Lodha pioneers India’s first LC3 cement road to cut emissions 40%

In a landmark development for India’s construction and infrastructure sector, Lodha has successfully deployed Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) for road construction in Palava, marking the nation’s first use of this next-generation low-carbon cement in real-world infrastructure. The move represents a significant leap towards reducing carbon emissions from one of India’s most energy-intensive industries  cement manufacturing.

LC3, developed through over a decade of research by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi under the LC3 Project launched in 2014, was formally recognised as an Indian Standard (IS 18189:2023) earlier this year. JK Cement began commercial production of LC3 in August 2025, enabling its availability for industrial-scale deployment across the country.According to industry experts, LC3 cement can cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 per cent compared with conventional Portland cement while improving durability and structural integrity. Its adoption at Palava not only sets a precedent for the Indian real estate sector but also highlights the growing alignment between developers, academia, and policymakers in advancing India’s decarbonisation goals.

A senior civil engineer involved in the project said the deployment was “a critical proof of concept demonstrating that large-scale, low-carbon construction is not only feasible but commercially viable.” The collaboration involved key contributions from IIT Delhi, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), JK Cement, and construction materials specialist Sika.Experts from RMI emphasised that decarbonising construction materials is vital to achieving India’s 2070 net-zero target. “This initiative proves that industry partnerships and knowledge sharing can accelerate the transition toward sustainable urbanisation,” said a senior sustainability adviser at RMI.

For Lodha, the adoption of LC3 forms part of its broader sustainability strategy, which aims to make its townships and projects resource-efficient, climate-resilient, and aligned with circular economy principles. The Palava initiative, while modest in scale, serves as a living laboratory for testing LC3’s performance under local climatic and traffic conditions before wider adoption across future urban infrastructure.Urban development specialists believe that mainstreaming such innovations could transform India’s construction sector, which currently contributes nearly 8 per cent of national emissions. With regulatory recognition, domestic production capability, and demonstrated field success, LC3 could soon become a cornerstone of sustainable infrastructure  from housing to highways.The successful pilot in Palava symbolises more than technological progress; it signals a cultural shift within India’s construction ecosystem towards responsible urbanisation and material innovation  one that balances growth with environmental stewardship.

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Lodha pioneers India’s first LC3 cement road to cut emissions 40%