DECORATIVE LAMINATES (HIGH PRESSURE)
Decorative Laminates material is intended for interior use. The specification applies to sheets in which the only filter is paper and does not cover sheets with a core of any other material covered by this report is not intended for load bearing applications.
In India three types of decorative and industrial laminated sheets or products are being manufactured usually using phenol formaldehyde or melamine formaldehyde or other phenolic resins as bindiong materials for the core and the surface papers. The decorative paper for lamination is imported. The laminated products are assuming increasing popularity for table tops, sink tops, other decorative articles as also in electrical appliance.
The product has high demand in India. An entrepreneur can well venture into this field.
Decorative laminate is commonly used to surface kitchen counters, table tops, and cabinetry because of its resistance to stains, scratches, and heat. The laminate sheets are made up of three layers: the bottom layer of brown paper coated with phenolic resin, a second layer of paper decorated with the desired pattern, and a third layer of clear sheet. Both the second and third layers are coated with melamine resin.
The sheets are normally manufactured in fixed sizes, the present trade practice being 2400 * 1200mm, but the actual sizes available from a manufacturer will depend upon the pressing equipment at his disposal.
A nominal thickness of 1.5 mm is recommended for sheets for veneering and a nominal thickness of 3.2 mm is recommended for wall paneling applications where the sheet is not supported or bonded on its entire area.
Laminated sheets generally have a specific gravity from 1.30 to 1.40 and thermal conductivity from 0.005 to 0.001 cal/cams deg. C.
Owing to hardness and rigidity of thermosetting synthetic resin bonded laminated sheets, the following precautions are necessary when fixing panels in order to accommodate any slight movement which may take place due to temperature and humidity changes.
Decorative high-pressure laminates are usually used for furniture tops especially on flat surfaces, including cabinets and tables. Decorative compact laminates are sometimes constructed as toilet cubicle systems, laboratory tables and kitchen tops. Some new usage models include wall panels with conceptual designs and custom prints.
Staining is more pronounced on a light coloured surface as compared to a dark coloured one, on which it is not easily visible.
The stain resistance of the decorative laminated sheets decreases with use. Laminates sheets are resins prepared from formaldehyde, phenol and paper pulp. They are used for thin layering on wood, glass, plastics or metal sheets as to increase strength and durability of the sheet. It also helps in protecting sheet from atmospheric effects and toxicity. Today, laminated sheets are becoming very popular-particularly plastic and paper laminated sheets. Glass laminated sheets are used by and large in air craft and certain scientific plans. Consumer preference due to shift of consumer preference from wood to plastics. Plastic laminates are highly popular.
The laminates industry in India is largely a market segment where customer involvement and knowledge about the product is very low, with most customers not being very aware of the various choices available. Usually in India, when people have any furniture requirements, they just approach the local carpenter in their area, and ask for a quote.
Due to this lack of end-user awareness prevalent in the plywood and laminate industry in India, the sales of plywood and laminates are often driven by the carpenters and the local shopkeepers in the area, and the customers involvement is usually restricted to choosing a laminate colour and design from the catalogue that the carpenter brings with him and shows to them.
Globally, the decorative laminate industry is projected to have a marginal growth. However the picture appears to becoming better for the coming decade mainly on account of boom in the real estate markets which has put a high demand for decorative laminate sheets catering to the interior decoration of the innumerable residential and commercial buildings sector.
At the same time, the Chinese invasion with low prices is adding pressure on the price realizations. The contribution of Indian laminate industry to the world demand is still under utilized and offers a lot of opportunity for the growth in volume.
Indian HPL Industry has been consistently growing since last six to seven years. The last two years have been boom time for new laminate units. As per latest estimates, India has now more than 165 Laminate producing establishments that includes all kinds of laminate. As per BSMR finding during 2013-14, India is currently having around 135 ‘Decorative’ Laminate producing units of which around 7-8 units are non operational.
The average production of decorative laminates has crossed approximately 130 million sheets inclusive of all thicknesses but the gap between installed capacity and demand is growing bigger. During FY 2011-2012 phases that gap narrowed with sudden demand in lower thickness segment but later capacities came in place and the Decorative laminate market became a pressure driven market.
Demand for laminates made from low-pressure overlays, which account for more than 80 percent of decorative laminate sales in area terms, is forecast to grow 5.7 percent per year through 2015. Demand will be driven by increased penetration of saturated papers in the high-growth flooring market, particularly in residential settings where the cost savings of low-pressure laminates outweigh the durability benefits of higher-priced high-pressure laminates. Performance improvements in low-pressure laminates are continuing to fuel their adoption as a low-cost decorative surfacing material for furniture, cabinets and store fixtures. Demand for high-pressure laminates will continue to benefit from their enhanced decorative properties, long-term durability and resistance to scratches and other types of damage caused by wear and tear.
The main raw materials for decorative laminates sheets are:
- Thermosetting Resins (Urea Formaldehyde or Melamine Formaldehyde Resins). Urea formaldehyde resin has been considered in this report.
- Design and decorative paper.
EIRI have prepared the Industrial Detailed Project Report on this Industry based on the 3000 Sheets per day, Land area approx. 4000 sq. mt., Machinery cost would be Rs. 5.42 Cr., Total Capital Investment including Land, Building, Plant and Machinery and 3 Months Working Capital is Rs. 17.33 Cr, Rate of Return : 48% and BEP: 38%
To Obtain this Project Report, May call +91 9811437895 Sudhir Gupta