Concrete is set to take center stage as Informa Markets in India, a prominent organizer of trade exhibitions, hosted an exclusive roundtable discussion today at The Radisson Blu in Ahmedabad. This event offered a comprehensive preview of the much-anticipated “World of Concrete India 2024,” which is scheduled to occur from October 16 to 18, 2024, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. The expo promises to be a vital gathering for professionals and stakeholders in the concrete and construction industries.
The Indian construction industry has experienced remarkable growth, quickly establishing itself as a formidable player on the global stage. It is projected to ascend to the position of the world’s third-largest construction market within the next two to three years. Furthermore, estimates indicate that the Indian construction market could soar to an astounding $1.4 trillion by 2025, further enhancing its economic outlook.
This rapid expansion is largely fueled by government initiatives, notably the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), which aims to invest ₹111 lakh crore (approximately $1.5 trillion) by 2025. Currently, over 7,000 projects are actively underway across vital sectors, including energy, roads, railways, and urban infrastructure, showcasing the government’s commitment to bolstering the industry.
In conjunction with this growth trajectory, the cement sector in India, which reached an impressive 3.96 billion tonnes in 2023, is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. This growth is expected to elevate production to 5.99 billion tonnes by 2032, reflecting the increasing demand for construction materials.
The roundtable discussion in Ahmedabad featured a distinguished panel of industry leaders, including Dr. Maulik Ranka, Director of Zydex Industries; Kaustubh Phadke, India Head of the Global Cement and Concrete Association; Col Dr Gaurav Singh, Technology Advisor; Jatin Parekh, Managing Director of HROC; Shailesh Chauhan, Director of CHIR-AYU Controls Pvt. Ltd; Parth Patel, Production Head at BN Precast; and Rajneesh Khattar, Senior Group Director at Informa Markets in India.
The panel engaged in a thorough exploration of evolving trends within the concrete industry, emphasizing sustainability, innovations in green concrete, and the regulatory challenges the sector faces. They underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in fostering technological advancements and eco-friendly solutions to ensure the industry’s resilience and continued growth.
Building on the successes of prior editions, the upcoming 10th Anniversary edition of the World of Concrete India is poised to be a landmark event for the construction sector. This year’s exhibition is expected to attract over 15,000 professionals from the industry, featuring more than 300 brands and exhibitors from around the globe, including countries such as Germany, Italy, the USA, Kuwait, South Korea, Finland, and Japan.
The event will showcase a diverse range of products and technologies related to concrete, masonry, and construction, providing an invaluable platform for networking, exchanging innovative ideas, and fostering professional development. Key participants will include contractors, subcontractors, purchasing managers, construction managers, project managers, architects, consultants, structural and civil engineers, as well as buyers from real estate, government, municipal authorities, and investors.
Centered around themes of innovation and sustainability, World of Concrete India 2024 will feature a comprehensive three-day knowledge forum and conference. Topics will encompass digital transformation and sustainable construction practices, with a variety of activities scheduled, including an inaugural ceremony, panel discussions, exclusive conclaves for CEOs and CTOs, a dedicated session for Women in Construction, product showcases, masterclasses, B2B meetings, and specialized pavilions.
The event will also honor industry achievements with prestigious awards, promoting a culture of excellence and forward-thinking innovation. Dr Maulik Ranka, Director of Zydex Industries, expressed enthusiasm about their participation in the World of Concrete show for the second consecutive year. He highlighted Zydex’s distinction as the first Indian company to introduce silicate-based mineral paints to the market.
He explained that the key difference between silicate paints and conventional acrylic coatings lies in the material composition; silicate paints replace a layer of plastic (acrylic paints) with a robust, brilliantly colored mineral layer. Composed of microscopic quartz crystals as the primary binder, these paints not only allow the vibrant mineral pigments to shine but also enhance the breathability of structures.
With a service life measured in decades rather than mere years, silicate mineral paints significantly contribute to the sustainability of buildings while reducing life cycle costs. Kaustubh Phadke, the India Head of the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), emphasized the essential role of concrete in our lives, stating that it is the second most utilized substance on Earth after water. He noted concrete’s durability, disaster resilience, and long lifespan as vital attributes for construction.
Moreover, he pointed out that concrete has the capacity to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere over its lifespan, functioning as a carbon sink. The development of low-carbon concrete promises to enhance these benefits. The GCCA India is proactively engaged in defining low-carbon concrete and advocating for concrete as a sustainable building material. He expressed best wishes for the World of Concrete India event, recognizing it as a crucial platform for advancing discussions on sustainable concrete practices.
Dr Gaurav Singh, a Technology Advisor, remarked on the transformative potential of digital twins and AI applications within the construction industry. He highlighted that these technologies could exponentially accelerate progress in India, with regions such as the Middle East, the US, and the EU already extensively employing these innovations throughout the project lifecycle—from planning to operations.
Citing examples like Dubai, which operates entirely on a Digital Twin, and Saudi Arabia’s Neom project, he underscored the enhancements in efficiency, safety, and effectiveness that these technologies offer, all while reducing costs and the need for manpower in routine tasks. He also mentioned the launch of the ‘National Policy on Digital Twin’ by the MoRTH in August 2023, with the Honorable Minister Gadkari spearheading the initiative to drive the adoption of these technologies in India’s construction sector.
Rajneesh Khattar, Senior Group Director at Informa Markets in India, pointed out that while Mumbai serves as the central hub for the construction sector in the western region, Gujarat has emerged as a significant player. He noted that over 40 to 45 companies from the state will be participating in this year’s exhibition, reflecting a substantial increase from previous editions.
These companies encompass the entire value chain, including cement, ready-mix concrete, construction chemicals, and equipment. Gujarat’s firms represent a burgeoning segment of the industry, capturing approximately 18-20% of the total market share in the region. The state’s innovative approach is exemplified by the adoption of advanced technologies such as 3D printing and sustainable construction practices.
According to the Invest India report, India’s construction sector is set to grow to USD 1.4 trillion by 2025, with an anticipated 50% increase in the coming years. This growth is further supported by government initiatives like the National Infrastructure Pipeline and Sagar Mala, alongside a projected CAGR of 7-7.5%. The industry’s expansion is also propelled by a strong focus on renewable energy and environmentally sustainable practices, reflecting a collective commitment to sustainability in the sector.
Commenting on the announcement of the World of Concrete event, Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets in India, stated that India, as the second-largest producer of cement globally, contributes over 8% of the world’s installed capacity. The expanding infrastructure and construction sectors, bolstered by government initiatives like the PMAY aimed at affordable housing and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, are expected to further drive cement demand.
In response to this growth, World of Concrete India is adopting a solutions-oriented approach, providing a vital platform for suppliers to actively engage with the entire construction and infrastructure value chain. This year’s expo will feature participation from renowned brands such as Reliance, Adani Cement, Asian Paints, Ammann, Ardex Endura, Thermax, Honda India, Zydex Industries, Mapei, MYK Arment, UltraTech, among others.
The event will be supported by notable associations including the Builders Association of India, the Indian chapter of the American Concrete Institute, RMCMA, and Drycotec – Dry Mortar Association. In Gujarat, particularly in Ahmedabad, the construction boom is visibly transforming the landscape, with the city playing a pivotal role in this sector’s growth. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, Gujarat attracted an impressive USD 7.3 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), representing a 55% increase from the previous year.
This influx of investment is driven by critical factors such as Gujarat’s robust industrial infrastructure and business-friendly policies, which have significantly enhanced the ease of conducting business in the state. The construction industry in India encompasses approximately 250 sub-sectors, with significant contributions from infrastructure projects like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor, which alone consumes around 20,000 cubic meters of cement daily—sufficient to construct eight ten-story buildings.
