Innovating and developing technologies like liquid-applied systems can catalyse the project’s duration.

While discussing the demand trends for waterproofing chemicals, Viha Chitroda of Kangaru Polymers Pvt. Ltd. sheds light on the dynamic demands, eco-friendly innovations, regional impacts, and the quest for durability in waterproofing solutions.

How has the demand for waterproofing chemicals evolved in response to changing construction practices and infrastructural developments?

A simple yet logical correlation can be established between the consumption of cement and construction chemicals. The demand for construction chemicals will increase with a significant rise in new infrastructure developments and the redevelopment sector. The quality of raw materials used for construction has degraded over time. Also, demanding times have pressurised construction activities to pace up and deliver projects in a comparatively shorter time. This leads to cutting down on the time required for activities like curing; thus, the need for special construction chemicals to cater to this is born! Identifying, onboarding, and supervising the rightly skilled labour is altogether a task in today’s times! Innovating and developing technologies like liquid applied systems’, where minimum labour is required, can catalyse the project’s duration.

What efforts are being made to develop eco-friendly waterproofing chemicals, and how are they being received by the market?

Safety at construction sites and adapting to human-friendly technologies are gaining popularity in this new era of construction. Bodies like the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) are stressing the importance of green construction, which will cause minimal or no damage to our endangered environment and human health. We had foreseen this future change in the CC industry well in advance! Our products like Kanproof (1 component water-based UV stable acrylic waterproofing), Kanproof PU (1 component water-based UV stable PU waterproofing), etc., have been carefully designed, considering their favourability for such trending applications and demanding market scenarios.

How do varying regional regulations and standards affect waterproofing chemicals’ production, distribution, and usage across different markets?

India has a diversified geography, and every territory has its own needs to be catered to. For example, the eastern parts of Maharashtra and the southern parts of the country demand thermal insulating coatings due to the consistently high temperatures maintained at those topographies. At the same time, the eastern part of the province is mostly high in humidity and has cold temperatures most of the time. Developing specialised primers and thermal insulation coatings that can accommodate higher moisture content and decrease mercury levels, respectively, has been KPPL’s area of contribution, keeping in mind the nature of all kinds of needs. Producing chemicals in one part of the country and establishing a strong network of distributors is the way forward to serve this vast geography. We are appointing four super distributors for the West, North, South, and East zones. Manufacturing at a single facility ensures that the same standardised quality of products is delivered across the board.

What are the key factors that influence the service life of waterproofing chemicals, and how do manufacturers conduct durability testing to guarantee their effectiveness over time?

Focusing on the latest trend in liquid-applied waterproofing systems, we emphasise the importance of proper application to suit various profiles and shapes. At KPPL, we view waterproofing as more than just selling products; it’s about specifying the right solutions for specific applications. The service life of waterproofing chemicals depends on factors like surface temperature, residual moisture, and surface preparation. Quality assurance involves rigorous material testing and the issuance of Material Test Certificates. Implementing standard operating procedures for applications and establishing a network of authorised channel partners enhances the overall quality of our solutions, symbolising our commitment to excellence.