ArcelorMittal is the world’s largest producer of hot-rolled steel sheet piles. ArcelorMittal Sheet Piling is in charge of the sales, marketing and promotion of hot rolled steel sheet piles, cold formed sheet piles, bearing piles and foundation solutions produced by following ArcelorMittal mills. Additionally, ArcelorMittal Sheet Piling can supply any accessory required for a complete foundation solution package, including anchorage material, walers, fabricated piles, coated piles, driving caps, etc.
Boris Even
Boris Even, Director – ArcelorMittal Sheet Piling told Sandeep Menezes that sheet piling is increasingly becoming a part of foundation solutions.
Excerpts from the interview:
What are the recent technological trends in steel sheet piling worldwide?
More and more steel sheet piles are being used. We helped develop and advance the sheet piling technology, the applications, bring in additional design softwares. Sheet piling is becoming more and more a part of foundation solutions. However it also differs from market to market. It is a global trend but in some markets it is easier to implement changes compared to other markets where it takes more time.
The issue is sheet piles market penetration is also a fact of local expertise and that is something that one can’t implement through technical documentation but something which needs to be built up.
Therefore one has a certain steel piles technology, and next step is having the expertise and know-how and being in the market to give training to the people to know how projects need to be executed.
India is an extremely cost conscious market, therefore how does sheet piling compare vis-à-vis other technologies in terms of pricing?
The cost of sheet piling is not determined by the cost of material but has to be seen as a part of the whole project. In a market wherein time is not money the implementation of sheet piling solutions will take much longer. But in a market wherein time is money in terms of restriction of obstructions in order to increase availability of modern core facilities – then I believe sheet piles have their true value in the market. Even if it is a higher cost material at the end of the day the overall cost justifies the use of sheet piles.
Sheet Piling
You were speaking about standards not being present for sheet piling in India. Comment.
I feel that standards are a useful tool in order to simplify the process. But at the same time, the client can take over the available standards like they may ask for some specific standards even if it is not as per the local standards. Therefore the client can choose from the standards that are available. For example, the client may ask for the design to be done as per the Euro code but at least there are enough standards available to make sure that the design of sheet piles is done in a professional and state-of-the-art way.
But if sheet piling is as per local methods, then there will be more awareness and implementation of such local standards.
Europe is a key market for sheet piles development and also many markets adopt the Euro code or European standards as to the supply, installation and usage of sheet piling.
It is not that there are no standards available but it will help tremendously if there would be local standardization. We are also working at different levels to get these standardizations implemented.
Going forward, how much growth do you foresee in the sheet piling market in India?
I feel that since we are just in the beginning, the growth is not relevant. If I have five projects and get 10 projects then the growth would be 100 per cent. The relevant thing is how far we can implement the knowledge in the market. India is not a market wherein one can just jump in and book orders. India is a market wherein one has to be present.
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