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Indian construction equipment manufacturers see a business potential in Bangladesh as the country is gradually phasing out clay brick and embracing cost-effective and eco-friendly automatic brick and block.
The use of block and automatic brick has been increasing in the construction sector in Bangladesh gradually for the last 10 years and brick manufacturers are also switching to the relatively environment-friendly brick-making.
“Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) will be the future building materials for this century replacing all major carbon-emitting alternatives,” said Abraj T Vettuparampil, managing director of Masa Concrete Plants India Private Ltd, a machinery manufacturer for building materials.
AAC is made with fine aggregates, cement, and an expansion agent that causes the fresh mixture to rise like bread dough. Its light weight/cellular properties make it easy to cut, shave, and shape, accept nails and screws readily, and allow it to be routed to create chases for electrical conduits and smaller-diameter plumbing runs. This gives it design and construction flexibility, and the ability to make easy adjustments in the field.
Masa India, a subsidiary of Masa, Germany’s pioneer of automated building materials machinery manufacturer, took part at the 5th Bangladesh BUILDCON International Expo at the International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital’s Kuril. The three-day event concluded yesterday.
AAC can be made from sand and fly ash, an industrial waste from thermal power plant.
Vettuparampil said Masa is planning to set up a plant near Dhaka soon, which will set the benchmark for AAC manufacturing in Bangladesh.
He said he sees a potential market of Masa in Bangladesh thanks to rapid urbanisation and growing awareness about environment.
Punit Patel, deputy general manager for marketing and sales at Venus Equipment, another construction company in India, said the demand for construction equipment is increasing in Bangladesh as a lot of development works are underway.
He said interested dealers and businessmen have contacted with them and showed interest to purchase their equipment.
The company can supply quality ready-mix equipment at comparative prices, he noted.
Ajit Puria, stall in-charge of Q Green Techcon, said the company has a good number of clients in Bangladesh and the number is increasing gradually as concrete block and paver fly ash brick are getting popular in the country.
The company manufactures machines that can produce brick from fly ash, concrete brick, block and paver block as well as material handling equipment.
More than 250 exhibitors from 10 countries showcased materials, machinery, equipment, tools and hardware at the concurrent Bangladesh BUILDCON International Expo as well as the 5th Bangladesh Wood International Expo 2019, which drew 6,210 business visitors, according to Tipu Sultan Bhuiyan, managing director of ASK Trade & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, one of the organisers.
source(DS)