Across India’s construction sites, the question keeps coming up: “Which shuttering material should I choose?” With tight timelines, rising labour costs, and increasing environmental scrutiny, choosing the right formwork material isn’t just about finishing the job—it’s about setting the standard for the future of building.
On this World Environment Day, as the world re-examines its relationship with waste and sustainability, we at WoWMaterials believe it’s time to rethink what we build with. And more importantly, how we build.
This blog dives deep into the three most commonly debated formwork materials: centring sheets, shuttering plywood, and the newer, fast-rising plastic shuttering sheets (WoWBoards).
1. Centring Sheets: The Old Iron Giant
What is it?
Centring sheets are rigid metal sheets used to create a mould for pouring concrete, especially in slab and beam shuttering.
Advantages:
- High strength, ideal for large spans
- Reusable over 100+ times
- Good load-bearing capacity
Disadvantages:
- Very heavy, leading to slower setup and dismantling
- Requires oiling and constant maintenance
- Prone to rust if not properly stored
- High upfront cost
Best For: Large commercial and infrastructure projects with cranes and skilled labour.
Limitation in 2025? The rising cost of steel and increasing environmental regulation on embodied carbon makes metal centring sheets harder to justify in smaller and mid-size projects.
2. Shuttering Plywood: The Traditional Favourite
What is it?
Shuttering plywood, often referred to as centring plywood or shuttering ply, is a wood-based panel used widely across India for concrete formwork.
Advantages:
- Affordable upfront
- Easily available
- Lightweight and flexible
Disadvantages:
- Limited reusability (5–7 repetitions in ideal conditions)
- Warps and swells with water exposure
- Needs frequent oiling
- Cracks and breaks during de-shuttering
Best For: Small residential or low-rise commercial work where cost matters more than long-term savings.
Why It’s Becoming Obsolete: With plywood prices rising and its contribution to deforestation becoming a critical concern, many contractors are looking for better alternatives.
3. Plastic Shuttering Sheets (WoWBoards): The Sustainable Game-Changer
What is it?
WoWBoards are engineered plastic shuttering ply boards made from recycled plastic sheets and waste packaging materials. They are designed to match (and often exceed) the strength and usability of plywood while being environmentally responsible.
Advantages:
- Over 50+ repetitions, compared to plywood’s 5–7
- Waterproof, rot-proof, and resistant to swelling
- Minimal maintenance; no oiling required
- Lighter than centring sheets, easier to handle
- Delivers a better concrete finish, reducing plastering costs
- Can be cut, nailed, and drilled like wood
- Made from recycled plastic boards, reducing landfill waste
- Once unusable, they are taken back and recycled
Disadvantages:
- May require training for first-time users
Best For: Contractors, developers, and engineers looking for long-term savings, sustainability, and reliability in slab shuttering, columns, and retaining walls.
Environmental Impact
Let’s not forget: every WoWBoard is made from plastic that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill or burnt. Each board recycles over 400 plastic bags worth of waste. At scale, sites using 1000+ WoWBoards are helping divert tonnes of plastic from choking our rivers and ecosystems.
On World Environment Day, the question isn’t just “Which board is cheaper?” — it’s “Which board gives my site a future?“
Still Not Sure? Here’s What to Ask:
- Do I want to spend on shuttering again every 5 cycles?
- Do I want a smooth finish with fewer cracks and stains?
- Do I want to be part of the sustainable future of construction?
If the answer is yes, then the choice is clear.
Final Verdict: What Should You Use in 2025?
| Criteria | Centring Sheet | Shuttering Plywood | WoWBoards |
| Repetitions | 80–100 | 5–7 | 50+ |
| Finish Quality | Moderate | Poor (after 2–3) | Excellent |
| Water Resistance | High | Low | High |
| Eco-Friendliness | Low | Very Low | High |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Medium | Low | High |
| Labour Friendliness | Low | High | High |
Use Centring Sheet if: You have cranes, skilled labour, and a mega project.
Use Plywood if: You’re okay with short-term use, poor finish, and re-buying.
Use WoWBoards if: You care about finish, savings, the planet—and your project timeline.
The World Doesn’t Need More Waste. It Needs WoW.
This World Environment Day, let’s not just talk sustainability. Let’s build it into every slab, every wall, and every column.
Choose WoWBoards – where recycled plastic sheets meet engineering excellence.
Ready to make the switch? Visit www.wowmaterials.in or message us on WhatsApp today.
WoWMaterials — Building with Waste. Saving the World.