SCULPTURAL BEAUTY from WPC BOARDS

Materials are the key elements for any creation. Stone and wood have been ranking at the top of the materials till date for sculpture making and creations. Sculptures have always helped human for identification of the different times and eras of the history. Stones, Metals, and wood have best supported this long-lasting phenomenon of sculpture making.

I have been working on different applications of WPC materials as my extreme passion. This material is a wonder as a composite from natural wood and plastic. Their mutual properties are helpful for developing different applications and products. A few things you should know are its technical properties, bonding tactics, surface preparations, coating, and painting methods for materials. One most important thing about this material is its joinery system. If you get hands on experience with WPC boards, then you can create modules without screw!

The surface of the material comes as a finished one during its production itself. It doesn’t need any protective layers like HPL sheets during applications. This way you can use it for the direct applications may be in interior or exterior. It can be cut to any custom shape with hand tools and CNC machines; thus, you can create designer marvels out of these sheets.

STORY of the sculpture

A similar experiment was conducted by the students of CEPT (Centre for environmental planning & technology) earlier with our sheets. Then it became a history and a story now. I was trying to find out the core team of designers those had created this beautiful sculpture since years. But I could not find them. But during my recent effort in finding them again I found a photography maestro from Ahmedabad who captured this sculptural beauty into his camera. Dr Ravi Tahilramani, popularly known as Dr Rave in the creative world is a Doctor, Photographer, Filmmaker, and a business owner. While finding that CEPT student team on google, I accidentally met with Dr Rave via his website. I found those pictures on his website and got connected with him. He expressed those wonderful moments of how he captured such images when Drones were not available. He really created & captured something with his own vision, for which was in a quest since years. On my request he really shared this image with the immense joy, and I am sharing it here for the WPC fraternity and architecture world today. But still I have not yet found that student who created this masterpiece. I hope soon I will find them in this round world.

Here you can find those images where WPC sheets were used for creating artistic sculpture. This was placed at one of the Ahmedabad’s known malls for years. Yes, it is made of WPC.

WPC sheets can be used for architectural sculptures and murals. Previously we understood about the application of sheets for heritage design preservations. Moving further towards sculptures and murals, architects can create unique formations from WPC boards because of its precision for CNC cutting. WPC boards carry outstanding properties for use if outdoor weather applications as shown in the picture. At times it can be painted also for adding more life, not immediately like wood but may be after several years. I would say this as a very important material for architectural creations those need to be made faster, economical, smarter and for a long life. Similar sculptures if designed for interiors, then what to say about its life…. may be several decades!!

Hardik Panchal,
HARDY SMITH

Photos by Dr Rave
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/drravitahilramani/), www.drrave.com

FOMA Microspheres as an Expanding Agent in Wood Plastic Composites

It is a unique kind of Blowing Agent, Weight Reducer & Property Improver.

FOMA microspheres are microscopic spheres comprising a thermoplastic shell encapsulating a low boiling point liquid hydrocarbon. When heated to a temperature high enough to soften the thermoplastic shell, the increasing pressure of the hydrocarbon will cause the microspheres to expand. When the heat is removed microspheres remain in their new expanded form with gas entrapped in a closed and elastic cell structure.

Expansion of FOMA microspheres results in a dramatic decrease of the density. Typical values are from 1000 down to 30 kg/m³.

Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) can produce an article very similar to real wood. But by using FOMA Microspheres as a foaming agent it becomes possible to add many technical advantages to WPC. Importantly, Foma can be used with PVC, PE and PP based WPC production.

Unique advantages of FOMA Microspheres in WPC

– Low Density
– Better Surface Appearance
– Improved Dimensional Stability & Durability
– Cost Saving
– Better Water Resistance
– Improved ability to accept nails or screws

Such profiles can be extruded for use in residential flooring, in furniture components, decking and many other applications. FOMA Microspheres provide consistent, tight, uniform cell structure in the polymer matrix which is necessary to maintain the achieved densities and the mechanical properties.

For more information,

Connect to,

MAHESH INDIA
www.maheshindia.com

How will India manage Carpenters, Masons & Technicians now?

Time is changing fast for India.

Carpentry & Masonry system is being revived with decreasing number of this community. Carpenter’s & Mason’s children are becoming architects and not carpenters. India is developing multi-fold and multi-facade and developments are now happening PAN India. Each and every state of the country is now blown with the wind of Infrastructure development.

Situation is quite positive, perfect, and opportunistic as a country. But availability of Labours and artisans is the fastest growing issue of today. Migration labour is returning to their states of native, as they are getting to earn there as well now. Their small farms are still producing grains for them and family, thus they are thinking of returning to their Work-city back now.

Yes, we are quite in the situation like other developed countries now. It is just a starting (but too fast) and we have to be cautious about this.

India has grabbed the PACE now for infrastructure growth and we can see towering buildings in almost all the cities now. Apartments, Villas, Farmhouses, Weekend Homes, Industrial estates, Office buildings, Commercial buildings, Malls and architectural marvels have come up from their footings. Parallel to that manufacturing sector is also booming and new factory buildings, shades and estates are also taking a big shape. Roads, Rails, Airports and Seaports are under massive expansions all around.

To compensate this demand, we will need three resources at its best:

1. Skilled Manpower
2. Smart Materials
3. Automation

We have to really engage our technical and training institutions for developing skilled manpower. We must create a very positive and strong environment to attract a big mass of youth to take interest in technical skills.

We must start use materials those are smart in manufacturing, smart in applications and environment friendly, reusable and maintenance free. These materials should be able to deliver finished products at the fastest possible pace.

We will have to start investing in the technology and automation, which can run will less people now. We all must start worry about the labour availability of present and near future.

This is a very sensitive issue now and cumulatively it needs attention and addressing by the industry, experts and government. We cannot just keep doing manufacturing and businesses, keeping eyes and ears closed anymore now. We may be stopped anytime without these resources. We will have demand and orders from Domestic and International markets, but we will not be able to deliver. And that is going to be the most sensitive situation as a country.

We have surely learnt IT & AI, but we have not learnt adoption of technology and automation at Small & Middle Industry level. These two segments have to be awakened now, rapidly considering the huge opportunities for the nation. 

It is the time now to update our instincts.

Hardik Panchal
for WPC NEWS

WPC claddings on container façades at a Sea beach project

About the project-

Shivrajpur Beach is a Blue Flag beach situated 12 kilometres from Dwarka a known Krishna pilgrimage in Gujarat, India. Government of Gujarat is developing this beach with well-planned infrastructure shaking hands with leading architect firm from Gujarat. This beach is going to relate to a coastal highway of Gujarat. Gujarat Tourism as a principal entity is developing this beach with sports and luxurious amenities. As a part of that, an entire patch is established with container domes. Those will be used for multiple tourist applications across the beach. All the containers are being fixed with WPC wall cladding over facades. It is an exterior application exactly over a sea front and WPC fits best as the wood replacement material.

Why WPC is selected against wood –

Wood Polymer Composite, popularly known as WPC in the global market is a perfect substitute of natural wood. Conventionally and historically natural wood has been in use as a premium and luxurious material since centuries. Wood is in use with applications of primers, varnishes, veneers and paints for the enhanced beauty and weather protection. Being a natural material, it is sensitive to weather for its use in moisture, termite, UV conditions. Without protection, wood cannot sustain in outdoor applications. It needs periodic maintenance and regular safety checks as well.

WPC is a composite made with polymer and natural fibres (wood waste, agriculture residues), thus carrying mutual properties of both the materials. One is a man-made material and another is natural material. Both have different polarities to work with, but polymer technology and advance material technologies has made is successfully possible to bind them together for form a uniform composition. This composition creates a material that can withstand moisture, termite and UV effects, far better than the wood.

WPC is made with typical wooden colours and shades; thus, it is easy to select against woods. WPC can be made with surface with different textures and finishes to give you a typical natural wooden feel an aesthetic touch. WPC can be manufactured as per the architect or landscaper’s length, colour and surface finish requirements.

WPC can be made with single extrusion and co-extrusion surfaces as per the weather requirements. WPC can be easily fixed or cladded on vertical and horizontal surfaces with its interlocking designs. WPC doesn’t require any sensitive care, like wooden materials. It is a rough and tough material for external use. It doesn’t require any surface protection treatments like wood.

Challenges for WPC, if any –

As such there are no drawbacks for it’s use in facades. Application wise also it is almost similar vide fixing mechanisms and joineries. It can be use for vertical facades and horizontal ceilings as well for external use.

There are no major challenges for WPC, if we compare WPC apple to apple with natural wood. Yes, it can be colour fed with certain percentages between 10-12% at times while use in exterior facades. But it is like other materials those are withstanding against temperature delta from 6 degree to 48 degree. It is like the materials those are facing heat and dust round the clock. It is like the materials those are facing drastic moist condition to the extreme temperature condition, just in a day. But it stands and fits best against natural wood applications, anywhere.

WPC is a material made with 55-60% nature fibers (wood or agriculture residues) and pigmentation is happened during the mechanical process to polymer and natural fiber both. But post sanding process surface gets opened with natural fibers and those comes into effect of weather, just like a polished wood comes into. It results into colour fade at long, but moderately. It is 90% far better and safe against wood for façade use.  

Project Location: Shivrajpur Beach, Gujarat.
Project Developer: Gujarat Tourism, Government of Gujarat
WPC supplier: HARDYPLAST WPC, India.

WPC can contribute to the circular economy.

WPC in India is made up of Virgin and recycled plastic materials, added with waste wood/agri wastes. The motive behind developing the product which can easily and positively contribute to the circular economy of the country. Today when our country is moving forward with positive aggression for infrastructure growth, selection of sustainable materials is a key factor for the industry. Some points are important for the government and construction industry of india, as follows.

1. How is the Infra Construction Industry adapting to the concept of circular economy?

A: Indian infrastructure industry is adopting green building practices under government’s initiative, as well. Construction companies are consciously selecting and using such materials into practice as responsible organisations. Post RERA implementation, use of qualitative products with eco-friendly and reusable/recyclable characteristics are being increased. Increasing use of materials those can be recycled, reused, recreated will lead to saving of natural resources and virgin materials. Use of Glass facades, which can reduce the use of electricity consumption is one major adoption by companies. Use of smart design furniture made with reusable/recyclable materials like WPC, Plastic, Textile etc are sensitively being adopted. All such measures will save natural resources by reducing consumption of conventional materials.

2. The construction industry has been exploring the use of various recycled materials such as C&D waste, fly ash, plastic waste, glass aggregate, old tires, etc. in infrastructure projects. Could you elaborate on the potential benefits and challenges associated with incorporating these recycled materials into construction practices? 

A: If we talk from WPC material’s perspective, as a country we are manufacturing major chunk of Standard WPC Door frames those are from Recycled plastic material with waste wood. These frames can be recycled and reused for making the similar product again. WPC Doors, Windows are also being supplied to the construction projects those are made from recyclable plastic composites. We also supply WPC Panels for furniture and partition making by educating the direct possible applications without any surface preparation. These materials can be surely recycled for 2-3 times for reuse.

We can offer materials with buy back assurance of 25-30% to the project buyer. This will create a ‘CIRCLE’ of getting these materials back to the factories at around ¼ of the resin price. This will drastically decrease the manufacturing cost of the product. Once it will be in regular practice than we can supply WPC products at much effective cost than the prevailing market rates. This will save lot of trees added with reduced consumption of virgin materials. There can be shipping challenges for using of old/waste materials, but they can be systematized with reverse logistic planning.

3. What measures, at the government and industry levels, can be taken to enhance the adoption and utilization of recycled materials for a more sustainable future and support the ‘waste to wealth’ mission?

Both must work hand in hand for policy making and implementation. There should be compulsion for use of recyclable, eco-friendly, reusable materials in construction projects for Private sector and public sector. All government tenders should be mentioned with such materials only. There are some parts missing in the country in case of local technology for recycling and waste material processing, but standardization of building design can help a lot for setting up scalable processing units. E.g., All Door and Window sizes should be standardized across the country for all construction projects. This will help setting up the processing of waste/recycled materials units, effectively and efficiently. We must collaborate with the research organisation from the globe for learning and adoption of technologies for recycle and reuse of Fly Ash, waste wood, Ceramics, Glass, Plastic waste, Rubber tires. We must take it the level where our universities can teach them as full-time curriculums.

Special incentive schemes can be declared for entrepreneurs developing such projects. This will lead a great sustainable future for the country.

Pete Seeger, a folk singer, political activist, and a key figure in the mid-20th century quoted, “If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production.”

(As per the talks with Maria Rasheeda, NBM CW, India.)
Hardik Panchal for WPC NEWS, India.

GLUE/ADHESIVES FOR WPC – New product options emerging…

Over the past decade, WPC Material has carved a strong niche in the wood market. From furniture boards to flooring, WPC is fast emerging as a fast-growing product in all segments. The WPC product market, which has crossed Rs 3,000 crore in the Indian timber and panel market of around Rs 80,000 crore, has attracted everyone’s attention. Today, its portfolio includes all the top line wood industry brands of WPC products in India.

Now when any material is for panel furniture or joinery, glue becomes the most important raw material for it. Whether to join panel to panel or to apply decorative material to its surface, a good glue is essential. Today, whatever glue is available in the market for WPC, a description of them is given below, which will be useful for traders, carpenter friends and furniture units of this material.

PAPER LAMINATE TO WPC (MICA SHEET)

HEATX of Fevicol (Pidilite) has been in use for this application since long. Recently another glue of Fevicol is also being tested in the market by the company, which is specifically for sticking PVC WPC with mica sheet.

At present, Astral company’s WPC FIX glue is also available in the market for fixing the mica on the WPC sheet.

PVC LAMINATE TP WPC

Since last many years PVC laminate is a new product emerging which is suitable for decoration over plywood and WPC boards.

Astral company’s WPC Fix is ​​currently available in the market for bonding PVC laminate with plywood.

Fevicol’s HEATX is also in use for PVC laminate with WPC board. To apply HEATX, a thin layer of glue is drawn onto the surface of both the board and the laminate. It is necessary to keep this layer of glue evenly spread and thinly spread, otherwise there may be a bubble at that place by pulling the moisture in future. After drying for a while, the laminate is pressed over the board.

Apart from this, BENSON Polymer‘s glues are available in the market under POLYFIX brand, they can also be suitable for WPC to PVC Laminate, Mica and Wood.

Recently ALSTONE who is a leading Indian manufacturer of WPC products has also launched glue for WPC to Mica, PVC Laminate and Acrylic Laminate. It can be a good options for multiple substrates on WPC.

WPVC TP WPVC

HARDYBOND brand quick fix glue is available in the market for joining WPC with WPC, which is a product of HARDYPLAST. The mechanical name of this adhesive is Cyanoacrylate. The material made of PVC does fast bonding with other materials. The use of HARDYBOND and screws for making furniture will provide strength.

Promoted by WPC NEWS for information about Indian WPC markets.

Renewable Materials Conference 2023

Renewable Materials Conference 2023 – The Future Sustainable Chemical and Materials Industry will be Based Entirely on Recycling, Biomass and CO₂

From 23 to 25 May 2023, the brightest stars of renewable materials will meet in Siegburg/Cologne (Germany). More than 500 participants are expected to attend the “Renewable Materials Conference 2023” – the meeting point for global leaders in industry, science, and politics.

What will the future of the chemical industry look like?

A wide range of concepts and technologies will be addressed at the conference: circularity, renewable refineries, and chemical recycling as well as new process technologies. Technologies to produce more sustainable chemicals, building blocks, polymers, plastics and fine chemicals based on renewable carbon: recycling, biomass or CO2. Up-to-date information on new innovations, markets, sustainability and political framework provide a comprehensive picture of possible future developments. One highlight is the Innovation Award: after six pre-selected presentations, the audience will vote on the “Renewable Material of the Year 2023”.

Six Materials Nominated for the Innovation Award “Renewable Material of the Year 2023”

With the innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year 2023”, nova-Institute, as organiser, and Covestro, as sponsor, want to recognise particularly exciting and promising solutions that contribute to replacing fossil carbon from the ground. The call for submissions was answered by 30 companies. The advisory board and the nova experts had a hard time selecting the six most exciting and nominating them for the award.On the second day of the “Renewable Materials Conference”, 24 May in Siegburg/Cologne (Germany), the nominated companies will present their products and all 500+ conference participants will vote for the three winners on site and online.

During the three conference days, leading experts will present successful “drop-in” solutions that maintain the existing structure of the chemical industry but switch the carbon source from fossil to renewable carbon. At the same time, a new chemical industry is emerging with novel building blocks and polymers, with innovative processes for example from biotechnology and electrochemistry, and with entirely new functionalities. One special in-depth session will focus on furans, FDCA and PEF, the other on biodegradation of polymers such as PHA or PLA, PBAT and PBS. The almost final program is available!

The unique concept of presenting all renewable materials solutions at one event hits the mark: bio-based, CO2-based and recycled are the only alternatives to fossil-based chemicals and materials. After its successful second edition in the year 2022, the Renewable Materials Conference has established itself as one of the most important conferences for renewable materials worldwide.

Speakers from world-renowned companies, pioneering start-ups, high-profile research and high-level politics will present and discuss a wide range of innovative solutions based on biomass, CO2 and recycling in 80 presentations (main and parallel sessions), 20 panel discussions and several expert workshops. The Renewable Materials Conference is the very best place to catch up on the latest innovations and implementations in the field of renewable materials that will shape the future of entire industries.

More than 500 participants and 40 top-class exhibitors are expected at a new and perfectly suited location – the conference center “Rhein Sieg Forum” in Siegburg near Bonn and Cologne (Germany). A matchmaking area throughout the three days, long lunch breaks and three evening meeting points guarantee comprehensive and effective networking. Siegburg is located in the west of Germany and can be reached by international participants from France, Belgium and the Netherlands in just a few hours. The new location offers a large car park nearby and good connections to Frankfurt, Cologne and Düsseldorf airports via the German high-speed rail system.

Organiser
nova-Institut GmbH
Dominik Vogt
+49 2233 460 14 00
dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de
nova-institute.eu

WPC Door frames (Solid) – a product invented in India, for India.

It can be termed as the product invented in India. India has been using conventional solid wooden door frames for hundreds of years. A door frame that is popularly known as ‘Chaukhat (चौखट)’ is the base for hanging a door. Indian doors are used to be heavy in weight because of its making from solid wood. Taking from North to South and from East to West similar Chaukhats were in use.

In 2012 with an effort of developing replacement products from WPC HARDY SMITH and Plamadera from Ahmedabad, Gujarat worked for its design development with some Chinese Technology players. Initially Efforts went vanished but in second round we got success. We could design and make WPC solid door frame.

This was a new avtar of solid wooden door frame. It was working and totally working. It started penetrating the Indian market at grass route level. Indian construction companies (public & private sector both) started using this door frame made with polymer, wood and calcium. It was water proof and termite proof as well.

And today it has become a generic product being produced in more than 100 manufacturing lines in the country. These door frames are accepted by other countries in terms of design and countries like Turkey have started making this Indian designed Chaukhat today.

We are exporting these door frames as well.

25 Solid WPC Door frames can save one fully grown virgin tree.

Use WPC.
Save trees. Save earth.

A green initiative by HARDY SMITH 🇮🇳

WPC supports to the ecosystem. How?

  1. This is 100% recyclable material. As we are using Thermoplastic materials, all WPC can be recycled. We can reuse Virgin WPC repeatedly in 3 cycles. Thus against One Tonne of WPC, we can save 3 Tonnes of wood.
  2. It saves equivalent tonnage of wood. Usually wood has more than 50% moisture content in virgin/standing condition. So for making one tonne of dry usable wood we need Two tonnes of wood. Apart from that Round logs are cut to the usable shape and it creates a huge wastage. We use this west wood and agricultural residues for WPC product making.
  3. Wood logs to Wood panels (MDF/Particle/Plywood) uses huge quantity of water and energy. WPC board making doesn’t involve any consumption or wastage of water.
  4. For exterior we use recycle plastics as well from other resources. It is protecting the environment in a big way. More than equivalent quantity of wood/agro waste consumption also saves & help ecosystem from unnecessary carbon generation by their use as fuels.
  5. Entire process of making WPC is not damaging environment with any wastages/residues. No harmful chemicals or wastewater are coming out as extraction during the process. It is considered as a green manufacturing in some parts of the nation.
  6. This is a direct substitute of wood. Any substitute of natural resources are welcome in this era where whole world is worrying about Global warming.
  7. Everyone is just talking about planting trees and issues. But acting with one substitute of wood/Tree known as WPC is making a huge saving of virgin tree/forest cover.
  8. Today India is saving more than 13,00,000 trees per annum with Indian production of WPC. When we are talking in 2022 Christmas, more 20 production lines are being installed in India.

If we think Technically, WPC is absolutely as suitable and working substitute of natural wood in almost applications. We are forced to replace our old furniture by scraping them to waste or use as fuel. WPC gets recycled again. It’s life cycle in compared to conventional wooden furniture is much much longer in case of interiors.

WPC is a real substitute of natural wood, thus trees, thus forests.

WPC CENTRE – KOLHAPUR, Maharashtra.

Kolhapur is one of the known heritage cities of India. Well known for its pilgrimage places like Ambabai Mahalaxmi temple & Jyotiba temple, Kolhapur owns a beautiful landscape.

It is surrounded by hilly terrains that are naturally designed for landscape architecture like Resorts, Hill houses, Farmhouses, Villas & weekend homes. Well connected with roads all around, the city of Kolhapur is centrally & strategically located in Maharashtra. The Karnataka border is quite adjacent. Konkan and Goa are just neighbours to Kolhapur. Belgaum, Panji, Pune, Mahabaleshwar, Ratnagiri, Hubballi are the closest checkpoints, commercially.

ECOSMARTT Products & HARDY SMITH have envisioned to protect the Green environment with promotion and supply of WPC Green products, establishing a WPC CENTRE at Kolhapur. WPC CENTRE – KOLHAPUR is an exclusive 24*7 WPC product showcase demonstrating HARDYPLAST WPC exterior and interior products. HARDYPLAST being the leading WPC brand of the country is rigorously working since last 12 years on technology, products and applications of wood polymer composite products.

Architects, Designers, Landscapers, Builders, Infra companies, contractors, Carpenters & real estate tycoons can visit WPC CENTRE for large understanding of Green & Eco-friendly WPC products.

We request for prior appointments to enrich you with green time, together.

For more details about the product kindly visit www.HARDYPLAST.com. Email us on info@wpc-centre.com. WhatsApp us on +91-9879089323.

Look forward to creating a green future with increasing use of sustainable materials.

USE WPC.
Save tree. Save earth.

A green initiative by HARDY SMITH, India.

Termites & WPC – Opponents to each other. Termite attacks, WPC protects.

Termite attack is considered to be the most dangerous phenomenon to the entire furniture and wood applying systems anywhere in the property. Yours may be a luxurious villa with best quality treated wood based furniture, but termite can generate colonies there any day, without your knowledge. It may be a fiver star hotel rooms or may be a lavish farm house or may be a high rise apartment, termite can attack anywhere.

In Ahmedabad city we receive many clients those are majorly living in multi storey apartment. They come here for finding WPC materials, as their entire apartment at 14th floor has got termite. On his massive request I personally go and visit their property sometimes. What I see is the totally affected furniture and wood in the home with termite. They show me their Door frame, Door, Kitchen furniture, their wardrobes, bathroom furniture everything is attacked by termite. They ask me the reason for this issue and it always kept me silent, as I could not find any technical reason behind termite. Usually termites are developing their colonies inside the furniture body. They create large colonies by giving birth to baby termites in a mass. They move forward in narrow channels from the soil to the cable holes upto the terrace of the building. Where ever thy find holes or cracks, they create an eco-system for their survival.

Termites can unexpectedly explode from a tiny hole in a wall or a crack in cement creating a horrific scene for homeowners known as a termite swarm. The swarm is the emergence of large numbers of reproductive termites from a termite colony, usually in the spring when conditions are just right. These winged insects, brownish black and about the size of a grain of rice, surface in Kansas on a warm (around 80° F) afternoon usually after a rainy period. They emerge in large numbers, sometimes totalling hundreds of insects.

Years are going working with WPC products and many such guests we keep receive at HARDY SMITH WPC CENTRE complaining about termite issues. Farm house families come and complain that they had bought a new farm house last year and installed with wooden furniture of handsome investment. They were our for around 8 months to other country and when them come back, their entire furniture system is attacked by termite. This can be understood as they have a house built of a farm land. It can be considered as a sensitive area for termite attack. But when cases come from Apartment living people in 12th floor in Kolkata or 14th floor in Ahmedabad, it makes us wondered. Recently a team of architect visited WPC CENTRE for some material purchase. They were mentioning one incidence where their interior project was about to finish with total furniture at one Villa in the city. Covid Lock down announced and they had to hold their work for around 2.5 months. But when they opened up the property again after 2.5 months, what they could see is ‘Termite everywhere’. In a short period of just 2.5 months it vanished the wooden furniture.

Several questions were arising about termite attack like,

  • Is the pattern of termite being changed for growth?
  • Do they face any discrepancies with their gens?
  • Why have termites become so aggressive?
  • Are there flying termites prevailed?

Since 2011 we have been working on WPC product, technology and market development. Hundreds of people we have met and discussed about the potential of WPC against termite and moisture attacks. Many carpenters and architects we have been meeting since more than a decade now. Termite behaviour has been a topic of discussion on a regular interval.

One major input out of these meetings is the pattern of growth for termites are changed and have become aggressive. The time was too long before for appearing termites in furniture. It was in years. But now it has started appearing in days! It has become a subject of research, as there can be a genetic discrepancy because of overall climate change and weather.

Based on the market feedbacks, experiences of carpenters and architects and redevelopers we have come to know about ‘Flying termites’. They prevail as per the information received and they take freedom of wings for starting their colonies on high rise apartment floors. Cases of 14th floor and 18th floor furniture system attack by termite can be related to this type of termite.

Termite swarm is caused when a mature termite colony develops reproductives, little bit like baby termites, that are released with a temporary set of wings, hence many people notice after a swarm there are hundreds of little wings lying everywhere. This is because, they are not great fliers & designed to be released from a high spot & catch the breeze. The ones that are lucky enough to survive will dig into soil & create a new termite colony. That being said, don’t let the fact that most flying termites die within about 24 hours of taking off reassure you. By the time you’ve noticed them, a mature and well-established nest has been built in the area — perhaps for years.

Flying termites exists because they are spreading out in an attempt to make nests of their own. This leads us to yet another negative point, namely that flying termites who find mates can live for more than a decade, creating thriving colonies whose primary occupation lies in eating wood, wood, and even more wood. That can translate into immense damage to your structure.

Termites aren’t exactly diurnal or nocturnal. Rather, temperature does more to regulate their behaviour. Termites typically remain most active when temperatures stay above 21 degrees Celsius and rarely dip below 15 degrees Celsius. This means that termites tend to cause problems during spring and summer, although they can technically remain active during any time of the year. Now you can imagine the weather like India where Delta of Temperatures moves between 5 degree Celsius to 55 degree Celsius.

Considering this overall situation of termite’s growth and sensitivity we see WPC Board as a medicinal product for making furniture in India. Becoming a polymeric structure WPC Board cannot be eaten by termites, thus they cannot survive for a long. They cannot create colonies with reproductive cycle as they do not have food to it in WPC. There is no moisture accumulation, thus termite cannot find a comfortable eco-system for colony development and survival. Wood has natural fibers those can be used as food by termites but Polymer cannot be used.

All above facts and information derives a typical conclusion that termites are becoming more aggressive with their growth pattern in Indian atmosphere. They are not being controlled even by chemical treatments and they reappear very soon now. If WPC boards, WPC Door frames, WPC Doors are used termite problem can be effectively controlled and resolved.

HARDY SMITH, India.
21.07.2022

Addressing the issue of microplastics.

There are 500 times more microplastics in the world than stars in our galaxy, a clear sign that the plastic pollution epidemic has spun out of control. Roughly two-thirds of all plastic ever produced remains in the environment today, most of it in in the form of microplastics.

Humans now generate nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, 60% of which end up in our natural environment. Plastics do not break down, but they can degrade in quality and turn into smaller pieces – microplastics.

More than 51 trillion microplastic particles litter the world’s seas, 500 times the number of stars in our galaxy.

Some of the biggest sources of microplastics include cigarette butts, tea bags and synthetic clothing, accounting for 35% of the total primary microplastic pollution. You will be shocked to know that the biggest source of Microplastics are ‘Synthetic clothes’. With every wash of these clothes thousands of microplastics get drained into water. This water flows up to the sea!

Fruits like apples and pears have the highest content of microplastics. They accumulate microplastics through uptake from microplastic-contaminated water or soil. While broccoli and carrots are usually the most contaminated vegetables.

Microplastics contain highly toxic and harmful chemicals such as flame retardants and UV stabilizers. Plastic debris accumulating in the ocean absorbs persistent organic pollutants (POPs), from the water which have been found to have critical adverse health effects.

It is nearly impossible to avoid microplastics altogether, and yet there are effective ways to reduce their spread and the risk of ingesting them. Increased use of Cotton clothes, by upgrading our comfort zone can also help at a large against microplastics from synthetic clothes.

Here comes the use of recyclable plastics those are sizable to handle and control for the wastages. Use of plastics cannot be avoided as it is life saving as well in applications. But material like WPC that is made with waste plastics and waste wood/agri residues should be promoted. This material is directly saving natural wood from virgin trees. Fine dust of cutting also is accumulated via dust collectors on the line and sent back for the reuse.

It is the time where we need to control the use of microplastics going up to ocean..

Hardik Panchal
Editor, WPC NEWS.

(Content Gratitude: Earth.org)

7th Annual sustainability summit 2022

7th Annual Sustainability Summit is organised with the theme “Accelerating Sustainability transition through COP – 26”. The summit will be held from April 08-09 at XIM University’s new campus in hybrid mode.

The four themes for the panel discussions on Day 1 (April-8) are as follows:

Panel discussion 1: “Carbon capture, Energy Security, and Net Zero – the way forward.”(Online)
Panel discussion 2: “Addressing the “Triple Burden” of climate change, conflict, malnutrition & wellbeing.”(Offline)
Panel discussion 3: “Cleantech – fostering Sustainable Entrepreneurship – Local Start-up journey” (Offline)
Panel discussion 4: Cleantech – fostering Sustainable Entrepreneurship – Global Start-up journey'(Online)

On the 2nd day (April-9) of the summit, we will have a young practitioners award ceremony where an individual sustainability champion will be presented with the award. Many industry experts, heads of academic and research institutions will be participating in the summit.

Venue: School of Sustainability, Xavier University, Bhubaneswar, India.

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History of WPC in India & role of HARDY SMITH.

When it comes to use for natural material floors till date ‘Natural Wood’ was the only option to consider. But use of Natural wood has been in the form of solid wood planks which was forcing virgin trees to be cut in volumes. Till date Billions of tonnes of Natural wood has been used by Construction conglomerates at the cost of Natural forests.

Today whole world is desperate for increasing the use of Sustainable Substitutes for Natural materials/resources. We know all the global movements for EVs, Solar, Wind, Hydrogen etc and its momentum today.

A spiritual thought in the same line was knocked to the mind of Mr Hardy Panchal during 2010 based on his versatile travels and assignments with Wood Industry. He was a Polymer technocrat and MBA from Gujarat University to be later known as the WPC Man of India. He decided to brought WPC (wood polymer composite) subject to India to make the country a ‘Hub for WPC manufacturing’. With his vision he really could do this in 2011 with the first WPC making unit confirmed under HARDY SMITH technology consultants.

HARDY SMITH evolved as a WPC Technology and Business consulting firm dedicated for developments of WPC products and markets in India. Since then WPC and India are marching strongly ahead. Today Public and Private sector companies are using WPC materials for their largescale projects. Whole game was started with WPC mother board manufacturing and since then a huge range of different products kept being added.

HARDY SMITH and Mr Hardy has been the most instrumental in developing newer products and applications for India and other countries. HARDYPLAST has been a product brand from the group. With strong business co-operations for technology and products in Gujarat, HARDYPLAST WPC is being produced at more than 12 manufacturing units.

WPC CENTRE by HARDY SMITH is a sincere effort for establishing showcase based franchise network exclusively for WPC products in India and Globally. This is a franchise chain being developed for promoting, showcasing and supplying largest number of WPC products from single stations.

WPC NEWS is a global networking platform for technology and markets for wood polymer composites, being operated by HARDY SMITH. It helps encouraging manufacturing, new players, newer applications, education for WPC materials and technology.

WPC is becoming an absolute substitute of natural wood in different forms like WPC Boards, Doors, Frames, Windows, Partitions, Floors, Wall panels, Pergolas, Furniture, Fencing, decorative grills etc. India has been the most instrumental in developing largest applications in the world and credit goes to HARDY SMITH as a dedicated WPC mother brand.

With that vision for developing this subject and application markets, Mr Hardy could facilitate the Industry at his best that has lead the nation to produce WPC in a noticeable volume today.

India is saving more than One Million Virgin trees every year.

USE WPC.
Save trees. Save earth.

‘Reuse – Reduce – Recycle – Recreate’
A green initiative by HARDY SMITH, India.

Sustainable product – WPC

Today entire world is rigorously looking for substitute products of natural resources. Whole world has seen a big calamity caused by the nature and green house gases in Germany, Europe recently. Country like india is behind Solar and Electric Vehicles and government is trying it’s best. Similar way globally many countries are cautious now for increasing the use of substitute products including Power, Fuel and materials. Green, recyclable and biodegradable products are the future of the world.

But most important point is – ‘Substitute products should be sustainable.‘ All governance of the world is little to moderate is trying to accept green, recyclable products but the focus should be on sustainability as well. Sustainable product means – A product has some inherent properties those lead for a longer life span for it. It should not require to be replaced in a shorter life span that leads more material usage and more waste generated. Sustainable product with longer life span saves materials, maintenance cost and operational cost.

Being into wood industry since nearly about 2 decades I have seen an exaggerated use of natural resources wood. Standing trees and forests are being cut for timber those are actually natural products. Once cut there are no effective plantation practices to replace those lose by public or private sector. Further natural wood is absolutely a product from the mother nature just like a human body. It has a tendency of act as an earth element, thus it will grip & leave moisture. It will decay, it will be corroded and it termites also can eat them. So, these are the regular phenomenon happens with wood and allied products, despite of it’s highly agitating with chemical & temperature treatments. Thus wood can never be a sustainable product for years and it needs several maintenances, replacements and finally it creates wastages on the earth. Chemicals used for converting them into panels are also not bio-degradable and Emission zero grade so that is an another serious problem as well.

Amongst all these a product named as Wood polymer composite, popularly known as WPC has created a space in the application markets. In my experience, WPC can be termed as a real sustainable product in the crowd of furniture materials. I have been continuously traveling across the globe for exploring newer materials for wood industry. I have always tried to get something extraordinary that can change the face of the industry as a whole. Being a Polymer Engineer I have got a chance to see, evaluate and mobilize wood and polymer technologies, hand in hand. WPC is one that was found outstanding having more potential than other sustainable products.

Before entering the WPC technology space I was used to get engaged with MDF, Particle, OSB and Modular furniture technology fields. We were installing turnkey projects for these panels and i was not happy with the use of bulk and bulk of woods being crushed there. As a substitute we were trying for bagasse waste but that was also not a sustainable composition. Industry was just moving based on the expanding market needs of panels. At that time we had never thought of replacing of natural wood and allied products with some other sustainable products. I was closely conversing for some developments with Dieffenbacher, Siemelkamp, Metso, Andritz, Pallman, Homag like major global players. Across the journey I was meeting with polymer giants like Battenfeld-Cincinati, Reifenhauser, Bausano for discussing the potential and possibilities of wood substitute products. Our of all the thought was seriously coming up for Wood polymer composite as a power product for the industry, replacing wood use and wood applications.

WPC is a real sustainable product against wooden products. It is giving you a natural advantage of being a Polymer derivative. If you visit our office at Ahmedabad, it is built with total WPC panels and with just zero wood/panels. We have not even used Screws for building the overall layout. This material can be termed as plug and play material for joinery. Being totally termite and water proof, you do not need to worry about future issues of maintenance. If used indoor it has a too long life compare to wooden materials. Further we have used water based green certified paints from Rhenocoll, germany those take very few hours to get dried. They have developed speciality paints for PVC/uPVC based systems and it fits best with the recyclable WPC materials.

WPC is a truly eco-friendly material with it’s usage pattern. It is 100% recyclable and can be recycle atleast 2-3 times in it’s life cycle. We are working on developing Bio-degradable WPC materials and we have strong hopes for bringing those soon. In final words I say, sustainability of earth matters and we are concerned for that.

by Hardik Panchal
HARDY SMITH, India.