Not Just Another Brick In The Wall

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The real estate sector produces 30% of the world's total carbon emissions and consumes 40% of global power production, per UN environment reports. 

While the sector speaks of reducing operational carbon (the result of building operations like lights, air-conditioning and elevators), embodied carbon (the result of construction like steel, concrete, bricks), which accounts for almost 75% of emissions is often ignored. 

Not Anymore. Green Bricks Are Here!

Currently, most bricks in India are manufactured either through the process of firing or using high-energy/embodied carbon binders such as Portland cement.

The blessed folks at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have recently developed a technology to produce energy-efficient walling materials using construction and demolition waste, and alkali-activated binders.

These low-carbon (low-C) bricks, as they now call it, do not require high-temperature firing or the use of Portland cement. 

One Stone = Two Birds

The technology, researchers believe, will also solve the disposal problems associated with construction and demolition waste mitigation. 

Prof BV Venkatarama Reddy, who led the research team, quoted to the press that a start-up will be functional within six-nine months to manufacture low-C bricks and blocks with IISc’s technical help.

“The start-up unit will act as a technology dissemination unit through training, capacity building, and providing technical know-how for establishing such commercial units across India,”, he added.