CELUKA AND WPC: THE LESSER KNOWN PLASTIC PRODUCTS

Celuka and WPC are two lesser known plastic products being widely used in our state. Celuka is Unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride otherwise known as UPVC. This is nothing, but hard PVC which finds multiple applications in construction and related activities, as a substitute for wood. Indian made and imported Celuka sheets are now available in sheets of various thicknesses similar to plywood and MDF (Medium Density Fiber) boards. The imports are mostly from China. 

The construction industry is facing a shortage of wood. Products like MDF and plywood were widely used as substitutes for many wood applications for some time.  But as both MDF and plywood are not waterproof, the industry finds a new substitute in Celuka. The waterproof nature of Celuka makes it a product of preference in wet area applications - for making kitchen cupboards, table tops, bathroom doors, and partitions. The light weight, damp proof, and termite resistant Celuka sheets are easy to work upon using conventional and modern tools. Low density Celuka sheets otherwise known as ‘foam boards’ are widely used in the signage industry also.

WPC – Wood Plastic Composite – is a product of plastic and organic wood fibers. In comparison, WPC is harder and heavier, but not 100% waterproof. It is used mainly for exterior applications like decking, railing, and cladding. The users of these products claim that they reduce the use of wood to an extent thereby preserving nature. But contrary to it, there is a dark side for both Celuka and WPC. Like any other plastic products, Celuka and WPC are bio non-degradable and hence pollute the nature. Disposal of such unwanted material is a big issue and has always been. The cut pieces and saw dust are piling up at workshops and other sites. Unable to dispose off, many people are burning away these wastes which produce carbon and other harmful gases and thereby polluting the environment.

Madhu, a senior carpenter says, “Celuka sheets are freely available now and are easy to work upon. At the same time, they are producing harmful effects. It produces much dust and a pungent nauseating smell while working upon.

The saw dust causes allergic reactions and asthma-like breathing problems.” Antony, who specializes in making kitchen cupboards, comments, “It is easy to cut, saw, and drill on the sheets, but the saw dust and waste bits are accumulating in bulk, whose disposal is a big issue. It will not disintegrate, but remains such even after years. Burning it away causes more problems following to the pollution generated”. Ajith Kumar, a user of both Celuka and WPC says, “The material cannot withstand high temperature and will start bending if exposed to high day temperature. So, many users had to replace or discard the material after some time. Where and how will it be disposed off? In the long run, there is going to be huge stock piles of these kind of plastic wastes."

True. Unless there are mechanisms to collect, recycle, and reuse these unwanted plastics, using them is going to be hazardous. They will only add to the woes of the people who are already facing the problems of waste disposal.

As a part time reporter for yentha.com, I got the opportunity to publish my features and articles. Thanks to yentha for that. This particular feature also got published in yentha.