Mumbai, October 29, 2025: Lodha has achieved a major sustainability milestone with the deployment of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) concrete in road construction at Palava, becoming the first real estate developer in India to use this low-carbon material. The initiative marks a significant step in India’s journey toward sustainable infrastructure and underscores Lodha’s leadership in driving innovation for a greener, climate-resilient future.
LC3, developed after more than a decade of research led by Professor Shashank Bishnoi and his team at IIT Delhi under the LC3 Project, was officially recognized as an Indian Standard (IS 18189:2023). The material became commercially available for large-scale use following JK Cement’s commencement of LC3 production in August 2025.
Compared to conventional cement, LC3 reduces carbon emissions by up to 40% while offering greater long-term durability and strength. Lodha’s successful adoption of LC3 concrete at Palava sets a precedent for its wider application across India’s infrastructure and urban development projects.
Prof. Shashank Bishnoi, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi, said, “LC3 is among the most promising cement innovations for achieving large-scale carbon reduction. Seeing it transition from laboratory research to real-world application in India is a significant milestone. It exemplifies the power of collaboration between academia, industry and developers to accelerate sustainable technologies critical for India’s low-carbon future.”
Sukanya Paciorek, Managing Director, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a global non-profit advancing decarbonization, added, “Decarbonizing construction is central to India’s net-zero goals. Lodha’s adoption of LC3 demonstrates how collaboration across the ecosystem can unlock new pathways for sustainable urbanization. RMI is proud to have supported this effort by providing technical and systems expertise, ensuring that pioneering projects like this can scale and inspire wider adoption across the country.”
Aun Abdullah, Program Director, Sustainable Urbanization – Lodha Foundation, said, “This may be a small step in a long journey, but it is a first for India. By piloting LC3 in road construction, we are helping build confidence in a material that can redefine the future of low-carbon cement. Our gratitude to IIT Delhi, RMI, JK Cement and Sika for their collaboration in achieving this important milestone.”
The project’s success reflects a joint effort between Lodha, IIT Delhi, RMI, JK Cement, and Sika, integrating academic innovation and industrial expertise to demonstrate scalable applications of sustainable materials.
By implementing LC3 at Palava, Lodha has established a new benchmark for the Indian construction sector, paving the way for sustainable urbanization and the reduction of embodied carbon in infrastructure. The initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to responsible development and positions India as a key player in the global low-carbon construction movement.
