UTECH India 2025 Leadership Dialogue Highlights Green Growth

The road to a greener environment in India has gained significant momentum following an exclusive Leadership Dialogue that served as the precursor to the 2nd edition of UTECH INDIA – Sustainable Polyurethane & Foam (ISPUF) Expo. The dialogue, themed “Transforming PU Applications, Insulation & Cold Storage Solutions,” brought together key industry leaders to strategize on advancing sustainable polyurethane (PU), foam, and insulation solutions ahead of the main event scheduled for November 13–15, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, NESCO, Mumbai.

Organised by Crain Communications and Media Fusion, the UTECH India Expo, alongside the Sleep Expo India Pavilion, is positioned as India’s only dedicated platform for these crucial sectors.

Setting the Tone for Innovation and Sustainable Construction

The Leadership Dialogue held at Mumbai highlighted the critical role of polyurethane in advancing energy-efficient construction and cold storage infrastructure. Discussions focused on sustainable construction, sandwich panel innovations, and crucial market growth opportunities.

The session featured key dignitaries, including Mr. Abasaheb Kale, Managing Director, pdkASM Consulting, Mr. Hitesh Parmar, Managing Director, REALM Intermediates, Mr. Narendra Modi, General Manager, Planning & Coordination, Gujarat Planning & Infrastructure, Mr. Prashant Deshmukh, Principal Architect, Prashant Deshmukh Projects, Mr. Ruchir Panwar, Principal Architect, e3+A Designs, Mr. Shailesh Patwardhan, Director, Arnita Consultants, Mr. Suunil Dabral, Senior Vice President & Regional Head – Asia Pacific, Koerber Supply Chain, and Mr. Vivek Savla, Director, Savla Foods & Cold Storage.

Mr. Abasaheb Kale, Managing Director, pdkASM Consulting, emphasized the shifting landscape, stating, “The increasing emphasis on dry and fast construction methods is reshaping India’s infrastructure landscape. With the government mandating 25% prefabricated components in upcoming projects, metal sandwich panels have emerged as a key solution to meet the need for speed, sustainability, and thermal comfort. While these panels have long been used effectively in cold chains and industrial facilities, their adoption in commercial and residential buildings remains limited. Given rising ambient temperatures and growing concerns about energy and water consumption, it is crucial to embrace sustainable dry construction technologies.”

The Rise of Sandwich Panels in Green Infrastructure

Industry experts underscored the growing importance of sandwich panels for their energy efficiency, fire safety, and role in creating resilient infrastructure.

Mr. Prashant Deshmukh, Founder & Principal Architect, Prashant Deshmukh Projects Pvt. Ltd, projected a 'golden phase' for the sector. He said “India’s construction landscape is entering a golden phase where the adoption of sandwich panels will see significant growth, driven by the industry’s increasing focus on quality, efficiency, and sustainability. The development of fire-rated sandwich panels will further enhance the sector’s readiness for modern building requirements.”

Mr. Badruddin Sudanwala, National Business Development Manager, ROCKWOOL, noted the rapid expansion of the sector and said “The sandwich panel industry in India is witnessing rapid growth, driven by its role as one of the most energy-efficient, fire-safe, and sustainable alternatives to conventional construction systems. Prefabricated panel solutions are increasingly shaping India’s green and resilient infrastructure landscape.”

Echoing this, Mr. Nitin Kolekar, Director at Aryanvi PU Solutions, highlighted the event's importance, He said, “UTECH is providing an excellent opportunity for stakeholders in the sandwich panel and insulation industry to showcase innovations and exchange ideas. As the sector gains long-overdue recognition, discussions around sustainability, fire safety, and industry standards are becoming increasingly vital to driving responsible growth. With rising awareness and stronger regulatory alignment, the industry is poised for steady expansion, guided by a focus on safety, quality, and environmental performance.”

Mr. Kunal Karad, from EPACK Prefab Technologies, stressed the panel’s utility across industries, “Sandwich panels play a vital role across industries such as pharmaceuticals, construction, and cold storage — ensuring temperature control, moisture resistance, and structural strength with faster installation. Platforms like this dialogue help us understand emerging industry requirements and drive innovation to better serve sectors that rely on high-performance insulation and sustainable infrastructure.”

Addressing Policy, Standards, and Global Competitiveness

Advisors provided a holistic view on the challenges and opportunities for the Indian PU and foam industry, calling for stronger policy support and standardization.

Mr. Abhay V. Udeshi, Chairman, Jayant Agro-Organics Ltd, emphasized the need for self-reliance and R&D and said “India’s PU and Foam industry holds immense potential to become a global hub for advanced and sustainable polyurethane solutions. With policy alignment under initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, PLI schemes, and Green Building Codes, the sector is steadily moving towards energy-efficient and environmentally responsible manufacturing. By addressing raw material dependency, enforcing stronger Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms, and encouraging technology upgrades for MSMEs, India can accelerate its journey towards self-reliance, sustainability, and global competitiveness.”

Mr. Anup Dhave, Head, Metecno Asia BV, pointed out the gap in standards, “India’s PU/PIR insulated panel industry is progressing under initiatives like Make in India and the renewable energy drive, yet the lack of a dedicated certifying body and outdated BIS standards continue to limit innovation. Addressing challenges such as scrap disposal, high freight costs, and obsolete BIS 12436 norms will enhance competitiveness.” Mr. Dave said.

Mr. Sanjay Gupta, President, Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA), linked the sector to global trends, “The Indian PU and foam industry stands at a pivotal juncture, driven by the need for sustainable systems, policy support, and global competitiveness. Globally, India is advancing with innovations like nano-structured and hybrid release agents. Over the next decade, significant growth is expected across footwear, construction, and automotive sectors propelled by sustainability, energy efficiency, and lightweight, high-performance materials.”

Market Momentum and Future Outlook

The market data presented by the organizers confirms the sector's robust trajectory. Mr. Taher Patrawala, Managing Director, Media Fusion, summarized the growth potential. He said, “As India accelerates its vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub, polyurethane is emerging as a key enabler of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. The India Sandwich Panel Market, projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.07% from USD 558.61 million in FY2024 to USD 1,039.32 million by FY2032, reflects this strong momentum. Platforms like UTECH India play a pivotal role in advancing these conversations.”

The broader prefabricated composite sandwich panels market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% between 2025 and 2035, expanding from USD 6,797.3 million to USD 13,623.3 million. These panels currently account for approximately 8% of the overall building materials market and 12% of the prefabricated building components market, signaling their escalating importance in modern, sustainable construction across India’s infrastructure, commercial, and residential sectors.

The Leadership Dialogue successfully set the tone for strategic collaboration, innovation, and policy alignment, all of which will form the core agenda of the upcoming UTECH INDIA 2025 event. The event is India’s only dedicated platform for sustainable polyurethane, foam, mattresses, and insulation solutions, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, industry leaders, and innovators under one roof.