Corrugated steel sheets and pipes remain essential across India’s construction and industrial sectors, supported by rising project activity and shifting steel prices. Their relevance continues to grow as buyers look for materials that balance durability, cost efficiency, and reliable performance.

Corrugation simply refers to adding ridges or wave-like folds to a material, increasing its strength without adding much weight. This structural advantage makes corrugated steel ideal for roofing, wall cladding, and drainage systems, where impact resistance and long life are key requirements.

Across both urban and rural markets, corrugated materials are valued for being affordable, protective, and long-lasting – qualities that keep them in demand even as market conditions evolve.

Meaning of “Corrugated”

Let’s begin by understanding corrugated meaning. A simple definition of corrugated materials would refer to any material (e.g., steel, cardboard, etc.) with wave-like folds and ridge patterns crafted on it using a corrugated roll. This results in a fluted corrugated sheet between two flat liner boards. The corrugation process enhances the material’s strength, robustness and resilience.

Types of Corrugated Materials

Industry Applications of Corrugated Materials

As mentioned previously, corrugated materials are extensively used in the construction and packaging sector. Their distinct grooves and ridges enhance their protective capabilities making them suitable for packaging of heavier, bulkier goods.

Let’s look at some examples of corrugated steel and other materials in construction, packaging, and other industries:

1. Construction sector

The role of steel in the construction sector can be seen across the spectrum. Corrugated steel sheets are often used for its robustness, versatility, and strength.

Its most popular application is for roofing and siding. Since its surface comes with a ridged pattern, it is excellent in letting excess water runoff. Moreover, with the right coating it can also resist corrosion and rusting, ensuring structural integrity in the long term. Corrugated roof sheets also have aesthetic appeal adding to elegance in roofing solutions.

Based on the thickness of these sheets, they can be used for domestic (0.42 BMT), commercial (0.48 BMT) and industrial (.60 MBT) roofing applications.

2. Packaging Sector

Another sector where we can witness the extensive use of corrugated materials is the packaging sector. From cardboard to boxes, there’s need for corrugated materials in various forms of packaging.

These materials are lightweight and provides moderate cushioning to items, making them invaluable for safe and secure shipping and transportation. Based on the type and thickness of corrugated materials, they can be used for packing heavy industrial items to light electronic goods (e.g., TV or computer screens).

Corrugated boxes moreover are economical, easy-to-customise, recyclable and reusable. Eco-friendly packaging solutions enable businesses to stay environmentally aligned and contribute to the country’s vision of sustainability.

3. Drainage Systems

Corrugated steel pipes are also used for efficient water management and drainage systems.

Due to their ridged surface, they can prevent flooding and erosion. Depending on the degree of stormwater management required, the size, thickness and grade of the pipes can be adjusted (using corrugated rolls) to increase the ridges and grooves. This ensures stability and continuity in urban and rural landscapes.

In domestic and commercial drainage systems, corrugated steel pipes are used for flexibility, strength and corrosion resistant properties. These pipes are flexible and can be bent at required joints, making it easy to install. The pipes are moreover corrosion resistant and can seamlessly carry water from drains and gutters to their disposal spot, ensuring that there’s minimum leakage or stench.

4. Agriculture Sector

Corrugated materials have also usage in the agricultural sector.

• Corrugated roofing solutions are used in food grain storage sheds to keep the grains protected from harsh weather (heat) and humidity, to prevent damage and wastage.
• Corrugated boxes are often used for the transportation of food materials. Since these boxes are lightweight, customisable, and provide cushioning to goods, it’s convenient to use them for packaging, preventing breakage and food contamination.

5. Fashion and Apparel

Logistics plays a critical role in textile, apparel and fashion industry. Logistics is involved across all processes, from production planning to warehouse management and transportation.

In all these stages, it’s essential to ensure the safety of goods through appropriate packaging, and corrugated boxes are often the right choice.

They are easy to move, customisable, and eco-friendly. Moreover, when using for e-Commerce shipping or B2B deliveries, the boxes can be branded with the company logo and other contact details. This gives the packaging its uniqueness, creates brand awareness, and also enhances the unboxing experience for the customer.

Apart from the industries mentioned above, corrugated materials especially for packaging are used across healthcare, E-commerce, automobile and other sectors.

How Are Corrugated Sheets Manufactured?

When it comes to the manufacturing of corrugated sheets, the process is determined by the choice of material – i.e., steel, plastic, or cardboard.

Let’s take a look at steel corrugated sheet manufacturing for simplicity:

• The process begins by selecting high-grade steel coils. This is important since it will determine the end quality of the sheets. Alternative base metals can also be used, where it has to be melted first and then shaped into coils.
• The coils will next undergo flattening through the roll-forming machines. This step adds its unique ridges and gives it its desired grade and thickness. Corrugated sheet rolls therefore are more rigid and comes will more surface area offering enhanced stability. (Also read: Steel bending machines)
• Once corrugation is completed, these are cut into desired shapes as per project requirements.
• The sheets are next treated for enhancing their properties. Surface treatment can involve painting, galvanising, waterproofing or UV protective coats.
• As a last step, the corrugated sheets are checked for quality. This is done to ensure that it meets the standard requirements.

Corrugated Steel Sheet Price

As in all cases, the prices will vary between location and manufacturers, and on the base material, size and thickness of steel. Here’s a quick look: