Aluminium
Composite
Panels (ACP)
- Cladding
What Is ACP Cladding?
ACP cladding uses Aluminium Composite Panels — sheets made of two thin aluminium skins bonded to a solid core — to cover the exterior or interior surfaces of a building. Instead of relying on traditional materials like stone or plaster, architects and builders turn to ACP for a finish that’s lighter, faster to install, and far more design-flexible. At our manufacturing unit, we produce ACP engineered for India’s climate and construction standards — a facade material that holds its finish through heat, humidity, and years of weathering.
Every panel we manufacture is compliant with IS 17682, the Bureau of Indian Standards specification for aluminium composite panels used in building construction.
How ACP Panels Are Built
An ACP sheet is a sandwich construction: two thin sheets of aluminium, each typically 0.2mm to 0.5mm thick, bonded on either side of a solid core. The core determines how the panel performs. Standard-grade panels use a polyethylene (PE) core, prized for flexibility and low cost. FR-grade panels replace this with a mineral-filled core — usually aluminium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide — that resists ignition far better than plain PE. The outer face is then coated, most commonly with PVDF for superior colour retention and weather resistance, or PE for a more economical finish. Panel thickness generally ranges from 3mm to 6mm depending on application and structural load.
Coating Options
The coating on the aluminium face determines how long a panel holds its colour, gloss, and weather resistance.
| Coating | Warranty & use |
|---|---|
|
PE Coating |
2-5 years warranty. Single-layer polyester — our most economical option. Good for interiors and short-to-medium outdoor use; more prone to fading under prolonged UV than higher grades. |
|
2PE Coating |
6-7-years warranty. Two-coat polyester (primer + colour) at ~25 microns dry film. Improves colour consistency and adhesion over single-coat PE while staying budget-friendly. |
|
SDP / PVDF |
Up to 10 year warranty for SDP and upto 20 years warranty for PVDF. Fluoropolymer coating built for long-term outdoor performance — resists UV degradation, chalking, and fade far better than PE. Recommended for facades and long-duration exteriors. |
|
Kynar 500 PVDF |
Up to 20-25-year warranty. Premium-grade PVDF resin — the same weather and UV resistance as standard PVDF, with tighter colour and gloss retention over decades. The choice for landmark buildings. |
Installation Methods: Wet Seal vs Dry Seal
WET SEAL SYSTEM. A traditional method using silicone sealant applied into the joints between panels to create a waterproof barrier. It works well for low-rise buildings and interiors, though sealant can degrade under prolonged UV and may need resealing over time.
DRY SEAL (rainscreen) SYSTEM. The modern approach, increasingly preferred for high-rise and commercial exteriors — compression gaskets and pressure-equalised joints instead of sealant. This creates a ventilated facade that sheds water and reduces surface staining, with less long-term maintenance than wet seal.
Fire Safety: FR-Series ACP
Fire performance is a real concern in cladding — which is why FR-grade ACP has become the standard for commercial and high-rise construction in India. Standard panels use a PE core; FR-Series panels replace it with a mineral-filled core that resists ignition and slows the spread of fire significantly. Our FR-Series is manufactured to meet India’s National Building Code and BIS IS 17682:2021, and is certified by Thomas Bell-Wright International Consultants — an independent UAE-based testing laboratory — for non-combustibility. That gives architects and contractors third-party verification of fire performance, not just a manufacturer’s claim. For hospitals, metro stations, airports, high-rises, and other buildings with strict fire codes, FR-grade ACP isn’t optional — it’s the compliant choice.
ACP vs Other Cladding Materials
| Factors | How ACP compares |
|---|---|
|
Weight |
ACP is the lightest at 3–6 kg/m². HPL runs 8–12 kg/m²; stone/GRC 15–120 kg/m² and often needs structural reinforcement ACP doesn’t. |
|
Cost |
ACP generally carries lower material and installation cost than HPL, stone, or glass — practical for large-scale commercial work. |
|
Texture & finish |
HPL renders wood and stone textures more realistically; ACP offers a broader palette of metallic, solid, and mirror finishes and bends more easily into curves. |
|
Maintenance |
ACP needs only routine cleaning with mild soap and water — no polishing, sealing, or repainting. Stone and glass typically demand more upkeep. |
The right choice depends on the project’s budget, design intent, and structural constraints — which is why we manufacture both ACP and HPL, so builders can specify the material that fits the job rather than compromise.
Sustainability & Recyclability
ACP panels are fully recyclable. At end of life, the aluminium skins and the core are mechanically separated and reprocessed — aluminium returned to metal recycling streams, core repurposed separately. This aligns well with green-building goals, including LEED-aligned sustainable construction.
Maintenance & Care
One of ACP’s practical advantages is low upkeep. A periodic wash with mild soap and water keeps panels looking new, since the coating resists dirt buildup and fading. ACP doesn’t require polishing, sealing, or repainting under normal conditions — keeping lifecycle costs down for building owners.
Where ACP Cladding is used?
- Building facades and exterior wall cladding for commercial and residential towers
- Shopfronts and retail storefronts
- Canopies, balconies, and parapet cladding
- Interior wall panelling and false ceilings
- Petrol pump and showroom cladding
Choosing the Right ACP Panel
- Core type — PE grade for cost-sensitive, low-rise, non-critical work; FR grade where fire codes demand it.
- Coating — PE (10-yr) or 2PE (14-yr) for budget/mid-range; PVDF (up to 20-yr) or Kynar (up to 25-yr) for facades and long exposure.
- Thickness — typically 3mm to 6mm depending on load and application.
- Installation — wet seal for simpler low-rise builds; dry seal for high-rise, long-term performance.
- Certification — our panels meet IS 17682; FR-Series carries Thomas Bell-Wright certification for non-combustibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACP cladding safe for high-rise buildings?
Yes — provided FR-grade panels with a mineral-filled core are specified and installed to meet National Building Code and IS 17682:2021 requirements.
How long does ACP cladding last?
With a PVDF coating and proper installation, ACP facades typically perform well for 20–25 years with minimal maintenance.
Is ACP cladding waterproof?
The panels are weather-resistant; waterproofing at the joints depends on the installation method — dry seal systems generally hold up better long-term than wet seal.
Can ACP be recycled?
Yes — ACP is fully recyclable; the aluminium and core materials are separated and reprocessed at end of life.
Manufactured for the Indian Market
As a domestic manufacturer, we offer consistent quality, faster lead times, and grades built for Indian weather — without the delays and costs of imported panels. Whether you’re specifying panels for a single storefront or a full high-rise facade, our ACP range — standard and FR grade, in PE, 2PE, PVDF, and Kynar finishes — covers your project from spec to certification.
Have a project in mind?
Tell us what you’re building.
Our team responds on WhatsApp within working hours with swatches, specs and pricing.
