Precast concrete: next revolution in Indian construction sector

“We are a one-stop supplier and solutions provider for all precasting needs,” claims Chander Dutta, Managing Director, Elematic India Pvt. Ltd.
 Elematic India has successfully commissioned 14 precast plants across India. With more than 450 patents in precast technology and 40 per cent global market share, Elematic is a name to be reckoned with. In an interview with ACE Update, Mr Dutta shares why Elematic India is strong enough to replicate its global success in India.
What is the current scenario of precast industry in India?Precast building construction is still in its nascent stages in India, and there is still a lack of awareness about it among the builders and developer community. Despite this, Elematic has supplied, installed and successfully commissioned 14 precast plants across India. Our competitors have also supplied roughly 10-15 plants.  Due to widespread project delays and consequently huge cost overruns, the industry is now responding and thinking of modern methods of building construction.
What are the benefits of using precast concrete technology?There are many benefits like sustainability of precast structures and low lifecycle cost of buildings. Precast elements made in a controlled factory environment are of high quality. Then there is no pilferage of raw materials and less consumption of steel. It also requires a little manpower and safer construction practices. Furthermore, precast concrete technology is 2-3 times faster than conventional construction.
How reliable are precast structures compared to the traditional structures?Precast construction is as reliable if not more as any other construction technology. Many iconic buildings have been constructed in high seismic areas such as Taiwan, Australia and California. Definitely in some cases, the entire building is constructed in precast concrete. Many high-rise buildings, which are made using a composite structure where some parts are in situ like shear walls and other parts are in precast.
In Iraq, Elematic has recently supplied the world’s largest precast plant in the nation for constructing an entire new city. Using precast elements produced in this plant, 750 housing towers of 10 storeys will be constructed in 3 years.
What’s the range of Elematic’s precast solutions?To construct any building, we need columns, beams, walls, slabs, staircases and lift shafts. Elematic provides the most modern, efficient machineries and moulds capable of producing all these elements. In addition, Elematic has a precast structural design division capable of designing residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Elematic is a 54-year-old company which has successfully supplied and installed over 1,000 precast plants in more than 100 countries. We hold over 450 patents in precast technology and have about 40 per cent market share in precast machinery supply worldwide. We are a one-stop supplier and solutions provider for all precasting needs.
What type of structures can be built using precast concrete technology?Worldwide, various kinds of structures have been built using precast technology. In India, more and more developers, builders and contractors are adopting precast concrete technology. From Delhi in the north to Chennai in the South, buildings like villas, mid-/high-rise apartment buildings and commercial buildings such as malls and industrial buildings have already been constructed using this technology. Recently DDA (Delhi Development Authority) has completed 18,000 precast units for affordable housing within 2 years and commissioned another project of 27,000 houses using precast concrete technology in 3 years.
Where do you see the precast industry in India in the coming years?Due to rising input costs of raw materials and manpower, shortage of skilled labour, and huge time and cost overruns of building projects, the builder/developer community is being forced to identify and adapt modern construction techniques. In order to remain competitive, mechanisation of construction industry is the need of the hour. Precast concrete satisfies all these needs and will be the next big revolution in the Indian construction sector. 

34