Leading ceramic tile manufacturer Somany Ceramics has acquired Durabuild to enter construction chemicals. This is a strategic move by the company to become a full-service construction solutions provider.
In July this year the company announced it had acquired a majority stake in Durabuild, a
Delhi-based construction chemicals maker with a long history in waterproofing and structural protection solutions. Ostensibly, this step strengthens Somany’s position in the
fast-growing construction chemicals market, a category that is playing an increasingly
important role in the infrastructure and real estate ecosystem.
The Durabuild acquisition represents more than just a portfolio expansion; it symbolises
Somany’s intent to move beyond being known only for surface aesthetics and into offering
complete, performance-driven building materials. As Abhishek Somany, managing director
and CEO, put it: “This acquisition is a strategic leap in our journey to become a full-spectrum building materials brand.”
Facts and Significance
Durabuild, founded in 1998 by Dr Dhananjoy Ghanti—regarded as India’s first construction
chemical chemist—is well known for its innovation and strong credibility among institutional
clients. Now led by Rudrabir Ghanti, the company manufactures more than 200 SKUs,
including waterproofing systems, protective coatings, cement admixtures, tile adhesives,
grouts, sealants, and repair mortars. Its Bahadurgarh base has been a hub of product
development and production, with particular strength in North India’s institutional market.
With this acquisition, Durabuild’s products will now fall under the Somany Home & Building
Solutions vertical. This move not only broadens Somany’s portfolio but also allows it to use
its 12,000+ retail touchpoints, 500+ exclusive showrooms, and export presence in over 80
countries to take Durabuild nationwide and possibly beyond. In short, Somany Ceramics has Acquired Durabuild as a deliberate step to expand beyond ceramics into a high-potential building materials segment.
The meaning is clear—Somany is no longer only competing in tiles and sanitaryware. By
entering construction chemicals, it is stepping into a space that directly supports the
durability and lifespan of the surfaces it has long been known for.
Why Durabuild, Why Now
According to Abhishek Somany, waterproofing has long been a “natural adjacency and a
high-growth category where we envisioned a strong play.” Among the options in the market, Durabuild stood out for its technical strength, wide product range, and established
relationships with institutional buyers.
Durabuild’s expertise fits neatly with Somany’s strengths. Tiles and bathware may shape the surface, but waterproofing, coatings, and admixtures protect structures from within.
Together, they enable Somany to offer truly end-to-end building solutions for both individual consumers and institutional clients. This shift is part of a wider plan: to diversify
into related areas that make sense for Somany’s core business while meeting customer
demand for more complete solutions.
Managing Headwinds, Planning Ahead
The acquisition also needs to be viewed against Somany’s FY2024–25 performance.
Consolidated revenues came in at ₹2,668 crore, showing modest growth of 2.5% year-on-
year. However, net profit fell sharply—down 42% to ₹58 crore—due to higher raw material
and power costs as well as one-time losses from subsidiary divestments. Earnings per share declined from ₹22.98 to ₹14.65. Still, the company proposed a dividend of ₹3 per share, illustrating its continued commitment to shareholders.
In its Annual Report 2023–24 the management had already outlined the intention to
diversify into areas like adhesives and other building materials. The report spoke about long-term growth through expansion into categories beyond tiles. In this light, the Durabuild acquisition is not a sudden move but part of a clear path to secure future growth. It shows Somany’s intent to push forward even when its main ceramic business is under margin pressure.
From Surface to Strength
For decades, Somany has been a name tied to design, aesthetics, and innovation on the
surface. With Durabuild, the company is repositioning itself as one that also brings strength
beneath the surface.
The branding approach is well thought out. In the institutional space, products will be sold
under the Somany Durabuild brand, aimed at hospitals, schools, commercial complexes,
infrastructure projects, and premium real estate. For the retail and mid-project segment,
waterproofing and quick-fix products will continue under the Somany EZY Fix brand, already known to homeowners and small contractors. This two-brand strategy balances continuity with reach.
Communication will shift as well. Somany plans to highlight durability, performance, and
technical knowhow—making sure stakeholders see it not only as a tile innovator but as a
complete partner in construction.
This fits with Somany’s earlier steps. Sourcing Hardware had previously covered the
company’s showroom expansions and investments in brand-building. The Durabuild
acquisition is the next chapter in that story, pushing the brand beyond surface beauty into
structural strength.
What It Means for the Market
The construction chemicals industry is on a strong growth curve. Waterproofing alone is
expected to grow from USD 1.18 billion in 2024 to USD 1.81 billion by 2030. Cement
admixtures are also forecast to nearly double in size by 2033. With Durabuild in its portfolio, Somany is positioning itself to ride this wave.
For competitors, this raises the competitive bar. Somany’s established brand, wide
distribution, and financial depth could spark consolidation in a market that still has many
small-scale players. Trade partners stand to gain too, as they can now offer a more
complete set of solutions from one trusted brand. Consumers, meanwhile, get the benefit of more reliable products that cover both looks and long-term performance.
Leadership Perspective
Abhishek Somany stresses the deal’s importance: “Durabuild’s technical legacy and
credibility, when combined with Somany’s brand equity and distribution reach, create a
unique opportunity to deliver holistic building solutions. That’s why Somany Ceramics has
acquired Durabuild.”
He also explains the dual-pronged strategy—EZY Fix aimed at retail and mid-market buyers, while Somany Durabuild focuses on institutional and infrastructure segments.
On sustainability, he confirms that Somany is “actively exploring green-certified solutions”
to align with the future of responsible construction. While he avoided specific revenue
targets, he notes that Durabuild is already running on healthy margins. The roadmap
includes phased investment in manufacturing, technology upgrades, and R&D expansion.
Laying the Foundation for the Future
Somany Ceramics’ acquisition of Durabuild is more than just a business deal—it’s a
foundation for the company’s next chapter. By moving into construction chemicals, Somany
is tapping into a fast-growing market, reducing its reliance on tiles alone, and repositioning
itself as a complete home and building solutions brand.
For the industry, this marks a turning point: Somany is no longer just a ceramics leader but
an integrated solutions provider. For partners and customers, it means more value and
reliability. And for competitors, it signals a stronger, more diversified Somany that is ready
for the next phase of growth.
As the company builds on Durabuild’s technical expertise and its own distribution reach,
Somany Ceramics has Acquired Durabuild becomes more than just a headline—it’s a marker of transformation. Somany is quite literally cementing its future to a more profitable one—for itself, its partners, and its customers.
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