Building green and using eco-friendly materials for
construction has been gaining popularity, and a growing number of AAC blocks manufacturers have sprung up
to meet the demand. The industry is facing many challenges in terms of costs,
but key players remain optimistic.
Challenges for the AAC Industry
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete or AAC blocks have been
around in India since 1972, but it wasn’t until 2010 when manufacturing and
production started ramping up—around the same time the popularity of green
building materials started growing. Even with all the positive benefits that
AAC blocks delivers, it is faced with a number of challenges that cause its
limited use as a building material.
The preferred raw material for AAC blocks is fly ash
or pond ash—a by-product of burning coal that is composed of silicon dioxide,
aluminium oxide and calcium oxide. This inorganic mix is ideal for processing
into blocks. While the material itself is cheap, transportation ramps up the
costs, as fly ash in India has to be transported from 300km away. Sand—another
component for making AAC blocks—is not easily accessible due to legal and
environmental concerns, and this likewise drives the prices upwards. The relatively
high cost compared to conventional fired blocks ultimately limits the accessibility
of AAC blocks, which is why they are often utilized only in high rise
construction and higher-end projects.
Overcoming the Issues
To remedy this, a campaign for greater awareness of
the benefits of AAC materials is essential. The campaign needs to focus on
boosting the popularity of AAC as a building material that is more efficient,
durable, and practical in the long term.
Legislation to support the sourcing of materials
will also contribute to driving costs down, making AAC more accessible for
everyone as the supply is guaranteed and the prices become more affordable.
Mandatory recommendation for the use of AAC materials for schools and
institutional construction work can also boost usage.
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