FACT-RCF to ink deal with Tata Housing

Gypsum-based wall/roof building panel and plaster maker FACT-RCF Building Products Ltd. (FRBPL) is expecting to ink a contract with Tata Housing for supplying its products, a top company official has said.

He also said individuals are now looking at the gypsum panels for building their homes and the company is popularising the product among architects, builders and others.

"The negotiations are on with Tata Housing. We hope to conclude the negotiations soon and ink the deal," C.P. Dinesh, managing director of FRBPL told IANS here Thursday.

The company is a 50:50 joint venture between Kochi-based Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd. and Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilisers Ltd (RCF) to make glass fibre reinforced gypsum (GFRG) panels for building projects.

Dinesh said their plant in Kerala has a capacity of 1.4 million sq.mtr per annum and started production in 2012.

According to Dinesh, Tata Housing is planning to construct ground plus four buildings and need GFRG panels in large numbers.

He said around Rs.150 crore has been invested by the two promoters in the project.

"We are looking at government, educational institutions and other mass housing projects. Meanwhile, we are getting orders from individuals," Dinesh said.

In Kerala, a 2,500 sq.ft house was built in 60 days using our panels, he said.

"Currently, our order book position is around 27,000 sq.mtrs. We also offer project management consultancy services," he said.

According to him, buildings constructed with GRFG panels would offer construction cost advantage of around 20 percent.

"In addition, the panels would occupy less footprint there by increasing the carpet area for usage. Painting costs will also be less as the walls will not absorb paints like the conventional brick walls," Dinesh said.

Australian company Rapid Building Systems has provided the technology for wall panels and the Indian Institute of Technology - Madras have developed the technology for using GRFG panels for building roofs, he added.

Gypsum is an industrial waste from fertiliser units which is being sought to be used for construction.