How pipes and fittings are being transformed in terms of design and materials innovation?

Technological advancements in the plastic piping field are evolving at a greater pace especially in terms of design and material innovation. This is mainly to make inroads in new application segments to offer a better substitute to the prevailing products with superior performance at affordable cost.

In the last few years, advanced material like PEX, PERT and multilayer composite pipes are being introduced for hotand cold-water applications. Premium building drainage systems like low noise drainage system with many advanced features are now available to meet the changing requirements of the building industry. Similarly, design and material innovations have also helped to offer improved and superior underground drainage and sewerage systems with readymade inspection chambers and manholes.

These are just the examples and many such new products are being developed for various other applications. Being one of the leading manufacturers, Supreme is no exception to the advancements in the industry; on the contrary, we are regularly introducing many pathbreaking products and have played an instrumental role in the transformation of conventional to advanced plastic piping products.

What are the key products and solutions offered by the company?

We are known as the ‘trend setters’ and ‘total piping solution providers’ in the country. Our present plastic piping product portfolio comprises over 9,000 products which caters to almost every conceivable need and application. The key products include various plumbing systems, building drainage systems, Nu-drain underground drainage and sewerage system with readymade inspection chambers and manholes, premium quality overhead and underground water storage tanks, readymade septic tanks etc. PEX piping, compression and electro-fusion fittings for water supply and gas application are some of the new products to start soon.

How are you experiencing the demand trend for your products?

The present business conditions are very disruptive due to repeated lockdowns, though we are hopeful and expect an improvement in the situation in the coming few months. We see the growing demand trend for our plastic piping products based on the following important factors:

• An incremental rise in urbanisation leading to the growth of infrastructure will boost the demand for piping products.
• The government’s various initiatives in the field of water and sanitation is likely to trigger the demand.
• Increasing demand in various industrial applications.
• Increasing demand in the electrical and telecommunication sector for wire or cable management.

Which are the major demand drivers of pipes and fittings in the building construction sector?

Building construction is one of the important and growing sectors having a huge potential for different piping products. The major demand drivers in this sector are:

• Government initiatives towards civil and infrastructure development
• Increasing construction activities
• Rising demand from irrigation sector
• Replacement of ageing pipes
• A shift from unorganised to organised sector
• Heavy investment by the government in irrigation, housing and sanitation

What are the challenges faced in the current market scenario? How do you see the future market growth?

The year 2020 and 2021 are unprecedented years because of the coronavirus pandemic. This pandemic has majorly impacted society and the lives of the people. It has a deep and long-term effect on the overall economy, and its impact is likely to remain for the coming few years. I think this is a tough time and by and large, every sector has been affected to some or more extent. The piping industry is no exception to this problem, but being an essential product segment, it is affected relatively less and expected to come out of this situation soon. Availability and high raw material prices and fluctuations in demand due to repeated lockdowns are some of the present challenges faced by the industry.

As this pandemic has underlined the need for sustainable infrastructure in water management and sanitation, we foresee better prospect for piping business in times to come. Similarly, many new applications like piped gas supply, rainwater harvesting and fire protection systems are likely to emerge. Besides this, government’s various ambitious initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ will also be the key drivers for future growth.