A Delhi-based climate technology venture is beginning to alter how India builds its cities by removing cement from construction materials and replacing it with repurposed industrial waste. At a time when urbanisation is accelerating and climate pressures are intensifying, the development signals a potential shift for infrastructure, housing, and public works across the country.
India’s construction sector consumes vast quantities of cement and clay bricks, contributing heavily to carbon emissions, resource depletion, and mounting construction and demolition waste. Urban planners estimate that hundreds of millions of tonnes of debris enter landfills annually, placing stress on land, water, and air systems. Against this backdrop, a new generation of construction technologies is being tested to decouple urban growth from carbon-intensive materials.Founded in 2024, the Delhi startup operates at the intersection of waste management, materials science, and infrastructure delivery. Its core innovation replaces traditional cement with industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag, bound through a proprietary chemical process. Industry experts note that eliminating cement from structural materials addresses one of the most emission-heavy stages of the building lifecycle, where both fuel use and raw material extraction are concentrated.
According to officials familiar with the projects, the cement-free construction materials are already being deployed in airport infrastructure, border roads, and public sector developments. The use of waste-derived inputs also reduces landfill dependence while creating secondary markets for industrial by-products, aligning with circular economy principles increasingly adopted by cities worldwide.Beyond structural materials, the company has expanded into climate-resilient insulation designed for extreme temperatures. In high-altitude and sub-zero regions, freezing water infrastructure is a persistent challenge, often requiring energy-intensive heating or repeated repairs. The new insulation systems are designed to limit heat loss and prevent freeze-thaw damage, improving reliability while lowering energy demand. Urban infrastructure specialists see such solutions as essential for climate adaptation in mountainous and arid regions.
The enterprise also operates waste-to-energy facilities converting agricultural and municipal waste into compressed bio-gas, contributing to decentralised energy systems. Analysts point out that integrating construction materials, insulation, and energy recovery under one operational model strengthens resilience across the urban value chain.Financially, the company has crossed ₹5 crore in cumulative revenue since inception, largely through institutional and infrastructure clients. Its early traction highlights a growing willingness among large developers and public agencies to trial low-carbon alternatives, especially where lifecycle costs and durability can be demonstrated.
For India’s cities, the implications extend beyond technology adoption. Cement-free construction challenges entrenched supply chains and regulatory frameworks that have long prioritised conventional materials. Urban policy experts argue that wider adoption will depend on updated standards, performance-based approvals, and procurement systems that reward emissions reduction.
As cities expand into climate-sensitive regions and sustainability targets tighten, solutions that combine waste reduction, lower emissions, and infrastructure reliability are likely to move from pilot projects to mainstream planning. The next phase will test whether cement-free construction can scale fast enough to influence how India builds its urban future.
