India’s journey toward a sustainable environment gained strong momentum following an exclusive Leadership Dialogue, held as a precursor to the second edition of UTECH INDIA – Sustainable Polyurethane & Foam (ISPUF) Expo. The dialogue, themed “Transforming PU Applications, Insulation & Cold Storage Solutions,” convened top industry leaders to strategize on advancing sustainable polyurethane (PU), foam, and insulation technologies ahead of the main event, scheduled for November 13–15, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, NESCO, Mumbai.
Organized by Crain Communications and Media Fusion, UTECH India, alongside the Sleep Expo India Pavilion, serves as India’s only dedicated platform for PU, foam, and insulation solutions, connecting stakeholders across manufacturing, supply, and innovation sectors.
Driving Innovation in Sustainable Construction
The Leadership Dialogue highlighted the transformative role of polyurethane in energy-efficient construction and cold storage infrastructure. Experts discussed sustainable construction practices, sandwich panel innovations, and market growth opportunities.
Key speakers included:
*Abasaheb Kale, Managing Director, pdkASM Consulting
*Hitesh Parmar, Managing Director, REALM Intermediates
*Narendra Modi, GM, Planning & Coordination, Gujarat Planning & Infrastructure
*Prashant Deshmukh, Principal Architect, Prashant Deshmukh Projects
*Ruchir Panwar, Principal Architect, e3+A Designs
*Shailesh Patwardhan, Director, Arnita Consultants
*Suunil Dabral, SVP & Regional Head – APAC, Koerber Supply Chain
*Vivek Savla, Director, Savla Foods & Cold Storage
*Abasaheb Kale stressed, “With government mandates requiring 25% prefabricated components in upcoming projects, metal sandwich panels are emerging as a key solution for speed, sustainability, and thermal comfort. While widely used in cold chains and industrial facilities, their adoption in commercial and residential buildings remains limited. Sustainable dry construction technologies are essential to address rising energy and water consumption concerns.”
Sandwich Panels: Driving Energy-Efficient and Resilient Infrastructure
Industry leaders emphasized the growing role of sandwich panels in green construction for their energy efficiency, fire safety, and structural resilience. Prashant Deshmukh described, “India’s construction industry is entering a golden phase. The adoption of sandwich panels is set to grow rapidly, driven by a focus on quality, efficiency, and sustainability. The development of fire-rated panels will further strengthen the sector’s readiness for modern building requirements.”
Badruddin Sudanwala, National Business Development Manager, ROCKWOOL, added, “Sandwich panels are among the most energy-efficient, fire-safe, and sustainable alternatives to conventional construction systems. Prefabricated solutions are increasingly shaping India’s green and resilient infrastructure.”
Nitin Kolekar, Director, Aryanvi PU Solutions, highlighted, “UTECH provides an excellent platform for stakeholders to showcase innovations and exchange ideas. With stronger regulatory alignment and sustainability awareness, the sector is poised for steady expansion.”
Kunal Karad, EPACK Prefab Technologies, stressed, “Sandwich panels ensure temperature control, moisture resistance, and structural strength in pharmaceuticals, construction, and cold storage, while enabling faster installation. Dialogues like this drive innovation and address emerging industry needs.”
Strengthening Policy, Standards, and Global Competitiveness
Experts called for policy support, R&D investment, and stronger standardization to boost the PU and foam industry. Abhay V. Udeshi, Chairman, Jayant Agro-Organics Ltd, emphasized, “India has the potential to become a global hub for advanced polyurethane solutions. Policy support under Atmanirbhar Bharat, PLI schemes, and Green Building Codes, coupled with stronger BIS norms and technology upgrades, can accelerate sustainable, self-reliant manufacturing.”
Anup Dhave, Head, Metecno Asia BV, noted, “While India progresses under Make in India and renewable energy initiatives, outdated BIS 12436 norms and lack of dedicated certification bodies limit innovation. Addressing scrap disposal, high freight costs, and outdated standards will enhance competitiveness.”
Sanjay Gupta, President, IFCOMA, said, “Sustainability, energy efficiency, and lightweight, high-performance materials are driving PU and foam growth across footwear, construction, and automotive sectors. Policy support and global alignment are key to realizing this potential.”
Market Outlook: Robust Growth Ahead
Taher Patrawala, Managing Director, Media Fusion, noted, “Polyurethane is emerging as a key enabler of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability as India positions itself as a global manufacturing hub. The India Sandwich Panel Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.07% from $558.61 million in FY2024 to $1,039.32 million by FY2032, reflecting strong market momentum.”
The broader prefabricated composite sandwich panel market is expected to grow at a 7.2% CAGR between 2025–2035. It is projected to expand from $6,797.3 million to $13,623.3 million. Currently, these panels represent 8% of the overall building materials market and 12% of the prefabricated building components market. This indicates their rising importance in sustainable infrastructure.
Setting the Stage for UTECH INDIA 2025
The Leadership Dialogue successfully set the tone for strategic collaboration and innovation. This momentum will form the core agenda of UTECH INDIA 2025. As per the press release, the event remains India’s only dedicated platform for sustainable polyurethane, foam, mattresses, and insulation solutions. It brings together manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators under one roof to shape the future of energy-efficient and environmentally responsible construction.
