Bond 34/Tec Bond 25/Tec Bond GP) products have seen spurt growth in the current economic cycle.  In repair and rehabilitation projects’ waterproofing products, epoxies, and sanitation, the full scope of cleaning products like (Tec Shine Q Ranges – Tile cleaners to Bathroom cleaners) is going comfortably.