Strength of the bars is carefully controlled by optimizing the water pressure for their pearlitic core and tough surface of tempered martensite, thereby providing optimum strength, ductility and toughness says Sunil Kumar Agarwal, Director, Kamdhenu Limited.

What are the criteria for selection of a TMT bar for a project? Are there any product certifications too, one should take note of?
Modern projects require high strength ductile TMT bars to accommodate modern design elements and structural strength requirements of high footfall or high rise buildings. The TMT bars must also offer better rust resistance, fire resistance and tensile strength to withstand natural and manmade hazards. There are different grades of TMT bars such as Fe -500, Fe- 550, Fe- 500D etc based on chemical composition & mechanical properties. The different grades are suitable for different types of construction based on load-bearing capacity, resistance to fire hazard, ductility and fatigue strength.

What makes brand Kamdhenu unique vis a vis the competitors in the market?
Kamdhenu brand TMT bars undergo stringent quality checks pre and post manufacturing. Strength of the bars is carefully controlled by optimizing the water pressure for their pearlitic core and tough surface of tempered martensite, thereby providing optimum strength, ductility and toughness. TMT bars are thermo-mechanically treated through leading world’s best-based technology for high yield strength. The high standards followed in manufacturing Kamdhenu TMT bars offer the best strength with better mildness, better resistance to corrosion, better bond strength, Resistance to fire hazard, excellent ductility, higher fatigue strength, easy workability at the site, better results than prescribed in BIS standards, savings of 14-19 per cent steel, reduction in construction costs.

Tell us something about the TMT products you offer?
We offer various innovative products in TMT bars such as Kamdhenu 500-D, Kamdhenu PAS 10000, Kamdhenu NXT. 

PAS 10000 is the latest product in our TMT portfolio which is capable of giving unmatched strength and safety to construction. Its unique design gives 360 degrees locking with the concrete, which gives strength of up to 10,000 psi with the concrete. We have researched in the field of rebar and have presented rebar in ultimate capability. The research of the company will take the steel industry to the next level. Steel alloy gives a better rust- resistance quality and gives this rebar capability to bear 28 per cent more weight. This apart, it gives double earthquake prevention to the building. 

Kamdhenu 500-D TMT bars are developed keeping in mind the essentials of earthquake-resistant construction. It is sulphur and phosphorus controlled and purified to the latest quality standards to give the construction the extra strength to withhold under extreme hot and cold weather conditions. 

Kamdhenu Nxt, next-generation interlock steel is manufactured with the cutting edge technology which is at par with the futuristic national and international standards. Some of the key features of Kamdhenu Nxt TMT bars includes exceptional double rib design, 2.5 times stronger concrete steel interlock, advanced earthquake resistance, high ductile strength, superior thermal resistance, etc.  

Apart from TMT Bars, we also offer various structural steel products, Kamdhenu COLOUR MAX colour coated sheets and a range of high-quality paints under the Kamdhenu Paints umbrella.

How do you see the market for TMT bars in India in the current scenario?
The impact of the ongoing pandemic has led to an unpredictable situation in the market for TMT bars. The situation has improved much by now and we are hopeful that the business environment will further improve going ahead. We expect to get back to normal soon as the steel sector in India has started showing signs of improvement and finished steel production has improved month on month. Many steel majors have increased prices of steel counting on the strong recovery in domestic demand. With the situation fast returning to normal, construction activities will also return to previous levels and new projects will be undertaken.

How are you managing your supply chain in the ‘unlock’ period? When the lockdown was first implemented, all construction sites were closed, various logistical and labour problems cropped up. We, as manufacturers of construction materials, were also facing the same problems. Despite the challenges, we have persevered and we have now returned to almost 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in the manufacturing of construction materials. We follow all stipulated safety norms including those issued in response to the pandemic. The same safety protocols are being followed throughout the supply chain and we encourage all our dealer partners to do the same at their end.