Last Updated : 26 November 2009 at 23:25 IST

Will aluminium houses impact metals market?

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AHMEDABAD (Commodity Online): Will Aluminium houses be the solution to India’s housing problems in the urban areas. Maybe, if a suggestion by Japanese experts at an APSA meet held in Ahmedabad is accepted by the urban planners.

In fact, Japanese were the first to construct affordable houses out of aluminium. The technique is not only cost-effective, but each component of the building is also re-useable.

Experts at the APSA conference suggested that aluminium houses are the best alternative to costly RCC buildings.

In a detailed presentation, Taisuke Sumihiro of University of Kitakyushu explained as to why the non-corrosive, light-weight and precision components makes aluminium a suitable material for sustainable buildings. Right from re-use of each of the building components to ease of transportation to areas in need, especially during disasters, makes it an ideal material for construction.

The reusable aluminium could become a new tangible asset for sustainable lifestyle for low income communities and increase security for living. However, if the plan is implemented that can impact the Aluminium market, which has witnessed a slump during the recession period. India will need a lot of aluminium to build houses for its urban poor.

By not only providing a universal construction system but by combining the universal system with locally available components, people would not require heavy machinery to assemble this house. People from the community can set up this house together.

Meanwhile, aluminum consumption in Asia may continue to grow next year as stimulus measures in China, the world’s biggest metals consumer, and rest of the region lift demand for the metal.

Aluminum prices have surged 32 per cent this year as China’s $586 billion stimulus spending increased demand for the metal used in car parts, construction and cans.

China’s economy expanded 8.9 per cent in the third quarter, the fastest pace in a year.

Barclays Capital forecasts that the global surplus in aluminium will increase 29 per cent to 1.63 million tonnes next year as the biggest annual price increase since 1994 spurs producers to increase output.