Mumbai :
A new digital assistant entered India’s building materials sector this week.
The tool, called MatGenie, made its first public appearance at the ZAK Expo in
Mumbai. Its creator, Aludecor, says the assistant can help architects,
developers, contractors and fabricators make faster and clearer material
decisions at a time when construction projects face constant pressure on cost,
safety and performance.
The
launch drew steady crowds at the expo as distinguished personalities and
visitors from different parts of the industry tried to understand how an AI
assistant could fit into their everyday work. Many asked if an app could really
guide someone through choices that often depend on site conditions, climate,
design rules and budget limits.
Saurav
Kabra, Director at Aludecor, said MatGenie aims to cut through confusion that
often surrounds material selection. “Every project must meet climate needs,
safety rules and performance targets,” he said at the launch. “The industry
faces these pressures every day. MatGenie aims to bring clarity and speed to
these decisions.”
The
tool works through simple prompts. A user describes a problem or project
condition, and MatGenie produces an explanation that connects material features
to real-world constraints. The app also allows comparisons across cladding
materials, insulation choices and façade systems. Its guidance relies on
building codes, fabrication know-how and basic architectural logic.
Visitors
at the expo tested the tool with questions that often slow down early-stage
planning. One architect asked which cladding material performs best near a
coastal site. Another asked how ACP panels differ from other façade systems
when long-term maintenance becomes a concern. Others explored questions about
thermal performance, acoustic outcomes and wind load effects.
MatGenie
produced step-by-step answers without heavy jargon. It explained trade-offs and
cited factors like climate exposure, fire rating classes, structural load paths
and cost ranges. Many users said they valued the way the app broke down a
problem into parts.
Several
senior industry voices also shared early reactions at the expo.
Ar.
Prasanna Wategaonkar of HOSMAC India said the tool brings structure to material
decisions that often feel scattered. “Our industry waited for support that can
sort complex choices,” he said.
Vicky
Vora, a façade consultant with V3 Facade Design Studio, said the tool offers
clarity on material behavior, which he called essential for façade engineering.
Architects
Harsh Pote and Gaurav Sanghvi from Pentaspace said MatGenie can speed up
material exploration at the design stage and help teams base choices on
reasoning rather than assumptions.
Ar
Gaurav Sanghavi and Ar Harsh Pote of Pentaspace, Mumbai based Architecture and
Design firm said the tool helps narrow the gap between design intent and
conditions at the job site. MatGenie can speed up material exploration at the
design stage and help teams base choices on reasoning rather than assumptions,
said Ar Sanghavi.
What
sets MatGenie apart, according to Aludecor,
is its attempt to act as a neutral guide for the wider building materials
space. Although the company created it, the tool covers a wide range of
materials beyond ACP sheets. It answers questions about concrete, steel, tiles,
insulation types, cladding options and façade systems.
The
company also says the tool will remain in a continuous training mode. That
means MatGenie will evolve as new standards, materials and methods enter the
market. Aludecor calls it a contribution to the larger building materials
industry rather than a brand-exclusive product.
The
tool also aims to include every stakeholder. Architects can use it for design
logic. Fabricators can receive support on installation steps and safety norms.
Contractors can use it to check the feasibility of systems before committing to
them. Even homeowners or first-time buyers can ask about maintenance needs or
cost ranges while planning interiors or exteriors.
MatGenie
attempts to bring all this information into one simple chat interface. The
company says this reduces guesswork and encourages choices that support
compliance and long-term performance.
The
launch also reflects a broader shift. Digital tools in construction are no
longer limited to drawing software or project trackers. Around the world, AI
systems now help with energy models, structural analysis and lifecycle
optimization. MatGenie joins this trend with a focus on material intelligence.
Subash
Gaijes of Nippon Paints India said that MatGenie sets a new benchmark for how
the building materials ecosystem accesses knowledge, and this initiative from
Aludecor raises the digital maturity of the entire industry.
Similarly,
Prasanna Bhakre of PPG Paints India also mentioned that AI app like MatGenie
can speed up material exploration at the design and initiation stage and help
teams base choices on reasoning rather than assumptions.
For
Aludecor, the tool also marks another step in its push toward knowledge-driven
leadership in the ACP and façade materials segment. The company already works
on research and material innovation. Now it aims to give the industry a digital
support system that can improve project outcomes.
Explaining
the tool to media and visitors, Gautam Saraswat, Marketing Head of Aludecor,
said MatGenie will prove to be a boon for the entire building materials
industry, offering unbiased and immensely beneficial guidance for material
selection and knowledge building. He added that Aludecor’s thought-leadership
move with MatGenie marks yet another category-defining moment, signalling only
the beginning of what is to come.
For
Aludecor, the launch extends its commitment to knowledge-driven leadership in
the ACP and façade segment. As construction practices rapidly evolve, MatGenie
aims to become a dependable companion on design desks and project sites across
India, earning trust through accuracy, neutrality and continuous learning.