IIT Indore Develops Cement-Free Concrete, Cuts Emissions by 80% Using Industrial Waste

A major leap towards sustainability in construction, IIT Indore has developed a cement-free concrete which is capable of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 80%. The technology relies on geopolymer technology, completely supplanting cement with industrial waste materials such as fly ash and granulated ground blast furnace slag (GGBS).

The greatest advantage is that Ordinary Portland Cement (PCC), which accounts for about 8% of total anthropogenic CO2 emissions, emits CO2 during limestone processing, coupled with the high-temperature fuel requirement for production. New concrete not only cuts down on emissions but lowers the costs of construction by around 20%, says the institute, because it cuts out cement.

“This development is a step to change the dynamics around building the future infrastructure- stronger, faster and greener,” says Dr Abhishek Rajput, leader of the research team. “The idea was to arrive at an applicable solution that aids the environment and the construction industry alike.”

Another critical advantage of the geopolymer concrete is rapid strength gain, which makes it applicable to critical projects like military bunkers, emergency shelters, highway repairs, and precast railway components. Yet another advantage is that curing with water is not required, which is more relevant today, given the apprehensions over water scarcity.

The technology provides a second life to pre-existing industrial by-products, which would have otherwise caused degradation to the environment, and also provides an eco-sustainable waste management route for wastes generated in thermal power and steel industries.

According to Prof Suhas Joshi, Director, IIT Indore, this becomes a significant milestone event toward India’s green infrastructure objective. “This is an excellent example of how IIT Indore is contributing to national priorities through sustainable technology. Such developments align with India’s vision for carbon neutrality and sustainable development.”

The institute is rapidly working to find the right partners in the government and industry to implement this environment-friendly concrete into standard construction. If successfully adopted, it would certainly be a boon for greatly reducing the ecological footprint of India’s growing infrastructure needs.