Since steel buildings are easy to insulate and ventilate with proper use of natural lighting, they are very efficient. Most green buildings are steel buildings today, says Arvind Nanda, Director & CEO, Interarch Building Products Pvt Ltd.

How have technological innovations aided faster construction of steel and metal structures?
Steel is used across the world for faster construction and growth. The consumption of steel is directly proportional to the development of a country and its GDP growth. All developed nations and high growth economies have high steel consumptions, primarily due to its usage in construction. Steel is used in constructing buildings, factories, warehouses, airport terminals, flyovers and highways.

Technologies like pre-engineered buildings and structures have aided in the timely completion of projects with high quality and safety. Higher grades of steel have also helped in successfully executing these projects.

What are the long-term benefits of a pre-engineered steel structure?
Steel buildings offer long-term advantages of long life, resistance to natural disasters like earthquake, green and safe buildings, zero wastage as unwanted steel can be sold as scrap and fully recycled, or it can be moved from one location to another if so desired. Steel buildings are easy to maintain and have a longer life compared to conventional buildings.

What are some of the methods to prevent the oxidation of steel and metals and ensure they remain protected from heat and corrosion?
Steel is highly corrosive and must be coated properly. Coatings are either high-quality paints or galvanising. Proper painting and repainting are required. Roofing and claddings have very high-quality coatings which are made by large reputed companies like Tata BlueScope Steel and JSW. Improper coatings or paints will cause rusting and oxidation, so that we must use the best coatings for steel.

How can steel and metal structure maintain a perfect balance between cost and energy efficiency? Steel is extremely efficient and cost-effective. That’s the main reason why steel is such a popular building material for the past 100 years. America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and China are all ‘built’ by using steel. Since steel buildings are easy to insulate and ventilate with proper use of natural lighting, they are very efficient. Most green buildings are steel buildings today.

What kind of projects are you undertaking in the current market scenario?
Currently, steel buildings are being used extensively in warehousing for E-retailers, FMCG companies, automotive and infrastructure companies. Interarch is making warehouses for Amazon and Flipkart, steel plants for JSW, manufacturing plants for PepsiCo, Berger Paints, Hindustan Unilever and infrastructure projects for ONGC and RVNL.