PVC LAMINATE MARKET CAN GROW IF
Indian PVC laminate industry is very much novice which has registered fast growth in its markets in past few years. With around 30 producers PVC mica reached to pan India markets in merely six-seven years time, but its growth slowing and turning negative from year 2022, need to look for some introspection.
In this fast growing, every day new surface product offering market, few other decorative panels have taken over PVC mica market share which is creating doubts among producers and distributors. Instead 3 mm PVC laminates sheets are growing sharply since last couple of years as it is emerging as a partition panel product. With growing queries raised during Ply Reporter seminars outcome, following points must be understood and highlighted more forcefully by the PVC industry among users & contractors
PVC mica, being a 90 degree bendable sheet, offer 1.2 mm sheets, which is grooved first and then folded to make the edges seamless and beautiful, but carpenters are not motivated and equipped enough to do it everywhere. To do this process they cut it and use edge band, hence there could be possibility of reducing PVC sheet thickness to 1.0 mm, then offer matching PVC egdebands tapes and make the product more economical.
- Industry has promoted its high gloss sheets in PVC but there other finishes to bring focus upon such as Matte, Super Mat, soft touch designs which are in trend but not yet aggressively shown and promoted by manufactures.
- Industry focus on top Surface that is decorative foil, you keep innovation but improve the quality of PVC resin to minimise complains related to yellowing, cracks, bubbles etc, use high quality PVC resins, try ABS also, use led free materials to create niche in this product to fight others similar decorative panels.
- The product is mainly in retail market through carpenters, but now there is a need of spreading awareness among Architects about of its benefits, and convince them to use this materials. Also promote its uses in Partitions.
- Promote PVC laminate in tier 3 cities and rural markets, which is much bigger and potential for ready to use and wonderfully looking product.
- Also bring in panels and boards e.g with PVC pasted on substrate like Plywood & MDF.
- With 30 manufacturing units, it is 'Make In India', bridge emotional connect in users mind.
- Identify export Avenue.
- Adopt organise work culture for next growth.
This is the first issue of year 2023, with lots of news reports. The study reports on India's PVC edgeband industry is worthy and informative for panel trade sector. The opinion of Mr Shobhan Mittal, MD, Greenpanel Industries Ltd; Mr Pawan Garg, MD, Reynobond India on ACP industry; Mr Pranob Basak, New Director of AICA Laminates India Pvt Ltd; and Mr Sumit Mangal, Director, Star Laminate is learning for related industries stockholders. Besides many reports, new launches, happenings have been covered in this issue.