HOW STEEL-READY IS INDIA

The growth trajectory of India's steel buildings market, depends on structural changes in policies, supply localisation, technology adoption, and customer expectations. An industry insight.

- By Anil Ramakrishnan

Stel buildings are getting increasingly popular in India, because they offer faster construction; lower long-term maintenance; superior seismic performance, design flexibility, and recyclability; though they come with come with higher initial costs, compared to traditional concrete buildings. In this context, Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEBs) - which employ modern, efficient construction methods using factory-fabricated steel components assembled onsite - are witnessing a huge demand surge. The Indian PEB market is projected to reach ₹34,500 crore by FY30 from ₹21,000 crore in FY25, as per reports.

In this feature, Construction Week gives you an industry insight into demand drivers; advantages of speed, cost, and design flexibility, eco-friendliness, recyclability, supply localisation; compliance requirements; and the challenges and solutions - associated with PEBs and steel buildings in India.

DEMAND DRIVERS

Let's start with what is driving the shift from the conventional concrete to steel construction. Over the past three to five years, demand for steel buildings in India has grown strongly across industrial, logistics and commercial sectors. E-commerce, rapid warehousing needs, manufacturing expansion and tight urban land, have pushed clients toward pre-engineered and modular systems, which steel structures amply offer, according to Pyush Lohia, Director, Lohia Worldspace, the real estate arm of the diversified Delhi-based Lohia Global Group. "Speed of delivery, predictable costs and easier future expansion make steel attractive. Increasing acceptance in institutional and retail projects shows versatility. The market momentum is driving wider adoption of steel nationwide, in spite of challenges emanating from inadequate regulatory familiarity and local erection skills,” he elaborates.