The state government should device a mechanism to ensure the quality of M-sand distributed in the state. Low quality material not only gives a low quality precast but also affects the durability of concrete, says Joseph Jacob, Director, POABS Group

The state government should device a mechanism to ensure the quality of M-sand distributed in the state. Low quality material not only gives a low quality precast but also affects the durability of concrete, says Joseph Jacob, Director, POABS Group

Manufactured sand or M-sand is gaining popularity among customers as many states have banned the use of river sand. What were the challenges?

M-sand is a registered trademark of POABS. This concept was launched in 2002, in Kerala. The company had some crusher plants and was looking at ways to use crusher dust/ crusher sand—the byproduct from the plants, in concrete. However, there were challenges like the shape of the dust and presence of varied percentages of microcytes. Use of these type of concrete dust can cause durability and load bearing (strength) issues. So, these were used as landfill or dumped. However, with the price of river sand moving upward, and the restriction on extraction of river sand led us to innovate and convert the crusher sand to usable manufactured sand. With the support of College of Engineering Trivandrum, we have established the first M-sand plant in Thiruvananthapuram. Till then the industry was dependent on river sand that is cylindrical in shape which blends well in the concrete mix.

With new concepts come new technologies. Can you describe the technologies being used in manufacturing sand?

The first plant was set up with wet technology. Crushed particles are first passed through a vertical shaft and then through a wet process. While the river sand is cylindrical in shape, crushed sand it is cubical. The cubical shape adds more strength to the concrete. The only challenge now remaining is the removal of microcytes. The Indian Bureau of standards permits use of 150 microns not exceeding 10 percent and 75 microns not exceeding 2 percent in the concrete mixture. When crush sand is washed, in the process we lose 300 and 600 microns. So, challenge was to retain the 300 and 600 microns and remove the 150 and 75 microns from the same lot.

What is your market in m-sand?

Till FY2009 -10, we held 50 percent market share in Kerala. Increase in number of palmers and import of m-sand from the neighboring states has impacted our market share. Also, there is no mechanism in Kerala to check the quality of m-sand distributed in the state. Cheap quality material is easily available in the market at lower rates, and that is chief competition.

What are the regulatory challenges?

There is no quality check for the m-sand coming from different places. The QC is possible only if it is produced locally. If the material is transported from other states, implementing QC check is very difficult. Once such low-grade m-sand is used in concrete, there are ways to check the strength but difficult to gauge durability.

Which segment is your major consumer RMC or retail? And what are your expansion plans?

We have our own RMC business arm. We do cater to both—RMC and the retailers. The demand for m-sand is growing is rising from states where local governments have imposed restrictions on river sand. Most South Indian and West Indian states have moved to m-sand now. Considering the opportunities, we are definitely looking at expanding. We are in advanced talks with some states, though it is too early to divulge details. Currently we operate only in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Renjini Liza Varghese