Apart from addressing the specific issues of the construction and infrastructure sector, many players in the chemicals and coatings sector have invested in devising solutions for making workplaces and living spaces safe.

Coronavirus pandemic has created wreckage on most industries cutting across sectors. The Covid-19 has also made people aware about their personal hygiene and we (people) have been using face masks, face shield, sanitizers, disinfectants, PPE kits and other things to protect themselves from the virus. But Chemicals and Coatings Industry amid all this carnage has tried to bring a semblance of normalcy by providing solutions which can help tackle this pandemic. These solutions have acted as a boon to homes, offices, factories, industries in keeping them germ-free and as a result of it, reducing the chances of coronavirus.

Prof. AS Khanna, Chairman, SSPC India, agrees with the fact that the pandemic has elevated the role of chemicals and coatings in creating germ-free solutions. He says, “It appears that many paint companies have entered into manufacturing of disinfectants, mainly with a well-known standard formula to meet the demand due to coronavirus. The difference is some are aerosol base which do not require any mop up activity, while others require wiping with tissues or cloth. Some companies have come out with anti-bacterial transparent paint systems which help reducing the bacterial activity using standard biocides. But some of the best paints which can nullify the coronavirus effect are nano-silver based; however, they are very costly. An alternative to nano-silver is zinc pyrithione and copper pyrithione based paints which may be, if not as effective as with nano-silver but can be almost 85 per cent as effective to nanosilver based paints along with cost-effectiveness. We have prepared such coatings in our lab and can share the technology for the same if anybody is interested.”

Deepak Kanitkar, Director, Anudeep Constructive Solutions Private Limited, bats for moderate use of chlorine-based disinfectants. Deepak explains his point and says, “Chlorine-based disinfectants like hypochlorous acid have been used since the outbreak of Covid-19. Though these chemicals are used previously in some industries for a limited purpose, it has been observed that continuous use of such chlorine-based chemicals with acidic pH range may affect steel surfaces causing corrosion. The effect of rust can easily be observed on the elevator doors and protective grills. As concrete has capillaries and some cracks these chemicals can travel through them and reach the reinforcement causing chloride induced corrosion.”

He further adds, “It will be necessary to provide sufficient protection to metal and concrete surfaces, to prevent damage due to corrosion as the cost of replacement or reconstruction may be too high. Various types of antirust primers and coatings are already available with coating and construction manufacturers. In concrete there may be a need to use corrosion inhibiting admixtures which are generally recommended for areas with higher chloride concentration in the soil as well as offshore structures.”

Covid-19 immune construction chemicals and automation are some propositions which are being discussed in the chemicals and coatings market. M Vimal, Working Partner, Techny  Chemy, believes it may not be necessary “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. Also for most of the chemicals and coatings, 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, implementing automation can prove beneficial.”