Mr. Brajesh Nahar, Director & COO, APL Apollo Building Products Ltd.

APL Apollo sustainable steel manufacturing and green construction solutions for smart infrastructure projects
APL Apollo Tubes Limited highlights its focus on green steel, smart manufacturing, recyclable products, and sustainable construction technologies for modern infrastructure.

At APL Apollo, sustainability is central to our design and manufacturing philosophy. Our “Steel for Green” portfolio, including Chaukhat door frames, fence systems, planks, and handrails, offers a direct replacement for wood in construction, helping save over 400,000 trees annually. The industry will see a stronger emphasis on green steel, automation, and prefabricated construction systems. APL Apollo is investing in EPD. GRIHA, ESG certifications, and World-Class Manufacturing standards and digital process controls.

Q. As sustainability becomes a key priority in construction, how is your company integrating eco-friendly materials, production methods, and end-of-life recycling into your piping systems to reduce environmental impact?

At APL Apollo, sustainability is central to our design and manufacturing philosophy. Our “Steel for Green” portfolio, including Chaukhat door frames, fence systems, planks, and handrails, offers a direct replacement for wood in construction, helping save over 400,000 trees annually. Our operations are powered by 56 MW of solar energy, complemented by 34 electric coil-transport vehicles. Zero Liquid Discharge facilities, 95,000 KL rainwater harvesting ponds, and certified waste recycling ensure our Production is nearly carbon-neutral. All our steel products are fully recyclable, supporting circular economic principles and enabling environmentally friendly, responsible construction.

Q. With India facing an urgent need for water conservation, what specific innovations, such as anti-leak technologies, low-flow solutions, or greywater recycling systems, have you introduced to minimize water wastage?

Water conservation is embedded in our operations and products. Our Raipur, Murbad, and Mallur plants are ZLD-enabled, using MEE and RO systems to recycle processed water efficiently. We have constructed two large rainwater ponds (45,000 KL and 50,000 KL) and 18 groundwater recharge pits to replenish aquifers. On the product side, our prefabricated hollow sections and coated steel tubes create leak-proof, corrosion-resistant frameworks, indirectly reducing water loss in buildings. Every drop is recycled, ensuring zero discharge and sustainable water neutrality across our facilities.

Q. How do your piping solutions align with green building standards like LEED and IGBC, and what proportion of your current product portfolio meets these sustainability benchmarks?

Our recyclable, low-carbon steel products, including PPGI/PPGL sheets (Roof Tuff, LumeTuff Pro, Coral), CRFH coils, and IS 4923-certified hollow sections, directly contribute to green building credits. We are actively pursuing EPD, GRIHA, and ESG certifications to formally validate our sustainable processes. Each APL Apollo product, from flat sheets to tubular sections, is
designed for high strength-to-weight ratios with minimal environmental footprint, making them suitable for green-certified projects.

Q. Anti-bacterial, anti-corrosive, and fire-resistant features are becoming essential in modern infrastructure. How are such advancements being incorporated into your product lines, especially for urban and high-rise applications?

Our Rakshak, LumeTuff Pro, and Roof Tuff coated sheets feature multi-layer Alu-Zinc coatings (up to 150 gsm) and anti- ingerprint technology for superior corrosion and microbial resistance. Prepainted steel door frames (Chaukhat) and color-coated purlins (Purlio) offer enhanced surface protection, durability, and fire resilience, making them ideal for urban high-rises. With dedicated R&D and NABL-accredited testing, our products are engineered to deliver consistent performance even in harsh environments while maintaining hygiene and aesthetic standards.

Q. In the age of smart cities, how are you leveraging IoT, sensors, or smart technology to enhance water management, detect leaks in real time, or predict maintenance needs?

APL Apollo integrates automation and digital monitoring in production to enable real-time efficiency tracking and predictive maintenance. Our ISO 50001-certified Energy Management System and upcoming EnMS certifications allow intelligent monitoring of power, air, and water resources. Smart controls in our color-coating lines and rolling mills optimize energy and water use, laying the foundation for IoT-enabled, leakproof infrastructure and intelligent building systems.

Q. Urbanization is rapidly reshaping Indian cities. How are you adapting your products to meet the unique challenges of high-density developments and multi-storey residential or commercial buildings?

Our next-generation hollow structural sections, including India’s first 500×500×20 mm and 1000×1000×40 mm tubes, enable lighter, taller, and faster construction for high-rise buildings. Compared to RCC, our tubular systems offer 2.5– 3× higher strength-to-weight ratios and reduce carbon emissions by 60%. Complemented by color-coated Purlio purlins and flat-sheet roofing systems, these pre-engineered steel solutions allow rapid assembly and lower foundation loads, making them ideal for dense urban developments.

Q. What steps has your company taken to support rainwater harvesting systems and promote more efficient water use across residential, commercial, or institutional projects?

Beyond implementing large-scale rainwater harvesting within our plants, APL Apollo’s prefabricated tubular frameworks and roofing sheet systems support easy integration of rainwater collection designs in buildings. Our Roof Tuff and LumeTuff Pro sheets ensure long-lasting, seamless drainage, enabling efficient rainwater capture. With 95,000 KL of in-house rainwater storage and recharge facilities, we reduce dependence on groundwater and provide a replicable sustainability model for institutional and commercial projects.

Q. Compliance with safety and quality standards is critical in the pipes and fittings industry. What certifications do your products currently hold, and how do you ensure they meet evolving regulations such as ISI, ISO, and NSF?

All our manufacturing facilities are certified under ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 as part of an integrated management system. Key products hold BIS licenses, including IS 277 (Galvanized), IS 4923 (Hollow Sections), IS 1161 & 3601 (Welded Tubes), and IS 15965 (PPGL), alongside CE certification for exports. Every batch undergoes rigorous testing in our NABL-accredited laboratories, ensuring compliance with ISI and global standards for durability, pressure performance, and corrosion resistance.

Q. How do you balance the rising cost of raw materials and compliance with quality standards while keeping your products affordable for builders and end users?

Vertical integration allows us to manage costs while maintaining quality. In-house rolling, slitting, pickling, and color-coating of CRFH, GP, PPGL, and Alu-Zinc products streamlines production. Our 56 MW solar power plant and EV logistics fleet reduce energy and transportation costs. Zero-waste practices and automation enable us to deliver globally certified, high-performance steel at competitive pricing for builders and developers.

Q. What are some of the regulatory or logistical challenges you face in bringing new piping innovations to market, and how do you work with authorities or industry bodies to navigate them?

Aligning modern tubular and coated steel products with legacy standards is a key challenge. APL Apollo collaborates closely with BIS, CPWD, PWDs, and industry forums to update product specifications for contemporary applications. Active participation in events such as BIS Foundation Day, Indian Building Congress, and Green Steel Conferences ensures technical knowledge sharing and smooth adoption of new standards, accelerating market acceptance of our innovations.

Q. With the Indian real estate sector transforming rapidly, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, how are you aligning your R&D and distribution strategies to meet the growing demand?

With 11 manufacturing plants, including ABPL Raipur, and 4.3 MTPA production capacity, APL Apollo ensures nationwide reach. Our R&D focuses on scalable innovations like narrow-width high-thickness coils, color-coated roofing, and reengineered tubular systems tailored for emerging cities. Regional stock points and decentralized logistics enable timely supply, faster construction cycles, and adoption of sustainable steel solutions across Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.

Q. Looking toward the future, what major trends do you anticipate shaping the pipes and fittings industry over the next 5 to 10 years, and how is your company preparing to stay ahead of the curve?

The industry will see a stronger emphasis on green steel, automation, and prefabricated construction systems. APL Apollo is investing in EPD, GRIHA, and ESG certifications, World-Class Manufacturing standards, and digital process controls. Upcoming Eco Park initiatives and energy recovery systems further strengthen our sustainable manufacturing ecosystem. Advanced tubular construction, PPGI solar structures, and high-strength coated products position us to lead India’s transition toward carbon-neutral, smart, and resource-efficient infrastructure.

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