The uPVC industry has always played an important role in the booming real-estate and construction industry. The boom in the real estate sector in the mid 20s that resulted in a huge demand for windows and doors that was backed by a steady growth in the fenestration industry. The sector became more organized with the introduction of technologically advanced products and materials with customized solutions.
Sensing the potential in India’s rapidly growing building and construction activities new-housing, renovation and re-building, many international brands have set up their offices and production facilities in India rather than importing their products. Certainly a positive sign resulting into lucrative, exponential demand for uPVC doors and windows. Alongside, the emerging middle-class has also given push to building technologies and materials.
uPVC is a low maintenance yet effective material in making windows and doors. It is one such material that has gained attention over other traditional material. A cost and energy efficient product with zero-maintenance, water and wind-resistant, termite-free, dust-proof and durable can be reprocessed and reused. The ideal example is engineered wood considered to be the most adaptable and resourceful for doors and windows industry.
Times of change
Until a few years back there was not a single durable material for doors and windows. But not anymore, last few years uPVC windows and doors have seen an upsurge, it has advanced. Its extrusion technology and practices are currently dominating the industry. Primarily Indian subsidiaries of international companies) have their own extrusion units in India. For example Fenesta Building Systems, Encraft, Profine India, Welltech Systems and Sara Elgi Arteriors Limited are equipped with in-house extrusion lines for production of uPVC doors and window profiles.
Market scenario: Before 2020
As per FY’ 2018 metro cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata have been the major demand drivers for uPVC doors and windows. The medium and high-end residential apartment, luxury hotels and restaurants constituted a dominant share. The uPVC doors and windows industry possesses severe challenges from the unorganised players and is highly segmented due to presence of several medium and small scale companies operating only in profile extrusion segment or performing fabrication, installation or both.
Impact of Covid-19
Before the pandemic of Covid-19 many industry experts had expected and predicted the market share of windows to steadily incline further as the industry matures and gains traction. New-age, state-of-the art technologies like 3D printing, better aesthetics, safety, sound and thermal insulation, energy efficiency, and low maintenance are considered to be the driving force of market acceptance. But the exodus of this pandemic has been challenging for the industry. Coping and coming to terms with has been difficult. It has put severe strain on the industry affecting many livelihoods. Almost 90 % of the workforces have returned to their hometowns leaving manufacturers in the lurch. A hard blow to an industry already impacted because of economic slow-down.
