Developed a patented PCE manufacturing process for which we received “Product Innovator of the Year Award 2015 ” from FICCI, Govt of India. Rohit Naik, Business Director, Apple Chemie.
What according to you is Apple Chemie’s core strength inthe construction chemical division?
Apple Chemie is one of the leading Indian Construction Chemical company. What sets us apart is our core strength to manufacture Polycarboxylate Ether (PCE) indigenously and target a niche market of ancillary chemicals apart from admixtures.
How do you see the construction chemical market in India growing in the near future?
Construction Chemical market in India is in the phase of growing from a kid to a teenager. It is getting accepted widely and people are ready to take the leap to a better construction technology. There are many areas in this industry which are still in a nascent stage and we are sure that the awareness is going to increase many fold in the near future
What are the latest innovations & trends in the construction chemical Industry both in India and abroad?
The Indian construction chemical industry depicts a different scenario when compared to the world. The developments that have taken place to study the ettringite formation in zero gravity or developments in advanced PCE are something that the world is heading to. The Indian market on the other hand is growing towards a more sustainable and innovative product range which can cater to the wide geographical variations of the nation.
What is the percentage of exports in your total turnover? Which international markets seem to be promising for your products?
Apple Chemie has recently entered the international markets with exports to African countries. We have also received some inquiries from the Gulf which are slowly coming out of the recession phase. But the amount of constructional development seen in African countries looks very lucrative and promising.
What kind of R&D efforts does Apple Chemie undertake for new product & technology development?
Apple Chemie has a dedicated R&D centre which is constantly innovating products to add value to the Indian construction industry. We have developed a patented PCE manufacturing process for which we have received “Product Innovator of the Year Award 2015 ” from FICCI, Govt of India. Our R&D ranges from functional polymers to waterproofing products.
What is the current size of the Indian construction chemical industry and what is your forecast for the industry in 2016-17?
The current Indian construction chemical industry looks promising at
` 3000 crores and we expect a pleasant growth of around 15%-20% in 2016-17. The infrastructure industry looks to be growing leaps and bounds. Even though the economy does seem like it’s slowing down, construction continues on. This keeps the construction chemical industry growth trending upwards.
What would be the primary growth drivers for the construction chemical industry in the coming years?
The primary and important growth drivers for the construction chemical industry will be the proactive involvement of the Government to adopt these products for their projects. With the diminishing impact of recession in India, government should actively start investing in public projects. Private projects by conglomerates will always be there but i believe government projects can be a launch pad for construction industry in the coming years.
Could you briefly provide an outline of the challenges for Indian construction chemical players?
The non standardization of products in the tender documents is a major concern and a challenge in this growing industry. When you demand durability with quality, you demand products complying to certain standards. But checking the feasibility of international standards and their application to our environment is equally important. Another challenge that many of the reputed manufacturers face is the mushrooming of many small time manufacturers who supply sub standard quality material and in turn tarnish the image of the construction chemicals sector.
With the Government mulling to bring large hydropower units under the ambit of renewable energy, the demand for construction chemicals pertaining to Power sector may go up. What are your views on the same and what are the solutions you offer for this segment?
It is a very positive step the government is taking for a sustainable future. We cannot expect 100% replacement in one go, but definitely, a considerable percentage of replacement is viable. We have products like air entraining agents and alkali free set accelerators to cater to the demand of power sector. Hydro power, wind energy, solar energy are the upcoming avenues for which we are developing a special range of products which will benefit the consumer and will add mileage to our contribution towards a greener future.
From Noida to New Bombay and Ahmedabad to Nagpur a number of BRTS systems are being developed which includes tunnels, metros and monorails; as one of the established names catering to these sectors can you please mention a few notable projects you are a part of?
BRTS Systems are the future of transportation. With the growing population and congestion in cities, it is necessary to develop smooth, efficient and comfortable public transport systems for better movement. Apple Chemie started its supply to BRTS from the prestigious Mumbai Monorail. After the successful product implementation and results, we are already working with MEGA (Ahmedabad Gandhinagar Metro), and the home ground advantage could not be forsaken, hence we are supplying full range of chemicals to Nagpur Metro. With our consistent quality and dedicated logistics support, we are looking forward to be a part of many upcoming projects in this sector.
With an emphasis on green buildings by builders, developers and bodies like IGBC, these structures are the way forward to a cleaner and greener environment. What are innovative construction chemicals for Green Building offered by Apple Chemie?
Apple Chemie has developed a specific range of products as a “Green Building Product Range”. These include water based chemicals which will not have impact on the environment. We have a range of curing compounds which are specially developed for conservation of water. These chemicals, when sprayed on fresh concrete, do not need any further water curing, thus saving gallons of water and manpower deployed to achieve it.
Follow