The Hindu Business Line : Clay pipe industry looks at new opportunities to survive

Hyderabad, June 25 It is a do-or-die situation for the Rs 480-crore clay pipe (stoneware pipe) industry in the country. Despite the unbeatable advantage of longevity, particularly in the sewerage systems, the industry is struggling to survive.

“It faces two major challenges of developing longer pipes and sealings with longer life period,” Mr R.P. Trivikram, President of All India Stoneware Pipe Manufacturers’ Association, told Business Line.

Considered till recently to be a rural and small-scale activity, the industry sees huge opportunity with more and more cities and towns going for underground sewerage systems.

Upgradation

“We have woken up to huge opportunity and decided to innovate to tap that opportunity. The clay pipes or stoneware pipes are found to be resistant to corrosion,” he said.

There are about 150 manufacturers in the country with a total production capacity of six lakh tonnes (with each tonne of clay pipes costing Rs 4,000). “But look at the opportunity. It is estimated that the country currently needs 12 lakh tonnes,” he said. Mr Trivikram, who was here recently to attend a national meet of the association, pointed out that the industry needed to tackle the issues of length and better quality joints. “The shorter the pipes the more number of joints. Though clay pipes offer the best longevity, it is the sealing part (made of cement) that could spoil the systems early,” he said.

Realising this, the industry has started looking at international technologies. “For one, we have tied up with Keramo Steinzeng of Belgium to offer rubber sealings. These sealing solutions offer longevity in excess of 50 years,” he said.

“The new technology will be used in the Bangalore Megacity sewer line project,” he said.

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