First sustainable Polyurethane and Foam expo in India

Media Fusion and Crain Communications, prominent event organisers, have announced India’s first sustainable Polyurethane and Foam Expo Show, which will be held at NESCO Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai on December 4-6, 2024.

This groundbreaking three-day exhibition and conference will bring together exhibitors and attendees, including producers, suppliers, and buyers of sustainable foam and polyurethane materials, products, technologies, and services, all under one roof. ISPUF acts as a catalyst, propelling the industry towards its aim of achieving a market size of US$ 5.18 billion (approx. INR 43000 crores) by 2031, fuelled by an impressive CAGR of 8.0 percent between 2024 and 2031.

Emphasising the growth of the industry, Matthew Barber, Global Events Director, Crain Communications, says, “India’s fast-growing foam and polyurethane market, along with its robust construction sector, underscores the significant potential of the ISPUF Expo. With the construction industry’s market size estimated to reach $1.4 trillion by 2033, the demand for polyurethane foam is set to surge across key sectors. India’s adoption of sustainable practices and the government’s production-linked incentives (PLI) schemes for industrial manufacturing are further driving the polyurethane foam market’s growth. ISPUF Expo fosters dialogue and collaboration for a sustainable polyurethane industry, offering a platform to explore the latest trends and innovations in the sector. Building lasting partnerships at ISPUF shapes the industry’s future.”

In keeping with the event’s focus on sustainability, a roundtable discussion was organised in Mumbai to address crucial concerns with the construction sector’s adoption of sustainable methods, including the use of polyurethane materials. The panellists included Vivek Mittal, Executive Director, Deloitte; Vinod Purohit, Chief Operating Officer, Cannon Indikos Machineries LLP; Raman Iyer, V.P. – Projects, Runwal Developers Pvt. Ltd.; Shri Aniruddha Nakhawa, National Hon. Gen. Treasurer-Elect, Builders’ Association of India; Er. Tukaram Devkar, Deputy General Manager, Lloyd Insulations; Mahesh Bangad, Chairman, Architects, Engineers & Surveyors Association; Sharma Ravikumar, Sustainability Consultant, Conserve Consultant; James Snodgrass, Editor, Urethanes Technology; Dr. Shraddha Jadhav, HOD, Department of Interior Spaces, Vishwakarma University, Pune.

Vivek Mittal, Executive Director of Deloitte, says, “India’s PU foam market is vast, and it’s essential to increase awareness about polyurethane foam insulation. Events like ISPUF serve as crucial platforms to showcase the benefits of PU foam in construction. Through live demonstrations, case studies, and expert discussions, people can witness how PU foam can be effectively utilised in various sectors, including commercial, industrial, and official buildings.”

The discussion sought to address the critical need for sustainable practices in the building industry. Buildings account for roughly 40 percent of CO2 emissions, and as India rapidly urbanises, there is a growing emphasis on making buildings more environmentally friendly. ISPUF brings important ideas to the forefront, demonstrating how materials such as PU foam can result in long-term cost benefits.

Mahesh Bangad, Chairman, the Architects, Engineers, & Surveyors Association, says, “Polyurethane foam finds applications in various sectors, including shoes, wall panels, insulation, and mattresses. Today, it’s also used extensively in the packaging and electronics industries. In construction, PU foam is effectively utilised to reduce the weight of skyscraper walls, in warehousing, and for sealing airport roofs and gaps between windows and doors. PU panels and sheets offer efficient insulation and can be used for cladding, contributing to environmentally friendly and cost-effective construction. With faster, more affordable construction methods, PU foam offers economic benefits and contributes to a greener environment. PU foam currently holds a small market share in India; however, industry experts are optimistic that within the next 10 years, it could capture 30–40 percent of the market, particularly in fire insulation and other critical applications. The upcoming UTECH India Sustainable Polyurethane and Foam Expo from December 4-6, 2024, in Mumbai will provide an excellent platform to explore PU foam’s potential and its role in sustainable construction practices.”

Er. Tukaram Devkar, Deputy General Manager of Lloyd Insulations, expressed, “In India, the PU foam market is substantial, and there’s a need to raise awareness about polyurethane foam insulation. We’re grateful to Media Fusion and Crain Communications for promoting this sustainable material. The recent roundtable aimed to promote sustainable practices in the construction sector, focusing on setting specifications and standards for PU foam across various industries. By increasing awareness, we hope to encourage a broader adoption of PU foam insulation. There are a few challenges, like the need for greater acceptance of PU foam insulation and finding cost-effective solutions. It’s crucial to use economic grades of polyurethane foam tailored to specific application needs.

During the conversation, successful projects including the Mumbai International Airport, IKEA buildings, and various cold storage facilities were mentioned. These projects effectively used polyurethane materials, lowering energy usage and operating expenses. Furthermore, employing environmentally friendly blowing agents like CFC and HFC-free alternatives can greatly cut carbon emissions and help with sustainability initiatives.

ISPUF Expo 2024 intends to showcase the newest sustainable developments in a variety of industries, including furniture, automobiles, engines, construction, insulation, footwear, packaging, chemicals, and others. Polyurethane, as one of the most effective thermal insulation materials, has enormous untapped potential for reducing energy consumption in buildings. Polyurethanes, which were previously thought to be more difficult to recycle than other polymer-based materials, are seeing an increase in economically feasible technologies for mechanical and chemical recycling. With increased CO2 emissions being the primary cause of global warming, numerous industries are utilising CO2 to create new raw materials for polyurethane. Bio-based polyols made from natural raw materials such as soya beans, caster beans, and cashew nuts are becoming more widely available as a replacement for fossil fuel-derived polyols. Innovative polyurethane materials are helping manufacturers improve vehicle sustainability and play an important role in EV battery development.

All of these innovations and more may be found at the UTECH India Sustainable Foam and Polyurethane Exhibition & Conference.

The expo will also feature innovations in product sectors such as antistatic foam, defoamers, polyester foam, polyether foam, spray foam insulation, specialised foam packaging, moulds, machinery, and handling equipment, casting and moulding technology, robotics/materials handling equipment/control systems, cutting equipment, and more.

Highlighting the event’s significance, Taher Patrawala, Managing Director of Media Fusion, says, “With the Indian economy expected to grow by 6.4 percent in 2024, the demand for polyurethane foam is set to surge across key sectors such as construction, packaging, furniture, and footwear. UTECH India’s Sustainable Polyurethane and Foam Expo comes at a crucial juncture, offering a platform to explore the latest trends and innovations in the polyol and polyurethane markets. As the industry increasingly prioritises environmental sustainability and eco-friendliness, ISPUF provides an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to engage, collaborate, and drive forward the future of sustainable foam solutions.”

The ISPUF Expo 2024 provides an excellent chance for industry stakeholders to discover ground-breaking ideas, form strategic alliances, and propel the foam and polyurethane industry into a new era of success.

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