“C3: First Successful Step to a Better Future” [May 2012]

Samir Surlaker, President CCMA opines about the future of construction chemicals industry in India and CCMA’s plan of action
Are you happy with the kind of response received at C3?Construction Chemicals International Seminar – C3 in short, was held in Mumbai on 17th and 18th February and was well attended by over 350 delegates. The response from the attendees, the interaction and dialogue between the constructors, end-users and the construction chemical companies were well received.
The delegates also got a firsthand exposure to construction chemicals by way of the exhibition that was part of the seminar. In addition, excellent networking at lunches, dinners and cultural programme made C3 a grand success as per feedback from participants.
So overall our CCMA team effort and the effect it had in raising awareness about our industry do make us happy. It is the first successful step to a better future.
What were your objectives behind bringing the construction chemicals industry in India under a single umbrella and organising such an event on the subject that was neglected for years?Today is the age of fast track construction in India. Construction both residential/commercial and infrastructural has seen an immense growth spurt. In line with this growth much quality speed economy and durability is demanded of construction. These qualities can only be achieved by efficient use of construction chemicals. The growth in the construction industry combined with the increasing demand for faster and safer construction; will propel the growth of the construction chemicals industry.
The key objectives for the association will be to promote the growth of the construction chemicals industry, by raising awareness and quality standards and to be a representative body for communicating with government, chambers of commerce regulatory bodies and other forums, local and international.
With the C3 seminar, we focused on this cause. The participants were end users, specifiers, government decision makers etc. The seminar also focused on problems faced by decision makers to specify and use these products with confidence. International speakers were invited who could instil confidence in our local civil engineering fraternity about benefits of usage of construction chemicals. With this development, CCMA is set to become the voice of the construction chemical industry.
Have you succeeded in achieving your goal?The C3 seminar is one of the first forays into achieving our objectives. The success of the seminar is a good indication that the interest in correct usage of construction chemicals is fast gaining ground due to the benefits in speed, durability and life-cycle costs it provides. Therefore, yes the seminar was the first successful step in achieving success for our objectives.
So, what’s next? Do you have any plans to take this initiative to a greater level, even to the rural India?Of course, one of the main objectives of this seminar and CCMA is to create trust in end users by creating standardisation and transparency. To take this initiative to the next level, training programs would be held all over India for applicators because application is a very important aspect of the very success of waterproofing and repair systems.
In addition, a handbook is planned on the correct usage of construction chemicals in collaboration with Indian Concrete Institute. Attempts are already on way to introduce technical topics in the academic syllabi. Training programmes are in advance stages of design. These roving seminars will be taken to rural areas as well as engineering colleges. Another initiative is to open up local chapters all over India and also a seminar is planned in Ahmedabad in June / July 2012. Two more seminars are in advanced state of planning, one involving dry-mix mortars and the other involving the stakeholders in the construction chemicals industry. A further idea was to get a marking on construction chemicals to increase the confidence of the end user. With this holistic approach, the industry and awareness about is confident of growing.
Could you brief us on the current status of construction chemicals industry in India and role of cheap imports?With the holistic approach CCMA is planning, the industry is confident of growing from present revenue of about Rs. 2,000 crore to Rs. 5,000 crore in next 2 to 3 years. This is absolutely possible considering the large gap in demand and supply. With the focus on durability, sustainability, green practices and mitigating life – cycle cost of buildings and infrastructure construction chemicals can play an important role in overall development of construction.
The construction chemical industry has come up to age in our country. Overall in the organised sector the quality of construction chemicals is quite at par with international counterparts. All system like QA/QC, ISO 9000 etc. are in place. The entry of multinationals in this field with direct access to international technology has raised the bar of quality. This is to be met by local manufacturers. Be it imports or locally produced materials, the focus of purchasing or specifying construction chemicals should be solely on basis of performance. If we can get a better performing material manufactured in India, it will be a big benefit to the Indian industry as a whole. This benefit will also depend on Government accepting construction chemicals as recognised industry; back up with incentives and rationalisation of Government taxes, duties and levies.
Could you discuss about your plan of action in countering the situation?As far as the road ahead goes, a segment of C3 was a panel discussion and adoption of resolution for the future course of action. It was decided that a resolution incorporating views of construction chemicals manufacturers and end users would be submitted to central and state Governments by taking help of FICCI, CII etc.
Overall, the road forward is to be paved with objectives such as raising awareness for correct usage of construction chemicals, training, promoting sustainable practices, standardisation of products and moving construction industry standards to performance based specifications.

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