PEB in India still at nascent stage [June 2013]

PEB in India still at nascent stage
“In the United States and European countries, PEB has expanded to commercial and residential projects extensively, whereas it’s still new in India,” says Amit Bharana, COO, Era Buildsys Ltd.
Indian PEB industry has evolved from simple warehouses to complex architectural buildings in the last 12-15 years. The industry has seen PEB market being expanded from industrial buildings to commercial buildings including high-rise buildings. Era Buildsys has been pioneer in providing high-rise PEBs with completion of one of its kind G+10 floor building executed in 2010 in Dera Bassi, Punjab.
PEB market in IndiaThe market for PEBs in India over the last 5 years has been very good as far as the growth is concerned. The industry witnessed economic slowdown in India due to recession in the United States and European markets in 2008-09. However, PEB market came out of the slowdown much earlier than anticipated and has been buoyant since then.
Impact of 12th Five-Year PlanAs the government is focusing on infrastructure sector in 12th Plan, it is a huge boost to the PEB industry because most of the infrastructure projects needs PEB structures. For example, with new airports coming up in B and C class cities, airport buildings and hangars are being done in PEB to save cost and time. Metro network is being expanded to major cities and all stations and workshops require PEB structures. With government’s spending on infrastructure, industrial segment will also get a lift and impact PEB industry positively. Advantages of PEB structuresPEB structures come with a plethora of advantages. These include single-source responsibility, faster installation, overall economical due to light structure and reduced project duration, factory-controlled quality and maintenance free.
Conventional structures vs PEB structuresPEBs are on an average 30 per cent lighter because of the efficient use of steel. Primary framing members are tapered built-up section with the large depths in higher stress areas. As a result, price per square metre may be low by 30 per cent as compared to conventional buildings. In conventional steel buildings, the erection costs and time are not estimated accurately. Erection is slow and extensive field labour is required. Heavy equipment are often needed too.
India’s stand in global competitionIn the United States and European countries, PEB has expanded to commercial and residential projects extensively whereas it’s still new in India.
As its only nascent stage for PEB in Indian market, there are plenty of opportunities in industrial, commercial, high rise and even residential segments. Era Buildsys is trying to address customer requirements using cutting-edge technology, experienced manpower and world-class manufacturing set-up in India.
Innovations in PEBs With latest software and experienced manpower, there are complex industrial and commercial buildings in PEB sector. Era Buildsys has done 35-metre tall buildings with 400-tonne EOT cranes, hangars with 70-tonne clear span, and high-rise buildings with G+10 floors in India. Now it’s quite acceptable in industrial and commercial segment to go with PEBs.
PEBs in residential segmentPEBs in residential segment were only confined to places at high seismic zones due to reduced risk with cold form structures. Now it is gaining popularity as its installation is very fast and overall cost is lower compared to RCC structures. Even PEBs are also used in multifloor residential buildings.———-

12