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Key Takeaways
- Production method affects flexibility: Autoclaved panels are cured in batches sized to the autoclave, which can mean minimum quantities and longer lead times for non-standard sizes. Terms vary, so ask each supplier.
- Non-autoclaved, in-house production is not tied to that batch cycle: vPANEL is naturally cured and made at our Senai, Johor factory, with length, thickness, density and reinforcement set per project.
- Customised does not mean instant: Custom lengths still carry a longer lead time than standard panels.
- Made-to-length supply can cut site work: Matching lengths to the wall layout can reduce cutting, offcuts, dust and cleanup.
- Ask suppliers five questions: In-house or outsourced, minimum quantities, revision lead time, customisation limits, and test reports for the customised product.
When developers compare ALC panel suppliers, the conversation usually centres on price and specification. How the panels are made gets less attention, yet it shapes what happens when a layout changes mid-project. This article treats production as a procurement question: how the curing method affects custom dimensions, lead times and responsiveness on commercial buildings.
How Does Autoclaved Production Limit Custom Orders?
Autoclaving cures panels in a pressurised steam chamber, so panels are cured in batches sized to the chamber’s capacity. As a general industry pattern, this can mean a non-standard dimension needs its own batch run, which may come with minimum order quantities and longer lead times. Terms vary by manufacturer, so these are questions to put to each supplier rather than assumptions.
The practical issue for developers is timing. A change to panel dimensions late in design may have to wait for the next suitable batch.
What Changes When ALC Panels Are Not Autoclaved?
Without an autoclave step, production is not tied to a chamber’s batch cycle. vPANEL is naturally cured and manufactured in-house at our factory in Senai, Johor, so panels can be fabricated to project requirements. Length, strength and reinforcement can be set per project, thickness is available in 25 mm steps from 100 to 300 mm, and density can be set between 400 and 1,200 kg/m³ on request.
Because we manufacture directly rather than sourcing panels from another maker, we can offer a shorter lead time and custom profiles. Customised lengths still carry a longer lead time than standard 600 x 3,000 mm panels. The advantage is shorter, more adjustable production runs, not instant turnaround.
Why Does This Matter When Tenant Layouts Change During Construction?
Commercial buildings often change while they are being built. A tenant revises a partition line, an opening moves, or a floor is re-planned. Each change alters the lengths, quantities and openings in the panel schedule.
A supplier that makes its own panels is better placed to revise that schedule against updated drawings. We prepare shop drawings from the architectural drawings you send, showing panel layout, stiffener positions and opening solutions. The earlier changes reach us, the more room there is to adjust.
How Does Made-to-Length Supply Affect Site Waste and Installation?
For our project in Miri, we supplied vPANEL in customised lengths, wrapped and palletised with product labels, and loaded into a container for shipment. Matching lengths to the planned wall layout can reduce cutting, offcuts, dust and cleanup at the work area, which leaves crews more time for positioning, alignment and jointing.
Where a custom length is made, the residual panel is cut and installed staggered, which eliminates wastage. The key is early coordination: wall dimensions, openings, installation clearances and quantities should drive the panel-length schedule.
Does Non-Autoclaved Mean Lower Performance?
It should be verified rather than assumed. vPANEL ALC panels have a 4-hour fire rating at 100 mm thickness (BS 476 Part 22:1987), a thermal conductivity of 0.1375 W/(m·K), and compressive strength options of 3, 5 and 7 MPa. Whatever the curing method, ask any supplier for test reports covering the exact product, thickness and strength tier being quoted.
What Should Procurement Managers Ask an ALC Panel Supplier?
Five questions separate real flexibility from marketing:
- Is production in-house or outsourced?
- What are the minimum quantities for non-standard sizes?
- What is the lead time for a revised panel schedule?
- Which dimensions, densities and reinforcement can be customised, and within what limits?
- Which test reports apply to the customised product?
These are the questions we are ready to go through for your project. Send us your drawings and we will walk you through customisation options, lead time for revised schedules and the test reports that apply.
Customised ALC Panels with Design Consultation for Commercial Buildings
We make vPANEL at our factory in Senai, Johor, and developers across Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines can send us their drawings for a custom panel schedule. Our commercial references include data centre work in Johor. Design support starts from your drawings: we prepare shop drawings, and every supply package includes an installation method statement. For first-time projects, we recommend an audit of the first 100 m² to confirm the crew is hitting tolerance.
ALC Panels with Strong Insulation Performance
Rather than relying on “latest technology” claims, compare measured values. vPANEL’s thermal conductivity is 0.1375 W/(m·K). Lower conductivity means less heat passes through a given thickness, but the whole wall build-up matters, so check results with your designer. Our lightweight concrete range also includes LIGHTHERM for floors and roofs.
To discuss a custom panel schedule, send your drawings by WhatsApp or email to inquiry@vodapruf.com.
📞 Malaysia: +60 16 217 7155
📞 Singapore: +65 9796 5910
🌐 vodapruf.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What lengths can a custom ALC panel be made in?
Length depends on thickness. A 100 mm ALC panel can be made up to 3,000 mm, while from 150 mm thick onwards the stated maximum is 4,000 or 6,000 mm, so confirm the limit for your thickness. Custom lengths carry a longer lead time than standard panels.
Can the density of a vPANEL be changed?
Yes, density can be set between 400 and 1,200 kg/m³ on request, compared with the standard dry density of 550 kg/m³. Other properties, such as acoustic performance, vary with density. Ask us for the test data that applies to the density you choose.
What compressive strength options are available?
Standard vPANEL has a compressive strength of 3 MPa, and 5 and 7 MPa options are available. Strength can be fabricated to project requirements, so state your requirement when you enquire. Your structural engineer should confirm the strength your application needs.
Is it better to order custom-length panels or cut standard panels on site?
Standard vPANEL is supplied as 600 x 3,000 mm panels, which are cut to length on site where needed, while custom lengths bring that preparation into the supply stage. Custom lengths can reduce cutting, offcuts and dust on site, but they carry a longer lead time. The better choice depends on your wall layout and programme.
What information is needed to plan a custom panel schedule?
Share your architectural drawings with wall dimensions, openings, installation clearances and quantities. These guide the panel-length schedule, and we prepare shop drawings showing panel layout, stiffener positions and opening solutions. The earlier the drawings are shared, the more room there is to adjust.
Can vPANEL be used in wet areas and external walls?
Yes, our specification lists vPANEL as suitable for wet areas and for external wall application. The recommended external build-up uses a 10 mm plaster render with a water-repellent paint system, while the inner face can take a direct skim coat. Confirm the build-up with your designer.
What thermal conductivity should I look for in ALC panels?
Compare the stated thermal conductivity, where a lower value means less heat passes through a given thickness. Standard vPANEL, a lightweight concrete panel, is stated at 0.1375 W/(m·K). Ask for the value that applies to any customised density, and have your designer assess the whole wall build-up.