The seminar saw 67 attendees from various multi-national and Indian construction chemical companies. Attendees included top 3 cement companies, top 5 paint companies and top 10 dry mix mortar manufacturers. Technical heads were present from 48 companies, and R&D team from companies such as Asian Paints, Ultratech Cement, MYK Laticrete, FOSROC, Pidilite, Walplast products, Berger Paints, MAPEI, Bostik, ACC Cement, Madras Cements etc.

Chirag Shah, Director, Broadways Chemtech LLP, introducing the company said that the 16-year-old family-run speciality chemical distributor is focused on developing specialty products for the construction, chemicals, paints, epoxy, waterproofing and filtration industries. It was the first company to introduce an independent testing lab in India with a tie-up with Setsco of Sinagpore. The company also introduced application of machine-based plaster in India. "Broadways is providing collaborative technical know-how of its principal companies to Indian manufacturers to help them develop high-quality products. In fact, it is committed to bringing relevant chemical technology that is suited and even customized to the needs of the Indian market, and thereby, bridging the technology divide between the developed world and developing countries like India," he said.
Dr. Gregor introduced BASF - one of the largest chemical manufacturing company in the world, operating in approx.. 350 sites, globally. Its portfolio consists of verticals such as Chemicals, Material, Industrial solution, Nutrition, Agriculture, Construction etc. The company focuses on developing innovative chemistry for a sustainable future.
Dr. Sebastian presented new products and technologies which can be used to produce modern Dry mix Mortars (based on Cement and gypsum system) via multiple technical presentations. His technical presentations took into account Indian conditions, standards, applications, Temperature, Relative Humidity, Cement Quality, Hand or Machine application, etc. The products and their applications are listed in Table 1.
Product | Application |
MELFLUX & MELMENT High-performance superplasticizer (PCE and SMF) |
Industrial grouts, Micro-concrete, SLFC |
HYCON Hydration control additives based on C-S-H seeds technology |
Road Repair Mortar, SLFC |
STARVIS S Super Absorbent Polymers |
Self-curing plasters, Tiles adhesives, Repair Mortars |
DECORR Nano-technology based anti-corrosive additives (Heavy Metal Free) |
Coatings based on multiple resin and binder systems (Epoxy, PU, Acrylic) |
VINAPOR New generation air entraining agents. |
Cementitious Renders, Gypsum plasters |
MELFLUX SELECT Tailor Made Superplasticisers - The Melflux Select concept |
Binary binder system based Self levelling flooring |
STARVIS |
Self-levelling underlayment (SLU), SLFC, Precision grouts |
KELCOCRETE Diutan gum based Bio-polymers |
|
MICROFIBRIL Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibres for anti-cracking properties |
Micro-concrete, Repair mortars |
The interactive event saw the audience seeking more information on the products and technologies and sharing new ideas with the speakers. Seeing the appreciation and active participation of the audience, it was decided to conduct joint technical projects between BASF/Broadways and the Indian Dry-Mix Mortar producers to take the industry forward.