Review of the 1st Indian AAC Conference

The idea for this conference originated from Indian AAC industry leaders who had participated in previous European and International AAC conferences. Their vision to establish a similar knowledge-sharing platform in India finally materialized, with participation exceeding expectations – demonstrating the industry's enthusiasm and commitment to collective growth.

Opening Address

The conference commenced with an inspiring keynote speech by Sourabh Bansal, National Convener of IAACPA and Managing Director of Magicrete. He highlighted the transformational potential of the AAC industry in India, reflecting on its remarkable evolution over the past decade. From just five factories in 2010, the industry has expanded to over 250, making India a key player in the global AAC market with an annual production of nearly 30 million cubic meters – a 30-fold increase in just 15 years. Despite this rapid growth, AAC blocks still account for less than 10% of the overall brick market, indicating substantial untapped potential. Bansal emphasized the need for technological advancements, policy advocacy, and sustainability initiatives to accelerate AAC adoption.

Key Sessions and Discussions

The conference agenda, curated by Technical Co-Chairs Sidharth Bansal and Mukund Joshi, featured expert presentations and panel discussions covering cutting-edge technological, sustainability, and market insights. Some highlights of the lecture sessions are listed below.

·       100 Years of AAC and The Net Zero Roadmap, presented (online) by Mr. Robert Turski (CEO, Xella Poland & President, EAACA) - provided a historical perspective on AAC’s evolution and its role in achieving net-zero emissions.

·       Historical Perspective & Future Outlook of the Chinese AAC Industry, presented by Mr. Stephen Shen & Mr. Liew Han-Young (China Aerated Concrete Association - explored China’s AAC market development, best practices, and lessons applicable to India.

·       Global AAC Industry Overview, presented by Mr. Michael von Ahlen (Editor-in-Chief, AAC Worldwide) - highlighted global trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of the AAC industry.

·       Seismic Behavior of Reinforced AAC Panels, presented by Mr. Siddharth Sharma (Magicrete, India) - discussed AAC’s structural performance in earthquake-prone regions, focusing on reinforced AAC panels.

·       Shear and Flexural Behavior of AAC Masonry with Fiber-Reinforced Cement Matrix, presented by Dr. Vaibhav Singhal (IIT Patna, India) - explored enhancements to AAC’s mechanical properties for improved structural performance.

·       Reducing Breakage in AAC Plants, presented by Mr. Mukund Joshi (AAC India Institute, India) - provided practical solutions to minimize material loss and improve production efficiency.

·       Market Expansion Strategies, presented by Mr. Tolga Öztoprak (Independent Consultant, Türkiye) - focused on scaling AAC adoption, optimizing supply chains, and expanding into new markets.

·       AAC Experience in Egypt, presented by Mr Mattias Sjoberg (Plena Group, United Kingdom) - shared his long-term experiences in the market growth and challenges in Egypt.

Panel Discussions

Two panel discussions provided in-depth insights into the current landscape and future trajectory of the AAC industry.

·       Challenges and Opportunities in Expanding the AAC Industry in India Moderated by Nitin Lalwani: This panel discussion featured industry leaders including Sourabh Bansal (Magicrete), Vijay Lahoti (HIL Limited), P. Selvasundaram (Renacon), Uttam Patel (Ecogreen), Mohit Saboo (Bigbloc), and Sujeet Jha (JK Laxmi). Topics covered: market penetration, regulatory challenges, and the need for standardized quality.

·       Innovation in AAC Manufacturing - AI, Automation, and Sustainability Moderated by Mukund Joshi: This panel discussion featured experts such as Ralf Beier (Aircrete Europe), Andreas Markiewicz (Masa WhiteHub), and Sidharth Bansal (Magicrete), Mrugesh Shah (Forbes Marshal), Venkata Ratnam (Buildmate) and Amin Gupta (Thirumala). Topics covered: AI integration, automation, energy optimization, and sustainable manufacturing practices.

Numerous presentations by sponsors also contributed significantly to the value of this conference. These included presentations from Keda Suremaker (Platinum Sponsor), Runding and The Arasan Aluminium Industries Ltd (both Gold Sponsors), Buildmate, Masa WhiteHub, Aircrete Europe, Laxmi and Olymspan (all Silver Sponsors).

Further sponsors were Teeyer (session sponsor), Powerol (kit sponsor) and Modi Group (Gala Dinner sponsor).

Closing Remarks & Future Vision

The conference concluded with an inspiring address by Sidharth Bansal, Technical Co-Chair of IAACPA, who proclaimed, “India has arrived in the AAC industry!” Reflecting on the journey from attending European and International AAC conferences to hosting India’s own landmark event, he emphasized three key initiatives:

1)     Establishing eight regional chapters for continuous industry collaboration.

2)     Forming technical and regulatory bodies to work with government agencies and double the market size within five years.

3)     Creating a task force to address safety and quality concerns.

A central theme throughout the conference was the AAC industry’s role in environmental sustainability. Traditional brick manufacturing is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions, comparable to the steel and cement industries. In contrast, AAC provides a greener alternative by significantly reducing the carbon footprint. India’s AAC manufacturers primarily use fly ash (95% of production), positioning the industry as a crucial player in the country’s circular economy. With India generating nearly 250 million tons of fly ash annually, AAC plants are now the second-largest consumers of this byproduct, following the cement industry.

Conclusion

The 1^st Indian AAC Conference was more than just an event – it was a defining moment for India’s AAC industry. It highlighted the sector’s resilience, growth potential, and collective ambition to make AAC the preferred choice for sustainable construction. The overwhelming response and valuable discussions set the stage for future collaborations, innovations, and policy advancements, ensuring continued success and expansion of the AAC industry in India.

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