Speed meets scale in PEB and roofing

India’s cities are racing to accommodate 600 million people by 2036. At the core of this urban shift, PEBs and advanced roofing offer scalable, resilient solutions to tackle traffic, water stress, and climate change.

The urban landscape of India is fast approaching its tipping point. By 2036, it is anticipated that 600 million people will live in cities, placing a strain on the nation’s infrastructure and necessitating quick, scalable solutions. The 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund and the Smart Cities Mission, which was extended to March 2025 with 91 percent of its 8,000+ projects finished by July 2024, are driving a building boom to address issues, including traffic, water scarcity, and climate change. Pre-engineered buildings (PEBs) and advanced roofing systems, which can reduce build timelines by up to 50 percent and provide resilience where it’s most required, are at the core of this revolution. These developments, which range from water treatment facilities to metro sheds, are changing the rules for India’s urban future.

Speed meets scale

India’s cities are growing at breakneck speed. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs reports that urban areas contribute 66 percent of the nation’s GDP, yet face a housing shortage of 18.78 million units and a water demand projected to hit 1,200 billion cubic meters by 2050. The Smart Cities Mission, backed by ₹48,000 crore in investments, has already delivered 400 km of metro lines and 2,500 smart classrooms. Meanwhile, the Urban Challenge Fund, launched in 2024, targets water, sanitation, and urban development with a ₹1 lakh crore war chest through 2030.

PEBs are the perfect fit for this urgency. “PEBs’ flexibility lets us build resilient urban infrastructure fast. And it is perfect for Smart Cities,” says Rakesh Chopra, National Head of Sales & Marketing at Apex Buildsys Limited. For projects like the smart parking shelters in Bhubaneswar or the electric bus depots in Surat, PEBs, which are manufactured off-site and bolted together in a matter of weeks, reduce construction deadlines from months to just a few days. With a 2023 valuation of USD 0.468 billion, the PEB market is expected to reach USD 0.888 billion by 2032 at a 7.4 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), with some analysts projecting growth of 11–13 percent through 2030 due to urban demand.

Roofing plays an equally pivotal role. JSW Radiance’s Cool Roof technology, deployed across Mumbai Metro Line 3’s 33.5 km corridor, reflects sunlight to drop roof temperatures by 5-6°C, easing HVAC loads in a city where summer peaks hit 40°C. Adding to this, Abeesh Keloth, Vice President of Mount Roofing and Structures Pvt Ltd, highlights the role of PUF insulated panels: “These panels act as a thermal shield, cutting heat gain and reducing cooling system loads by up to 40 percent in high-temperature urban areas.” Along with supporting energy-saving objectives, this efficiency counteracts the urban heat island effect, which causes cities to become noticeably warmer than rural areas.

“Energy-efficient buildings are not just an environmental choice but a smart business decision,” notes Vijay Mishra, Commercial Director at Knauf India, whose roofing systems pair with PEBs to meet green building codes. This duo offers a ticket to efficiency and compliance for contractors eyeing urban bids.

Innovations driving the fast-track revolution

Technology is turbocharging PEB and roofing for Smart Cities. At Acero Building Systems, Director Srinivasan T champions precision: “Using BIM and AI-driven quality control ensures superior efficiency and sustainability in PEB manufacturing. Innovative construction starts with intelligent design.” Acero’s digital twins, which are virtual copies updated in real-time with sensor data, save downtime by 20 percent and optimise maintenance for buildings like Delhi’s smart hospitals.

On the material front, Apex Buildsys leverages high-strength Fe 550D steel, boosting PEB durability for heavy urban loads. Willus Infrastructure, led by MD Ritesh Bhandari, pushes modular PEBs with galvanised steel frames that are scalable for everything from compact sanitation units to sprawling water filtration plants. “Our precision-driven manufacturing accelerates timelines and lowers costs,” Bhandari says, noting a 30 percent labour savings over traditional builds.

Roofing innovations keep pace. Mumbai Metro’s Aqua Line sheds rely on JSW Radiance’s Anti-Dust coating, which uses hydrophobic technology to repel dirt and reduce maintenance costs by 25 percent. This is crucial in dusty metropolitan sprawls. Its Anti-Graffiti version combats vandalism in public areas by wiping clean with a towel. Meanwhile, Saint-Gobain’s Climaver Pre-Insulated Duct Boards, 50 percent lighter than metal ducts, hit ECBC 2017’s U-value target of 0.33 W/m²K, reducing energy use. “Climaver exceeds NBC and ECBC standards, providing outstanding thermal and acoustic insulation,” says Subramanian N E, Managing Director of Saint-Gobain India’s Insulation Business.

Keloth adds that PUF panels enhance such systems by integrating seamlessly with solar and green roofing, supporting modular designs while cutting carbon emissions through energy efficiency and reducing construction waste.

A four-gigawatt solar cell factory in Andhra Pradesh, half a km long, 142 metres wide, and finished with a load-bearing roof weighing 145 kg/m², was displayed at the 2024 Everest Group conference. It demonstrates the two’s ability to handle large-scale urban-industrial requirements and was finished in seven months utilising PEBs and standing seam roofing.

Solving urban pain points

Smart Cities face unique hurdles, and PEBs with advanced roofing rise to the challenge. Space scarcity is acute in metros like Mumbai, where land costs soar past ₹50,000 per square foot. Compared to concrete towers, multi-storey PEBs stack efficiently, as seen in Gurugram’s PEB data centres, which have a 40 percent smaller footprint.

Water and sanitation, the Urban Challenge Fund’s core, demand adaptability. Apex Buildsys designs modular PEBs for Chennai’s flood-prone sewage plants, paired with Willus’ sloped roofing and drainage systems to shed 200 mm/hour rainfall. “PEBs’ design versatility allows customised solutions for urban utilities,” Chopra explains, noting a 25 percent faster setup than RCC alternatives.

Sustainability is non-negotiable. AMNS India’s ₹350 crore scrap processing push, starting with Khopoli’s 120 ktpa unit in Maharashtra (April 2025), aims for a 10 percent scrap mix in steelmaking by 2030. “Our Khopoli unit supports India’s goal of 50 percent scrap in steel by 2047,” says Akshaya Gujral, AMNS India’s Executive Director of Downstream Operations. Using 80% recycled content, Knauf’s drywall roofing cuts waste by 15 percent, aligning with the Green Steel Taxonomy. While PUF panels, as Keloth notes, further this mission by reducing pollution and supporting reusable building systems.

The road to 2030 and beyond

Industry professionals view PEBs and roofing as urban game-changers. Srinivasan T claims, citing Acero’s smart community centres in Jaipur, that “BIM and AI cut errors, ensuring PEBs fit urban specs precisely. “PEBs are perfect for water and sanitation projects under the Urban Challenge Fund because of their rapid scalability,” Chopra continues.

There are many useful hints. Apex advises using 3D modelling for pre-planning to reduce rework and save 10% on expenses. To take advantage of renewable incentives, Willus suggests solar-integrated roofing, which is already included in 50 solar park projects that were approved in November 2024. According to AMNS, purchasing processed scrap reduces steel costs by 8 percent compared to virgin ore.

The PEB market’s 11–13 percent CAGR through 2030 signals a boom, with tier-2 cities like Coimbatore and Indore next in line. Modular PEBs, as Willus predicts, will dominate, offering Lego-like assemblies for schools and clinics. According to Tata BlueScope, 30 percent of metropolitan grids might be powered by solar panels installed atop PEB warehouses by 2030, demonstrating the green trend in roofing. Policies and regulations fuel this change. PEB expenditures will decline by 5–7 percent as a result of Vision 2047’s sustainable urban push. “As India strides toward 2030, PEBs and roofing aren’t just solutions; they are the future,” Bhandari concludes.

Quotes:

Abeesh Keloth, Vice President, Mount Roofing and Structures Pvt Ltd

“PEBs reduce material waste, construction time and carbon footprint. These structures are reusable, recyclable and built to last with proximity for expansion, making them a green alternative in every sense.”

Rakesh Chopra, National Head – Sales & Marketing, Apex Buildsys Limited

“PEBs’ flexibility lets us build resilient urban infrastructure fast—perfect for Smart Cities.”

Srinivasan T, Director, Acero Building Systems 

“Innovative construction starts with intelligent design—using BIM and AI-driven quality control ensures superior efficiency and sustainability in PEB manufacturing.”

Vijay Mishra, Commercial Director, Knauf India 

“Energy-efficient buildings are not just an environmental choice but a smart business decision.”

Subramanian N E, Managing Director – Insulation Business, Saint-Gobain India 

“Climaver exceeds the performance standards established in the NBC and ECBC codes, providing outstanding thermal and acoustic insulation in a lightweight, efficient, and sustainable shape.”

Ritesh Bhandari, Managing Director, Willus Infrastructure 

“We seamlessly integrate scalability, affordability, and inclusivity into our eco-friendly prefab projects through cutting-edge engineering, strategic material sourcing, and innovative modular designs.”