SIAM Cement  launches first AAC wall plant in Gujarat

With the commercial production of its first plant in Kheda, Gujarat, SIAM Cement BigBloc Construction Technologies Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between Thailand’s SCG International Corporation Co., Ltd. (SCG International) and Gujarat-based BigBloc Construction Ltd., has begun its activities in India.

The joint ventures committed about ₹ 65 crore to setup a 2.5 lakh cubic meter annual capacity project, comprising India’s first AAC Wall Plant at Kheda area near Ahmedabad (Gujarat), with the goal of launching next-generation walling solutions for the Indian market. ZMARTBUILD WALL by NXTBLOC is the brand name under which the AAC Wall will be sold. The combined venture will produce AAC Blocks as well.

On June 10, 2024, the facility was officially opened by H.E. Pattarat Hongtong, the Thai ambassador to India, who served as the guest of honor. Balvantsinh Rajput, the Gujarat government’s minister of industries, MSME, and chief guest, also attended, along with top representatives from SCG International and BigBloc Construction.

BigBloc Construction and SCG International, a Thai company, have formed a strategic joint venture with the aim of establishing a cutting-edge AAC Wall and AAC Block production facility in Kheda District, close to Ahmedabad (Gujarat). 52 percent of the joint venture company is owned by BigBloc Construction, and 48 percent is owned by SCG International. The SCG Group’s initial investment in India is this.

One of the biggest cement and building material companies in Thailand and Southeast Asia, SCG was founded in 1913 and is present in more than 22 countries. It has joint ventures with numerous foreign companies and operates in a variety of verticals, including cement, construction materials, packaging, chemicals, and many others.

 Naresh Saboo, Managing Director, BigBloc Construction Ltd says, “This joint venture goes beyond a simple business alliance, fostering a bond between countries and cultures. Construction at the plant began in September 2023, and within a year, production started, setting a remarkable record in India’s AAC industry. Moving forward, SCG and Bigbloc will work together on all building material solutions to strengthen the supply chain in India, leverage each other’s capabilities, and provide exceptional solutions to the construction industry. With approval from both joint venture parties, the project has the potential to expand to 5 lakh cubic meter per year in the second phase.”

In addition to being non-toxic and sustainable, AAC walls and blocks offer higher build quality, are lightweight, soundproof, and fire resistant. They are also more affordable and environmentally friendly than traditional bricks.

The first AAC wall plant in India will be located in the joint venture plant in Kheda, Gujarat. For the Indian market, the company will introduce a broad variety of big format AAC wall products measuring 8–12 feet in length, 2 feet in width, and 3–8 inches in thickness. When operating at full capacity, the factory is estimated to provide revenues of about ₹ 100 crore annually and create 250 employment opportunities. Along with bringing cutting-edge building materials to Indian markets, the joint venture hopes to foster mutual growth and cooperation in the construction industry and the sharing of techno-commercial expertise.

 Abhijit Datta, Head of International Business and Managing Director of SCG International says, “This collaboration combines SCG’s century-long expertise and advanced technologies with BigBloc’s deep understanding of the local market, we are poised to make a significant impact on India’s construction industry by delivering cost-efficient and sustainable construction solutions. We proudly introduce ‘ZMARTBUILD WALL by NXTBLOC’ – the next generation of world-class walling solutions. This ground-breaking venture is not just about setting new standards; it’s about redefining the construction landscape in India, one wall at a time.”

For more information, visit : https://www.scg.com/landing/index_en.html

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