Beyond Cost — It’s About Safety, Longevity, and Performance
In laboratories, material choice isn’t just about appearance or price — it’s about trust, safety, and performance that lasts.
Many manufacturers in India still rely on CRCA (Cold Rolled Close Annealed) steel because it is cheaper. But when exposed to humidity, chemical vapors, and temperature variations, with just a small scratch on surface- CRCA begins to rust and degrade, often within just a few years.
At LabGuard, we made a deliberate decision to move away from this pattern. We build all our fume hoods and laboratory furniture using GI (Galvanized Iron) — a material engineered for durability and protection in real-world lab conditions.
Why GI Outperforms CRCA
1. Built-in Corrosion Resistance
The zinc coating in GI acts as a natural shield, protecting against corrosion even in humid or chemically active environments — conditions where CRCA fails prematurely.
2. Long-Term Value
While GI costs slightly more upfront, it eliminates the repaint-and-repair cycle common with CRCA, saving labs both time and money over the years.
3. Reliable for Indian Conditions
From coastal humidity to industrial pollution, India’s varied climate puts metals to the test. GI’s inherent resilience ensures longer service life and consistent performance everywhere.
4. Safer, Cleaner Labs
By staying structurally sound and corrosion-free, GI furniture supports safer workspaces and reduces the risk of contamination or injury caused by deteriorating surfaces.
The Story Behind LabGuard’s Shift to GI
Listening to the Researchers
Our journey began with listening. Over the years, we’ve had countless conversations with researchers, scientists, and facility managers. A recurring theme emerged — CRCA furniture looked fine on day one but deteriorated far too soon.
One small scratch on the powdercoated surface and the surfaces would start rusting. Maintenance became routine. In labs that demand consistency, corrossion was a serious issue.
Understanding the Real Problem
It wasn’t poor workmanship — it was the material itself. India’s humidity, chemical exposure, inadequate lab ventilation design and temperature variations made CRCA unsuitable for long-term use. The solution had to be more than cosmetic; it needed to fix the root cause.
Choosing a Better Foundation
That’s when LabGuard took a decisive step. Instead of following industry convention, we adopted Galvanized Iron (GI) as our base construction material. The goal was simple — build products that perform longer, stay safer, and truly serve the needs of researchers.
Since then, our GI-based furniture and fume hoods have proven their reliability in hundreds of installations across India. Researchers now experience the difference — fewer maintenance issues, longer service life, and consistent safety even in demanding environments.
Recognized Excellence and Continued Trust
Our belief in durable design has earned national recognition and trust from India’s top institutions:
EKá High-Performance Fume Hood — awarded the India Design Mark for design excellence and safety innovation.
IIT Bombay — recently awarded LabGuard a project to deploy 250 fume hoods, reaffirming our commitment to performance at scale.
Trusted by over 30 countries, LabGuard’s solutions continue to represent Indian engineering on the global stage.
The Takeaway
Choosing GI over CRCA is more than a technical decision — it’s a commitment to building labs that stay safe, efficient, and reliable for years.
At LabGuard, we don’t compromise on the foundation of our products — because your lab’s safety and performance depend on it.