products such as PE-RT & PE-X are gradually gaining traction

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Constant training, skilling and upskilling of installers and plumbers must be undertaken by system manufacturers so as to enhance plumbing standards in the country, says Harsh V. Agarwala, Director, Ori-plast.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]How do you assess the market for plumbing / piping systems? 

The market for plumbing and drainage systems for residential, commercial and mixed used projects has started to mature of late. While earlier the focus might have been on driving down product and installations costs, promoters these days tend to focus more on reliable systems that are durable and offer excellent redundancy. No one wants an irate customer at the end of the day!

New products such as PE-RT and PE-X for plumbing and soundproof PP & PVC for drainage and HDPE and DWC for sewerage are gradually gaining traction and enhancing the level of MEP work in new projects to global parity levels. Having said that, there is quite a way to go before top of the line products and systems become de rigeur and installers also become familiar with using these systems.

Brief us on the growth opportunities? What is the CAGR expected?

There is ample scope of growth for manufacturers selling systems and solutions rather than just products. An offering that is convenient to install and maintain will also command a premium over those that are onerous to maintain. Given the challengenging macroeconomic situation, the market is not supposed to expand significantly but for innovative and reliable solutions a CAGR of at least 15% is easily achievable.      [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Has the dip in the realty segment impacted the growth of the plumbing/piping industry?

The volumes drivng overall growth of the piping industry has definitely been impacted by a slowdown in the realty space but with new regulations that enforce time bound project completion and new IS codes around construction will gradually streamline and enhance the stature of plumbing in all new and ongoing constructions. 

What is the contributory role played your company in introducing latest systems / products for safe / healthy, and sustainable water supply?

Some of the new trends in plumbing are driven by new materials and joining techniques. I have discussed some of these above. Our company too has been leading the charge in introducing new products into the Indian market. Some of our offerings over the last few years have been O-PVC for high pressure water lines in high rise buildings and larger projects, PE-RT piping systems for hot and cold water and new age water tanks in sizes up to 5,000L that are guaranteed to keep performing for decades. All of our plumbing products and water tanks are made from food grade material and we undertake stringent controls to avoid contamination of any sort. Our products, given their long life cycle are suitable for a sustainable environment and a healthy lifestyle.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]What are the trends in installation technologies so as to save time, cost and resources?

There are many new installation techniques that are being demondtrated and showcased by different system manufacturers including crimp type fittings, brass threaded fittings, push-fits etc. Most of them save installation and maintenance time but tend to be more expensive than the conventional solvent cement joint systems that a vast majority of Indian installers are familiar with. The most specialized of these are the push-fits or push joints which are just about entering the market. These are, on the face of it, a very quick and simple joining technology but the fittings themselves are state-of-the-art composite products that make the installers work easier and are certified to perform for long durations.               

However it must be remembered that any joining technology is only as good as its installer and constant training, skilling and upskilling of installers and plumbers must be undertaken by system manufacturers so as to enhance plumbing standards in the country.            [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]What is your take on the codes and standards for plumbing / piping industry?

The Government of India through the Bureau of Indian Standards and industry participants has started showing interest in developing rigorous standards for building construction and maintenance. The National Building Code of India - 2016 (NBC-2016) has a complete section on plumbing and allied services. This reinforces the criticality of plumbing and drainage to the well-being of people occupying the buildings. In addition to this, BIS also has a wide variety of standards covering different materials used to make plumbing products and systems.             

Simultaneously, Indian Plumbing Skills Council (IPSC), a sector skill council formed under the auspices of National Skill Development Act and run by NSDC and industry participants, of which I have the privilege of being aDirector, is laying down guidelines for the training, assessment and certification of plumbers.    

These two aspects taken together will definitely improve the standard of all pipelines in the country. We only need to better communicate these to the end-users so that they insist on their contractors and vendors conforming to these standards and guidelines.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Smart and eco-friendly technologies have become the norm in most of the business verticals. How does the scenario look like in the plumbing industry?

Environment should be a key concern for every sensible human being since we cannot continue to take our comfort on this earth for granted without treating our environment and planet with the same dignity and respect that we ourselves expect. Efforts to conserve water have already started in earnest in the space of CP fittings, faucets and sanitaryware with fixtures using significantly lesser quantity of water than they used to. These technologies are constantly being improved and augmented.             

For piping system, a concern for the environment must support good systems made of plastics since plastics are obtained as a byproduct of oil extraction and distillation and require significantly less energy to convert into piping systems. A well made plastic piping system will also likely outlive pipes made using any other material. At the end of their lives, these pipong products are for the most part recyclable too![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The government had its plans to eliminate the lead content in the pipes in the country. What are the initiatives as a responsible company you have taken?

The Government has taken an excellent initiative in eliminating lead content in pipes. However, their efforts must not stay limited to lead in plastic pipes, but cover all heavy metals in all kinds of piping materials.               

We have already phased out the usage of lead stabilizers which contributed to the presence of trace amounts of lead in PVC pipes. We are currently experimenting different technologies so as to completely eliminate the presence of all heavy metals in the products that we make.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]What are the major challenges that dent the growth of the plumbing industry?

Some challenges facing the plumbing industry are a slowing economy, insufficient raw material availability and lack of an even playing field for all participants. Some of these concerns are being addressed through the establishment of standards and the increase in production capabilities of Indian petrochemical majors but a lot more stil needs to be done.               

The worst enemy of the plumbing industry, however, is shoddy attention to the quality of products that some piping manufcaturers make. If we continue to give best efforts an attention to the products and systems made by us then the health and well-being of the entire country would improve and result in medical savings through well-being, lesser damage to structures due to water seepage and an overall improvemnet in the quality of life.    

What are the cutting edge solutions offered by your company?

In addition to the new products that we are making such as OPVC, PE-RT and MDPE gas piping, we also advise and assist our customers in designing pipelines that are durable and would have good performance at a reasonable value. At Ori-Plast we believe that a cutting edge solution must start at the design stage and is completed with installation and supported by maintenance – a one stop shop for all of our plastic piping needs.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Please tell us about your performance/ turn over in 2018 and how do you expect the year / this fiscal to end?

We processed 25,000 tonnes of polymer in the fiscal year ended March 2019 and we expect to close the current fiscal year at 30,000 tonnes. These however are just numbers and what matters more are satisfied customers![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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