Asian Paints held the 7th Edition of CC-KLI: Construction Chemicals Knowledge Leadership Initiative in June and July 2024.

CC-KLI, India’s leading construction chemicals summit, is a platform for industry experts to share knowledge and promote advanced construction practices. The event series took place in 8 major cities, including Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune chapters. The events featured the “Innovation Station-SmartCare System Solutions Exhibit,” showcasing advancements in Waterproofing, Repair and Restoration, Floor Coating, and Additives. The events bring together industry elites and professionals from Academia, Government bodies, Civil Construction Companies (CCCs), Project Management Companies (PMCs), Builders Firms & Structural Consultants and Architects.

The Mumbai Chapter brought together a distinguished group of experts to explore advancements in precast concrete, high-performance materials, and modern road infrastructure techniques. Key topics of discussion included the utilisation of admixtures like fly ash and slag to lower carbon footprints, the role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and drones in improving project management, and the significance of corrosion inhibitors for extending concrete durability. The experts touched upon the need for updated industry standards, transitioning from traditional cube testing to maturity testing, and advocating for policy adjustments in EPC contracts.

The Mumbai Chapter of CC-KLI took off with an insightful keynote address by Prof. K.V. L. Subramaniam, from Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Hyderabad. He stressed on emerging technologies such as high performance concrete, precast construction, and artificial intelligence (AI) as game-changers, with a notable example being a 12-story building completed in just 36 days using precast methods. He underscored the importance of mastering concrete production to enhance efficiency and sustainability, aligning with India’s net-zero emissions goal. He noted that advancements now enable precise engineering of material properties, marking a shift from conventional mix ratios.

The keynote address was followed by a panel discussion where, Mr. Rajesh Pandit, Vice President of Integrated Management Systems at Hindustan Construction Company Ltd, discussed innovations in material sourcing, including the shift from natural sand to crushed sand and the incorporation of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) and micro silica. Mr. Suhas Dhuri, Promoter and Partner at e-Cube Concrete Consultants LLP, highlighted how AI and IoT transform the construction industry. Mr. Amit Barde, Head of Precast Initiatives at Larsen & Toubro Limited, shared insights on the evolution of construction technologies, noting the industry’s gradual adoption of hybrid technologies and digitalisation in response to labour shortages and site challenges.

Mr. S. K. Survase, Chief Engineer at MSRDC, discussed advancements in road construction technologies, especially in challenging terrains, and using satellite imagery for precise road alignment. Mr. Shailesh Agrahari Gupta, AVP of Quality at Tata Projects Limited, emphasised the crucial role of modern concrete technologies in ensuring structural integrity and durability for mega projects. Lastly, Mr. Debjyoti Roychowdhury, Chief Engineer at CPWD Mumbai, shared his experiences with greenfield road projects and using ultra-high-strength concrete and performance-based admixtures.