Bengaluru Startup Swaps Cement For Steel Plant Slag

A Bengaluru startup is selling building materials that contain no cement, using slag from steel plants instead, in a bid to cut emissions from construction. Founded in 2024, Ecopath says its cement free construction products are already in use across four cities. If the claims hold at scale, the approach could ease the carbon burden of Indian cities and give industrial waste a second life.

Cement is one of the largest industrial sources of carbon dioxide, because making it requires burning limestone at very high temperatures. Builders often say they are open to greener options, but they need dependable supply, consistent quality and prices close to conventional products. A co-founder says that gap, rather than reluctance, has held back adoption. The company’s product, EcoConcrete, relies on ground granulated blast-furnace slag, a by-product of steelmaking, combined with proprietary binders. It can be used for pavers, kerbstones, blocks and ready-mix concrete, according to the firm. It also says the material needs no water curing, the practice of keeping concrete damp for days so that it gains strength. Conventional curing uses large volumes of water, a growing concern in cities facing shortages.

The slag angle carries a second benefit. Steel plants generate large quantities of this residue, and finding productive uses reduces pressure on landfills. Industry experts note, however, that slag is already widely blended into cement, so competition for supply could shape both cost and availability as demand grows. Independent lifecycle assessments, which measure emissions from raw material to finished product, would help buyers verify the savings. On the commercial side, the company reports about Rs 12 crore in cumulative revenue and expects to pass Rs 50 crore by the end of this financial year. It has a team of 20 and operates in Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai and Hyderabad. It plans to enter at least 20 Indian cities and has received enquiries from the Middle East and Africa. Six patent applications have been filed, with five more planned. These figures are company-reported and have not been independently verified.

Early customers doubted that a material without cement could match conventional performance, the co-founder says, until they saw it in use. That caution is reasonable. Housing and public works depend on strength, durability and compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards codes, and new materials usually need testing and approvals before they are specified widely. The co-founder also warned that exaggerated green claims damage trust in the whole sector, a view many urban planners share. The next test is whether cement free construction can be produced and distributed at volumes that meet city demand while staying price-competitive. Third-party certification, municipal pilots for paving and kerbs, and clear reporting of emissions saved will show whether the technology is ready for mainstream use.

Also Read : India Cements Director Vote Tests Cement Sector Oversight

Bengaluru Startup Swaps Cement For Steel Plant Slag