Vikas Mittal, CEO, NOVA Formworks Limited in an interview with B2B Purchase

Can you tell us the latest design trends in scaffolding and formworks?

 Formwork systems are the key components that bear on the success of any building project. Regarding efficiency, effectiveness, affordability, and safety of the work, Formwork systems are critical. Increasing advancements in this sector are influencing some ground-breaking developments. As structures become taller, end-users want formwork solutions that are affordable, light, reusable, safe, easy to use, de-shutter, robust, and adaptable. Modern Modular Formwork systems are being built with characteristics that enable all of the above and reduce construction labour costs in monolithic building projects. This is one of the emerging trends in the industry.

 How are the new-age design demands influencing the selection of materials for scaffolding/ formworks? 

The choice of formwork materials is key to the project’s success. For accelerated construction and increased productivity, choosing the appropriate formwork material is essential. The following have had a substantial influence on the choice of formwork materials: accessibility to work, quality, surface finish, storage of formwork, capital cost, safety, structural layout, lifetime, environmental exposure, labour cost etc. These results offer a clearer picture of the variables affecting formwork choice in the Indian context, which can help construction professionals make successful plans, broaden the body of knowledge on formwork material selection, and maybe cut down on formwork waste. 

What are the new developments and technologies trending in the market?

 Manufacturers of formwork are continually compelled to provide novel and unique developments to satisfy the demands of ambiguous projects by the emergence of revolutionary designs. The success of these projects depends much on how efficiently they are built because complicated geometries and ever-higher skyscrapers control the modern building system. Modular formwork systems are trending in the market as they are often quick and simple to build compared to conventional formwork. Additionally, Modular Formwork Systems save contractors money by lowering the expenses associated with traditional acquisitions, thanks to the ability to rent. This avoids recouping purchasing expenses by recycling or selling the materials when the operation is over. 

How is the adoption of new materials and technologies picking up? 

Even if other formworks are more affordable in terms of price, the costs associated with their preservation and the restrictions on their reuse make plastic formwork a wise choice. Plastics have a better surface finish than wood and can be reused more often than any other formwork. The construction industry has adopted plastic formworks with wide arms. 

What critical challenges do scaffolding and formwork players face in the current market conditions?

 It might be challenging to use traditional formwork systems as they have fewer repetitions, inferior surface finish, and are overall expensive. After dealing with external considerations like weather delays, RDOs, and other trades, there isn’t much time left to think about interior issues like wood warping. Concrete will blow out or break out if it’s not appropriately braced. 

How do you look at the future market trends for scaffolding and formwork products and solutions? 

The future is all about the construction industry and formworks being vital. A lot of it is yet to be discovered. At Nova, we aim to create a greener future, which is why our formworks are 100 percent recyclable and over 100 times reusable. Nova Formworks are eco-friendly and meet all the client’s requirements. Our company is noted in the industry as one of the first and only Indian manufacturers of Plastic Formwork systems, and there is still a way to go.