ICC to set up 'Durra' building panel manufacturing plant here

THE International Construction Consortium (ICC) of Sri Lanka and Ortech Industries (Pty) Ltd of Australia signed a technology transfer agreement recently for the setting up of a plant in Sri Lanka to manufacture and sell Durra Building Panels. The total project cost is estimated at Rs. 312 Mn.

ICC, the promoter of the project was established in 1979, and is currently a market leader in the construction sector with ICTAD M1 rating. ICC possesses multi sector capabilities in infrastructure development and housing.

The Durra Building Systems Technology is patented and promoted by Ortech Industries (Pty) Ltd, Australia and is a technology with a proven track record of over 40 years with manufacturing operations currently running in Australia, United States and the Philippines.

The panels are also marketed and used in New Zealand and Indonesia.

The manufacturing process involves converting abundantly available rice straw into durable building panels through a continuous dry extrusion process. The manufacturing process is totally chemical free making the end product an environmentally friendly application.

The Durra Panel can be used as cladding material for internal walls and external walls, ceilings and internal office partitioning.

The Durra panels are 1187 mm wide (designed for 1200mm grid) and has the flexibility to be cut to the customer's specific length requirements.

Managing Director of ICC Harsha de Saram said the construction industry has been continuously looking for an effective alternative to traditional forms of construction using cement blocks, brick and mortar.

This form of construction is facing major limitations in the current context given the high cost as well as shortage of skilled labour and material such as sand."

The main raw material, paddy straw is currently treated as an agricultural waste and is burnt by the farmers on the paddy field after harvesting the paddy.

Hence, the project is seen as an effective eco networking arrangement which converts an agricultural waste into a useful commercial product. The framer will earn an additional income by supplying the straw to the project.

The factory will be located in Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa in close proximity to the paddy growing catchment from where the paddy straw will be sourced.