Industry Leaders Call for Policy Boost and Stronger BIS Standards to Drive India’s Polyurethane Growth

At the UTECH India Leadership Dialogue, experts highlighted the role of polyurethane in green infrastructure and called for robust regulations and innovation support.

Industry leaders convened at the Leadership Dialogue ahead of the 2nd edition of UTECH India – Sustainable Polyurethane & Foam (ISPUF) Expo, emphasizing the urgent need for policy reforms, stronger BIS norms, and innovation-driven growth to globalize India’s polyurethane (PU) sector. Centered on the theme “Transforming PU Applications, Insulation & Cold Storage Solutions,” the dialogue explored how sustainable PU, foam, and insulation technologies can reshape India’s construction and manufacturing landscape.

Jointly organized by Crain Communications and Media Fusion, the UTECH India Expo—co-located with the Sleep Expo India Pavilion—remains the country’s only platform dedicated to the polyurethane, foam, and insulation sectors.

PU as a Catalyst for Sustainable Construction and Energy Efficiency

The dialogue underscored polyurethane’s pivotal role in enhancing energy-efficient buildings, cold storage, and prefabricated construction systems.
Industry experts, including Mr. Abasaheb Kale (pdkASM Consulting), Mr. Hitesh Parmar (REALM Intermediates), Mr. Narendra Modi (Gujarat Planning & Infrastructure), and Mr. Prashant Deshmukh (Prashant Deshmukh Projects), discussed strategies to accelerate the adoption of sustainable insulation and panel technologies in India.

Mr. Abasaheb Kale, Managing Director, pdkASM Consulting, highlighted that “the rising demand for dry and fast construction methods is reshaping India’s infrastructure sector. With the government mandating 25% prefabricated components in projects, metal sandwich panels have become key to achieving speed, sustainability, and thermal comfort.” He added that wider adoption across commercial and residential spaces is crucial to address energy consumption and climate challenges.

Sandwich Panels Driving India’s Green Infrastructure

Industry leaders pointed to sandwich panels as game-changers for energy efficiency, fire safety, and sustainable construction.
Mr. Prashant Deshmukh, Founder & Principal Architect, Prashant Deshmukh Projects, predicted a “golden phase” for the segment: “India’s construction industry is witnessing a shift toward quality and sustainability, with sandwich panels becoming integral to modern building systems. Fire-rated panels will set new benchmarks for safety and performance.”

Mr. Badruddin Sudanwala, National Business Development Manager, ROCKWOOL, emphasized that “the sandwich panel industry is growing rapidly as one of the most energy-efficient and sustainable alternatives to conventional construction.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Nitin Kolekar, Director, Aryanvi PU Solutions, highlighted that “UTECH provides an excellent platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, driving innovation and alignment with sustainability standards across the PU and insulation industries.”

The Policy Push for Global Competitiveness

Speakers called for stronger government support, R&D investments, and updated BIS standards to make India a global hub for polyurethane and foam technologies.

Mr. Abhay V. Udeshi, Chairman, Jayant Agro-Organics Ltd, said, “India’s PU and foam sector has immense potential to become a global hub for sustainable solutions. By strengthening BIS norms, investing in technology upgrades for MSMEs, and aligning policies with initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and PLI schemes, India can enhance competitiveness and self-reliance.”

Mr. Anup Dhave, Head, Metecno Asia BV, noted, “Despite progress under Make in India and renewable energy initiatives, outdated BIS standards and the absence of a certifying body continue to limit innovation. Modernizing BIS 12436 and improving waste management are essential for global competitiveness.”

Mr. Sanjay Gupta, President, IFCOMA, added that “India’s PU and foam industry stands at a transformative stage, with sustainability, policy alignment, and innovation driving growth across footwear, construction, and automotive sectors.”

Market Momentum and Future Outlook

According to Mr. Taher Patrawala, Managing Director, Media Fusion, “As India advances toward becoming a global manufacturing hub, polyurethane is emerging as a key enabler of sustainability and innovation.” The India Sandwich Panel Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.07%, reaching USD 1,039.32 million by FY2032 from USD 558.61 million in FY2024.

The broader prefabricated composite sandwich panel market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% (2025–2035), doubling from USD 6,797.3 million to USD 13,623.3 million. These panels already represent 8% of India’s building materials market and 12% of prefabricated components, reflecting their growing importance in sustainable infrastructure.

The dialogue set the foundation for strategic collaboration, technological advancement, and policy alignment, which will shape discussions at UTECH India 2025, scheduled for November 13–15, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, NESCO, Mumbai.