The construction sector is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for approximately 37–40% of annual emissions, according to the UNEP report on Eco-Efficient Cements. These emissions stem primarily from building operations and the embodied carbon within construction materials.

In an effort to reduce carbon emissions from the cement industry, which is an important step towards achieving carbon neutrality, a high-level meeting was recently convened by Mr Priyank Kharge, Honourable Minister of Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, Karnataka, in close coordination with Swissnex.

Dr Debojyoti Basu Roy, Programme Officer – Technology at TARA Applied Research Centre (TARC), presented the potential of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) as an innovative, low-clinker, low-carbon, and cost-effective alternative for the cement industry. The presentation also highlighted how LC3 could address the shortfall in fly ash availability through the utilisation of non-commercial grades of limestone and clays to produce high-quality cement. Additionally, Promac Engineering elaborated on the technology for using alternative fuels in place of fossil fuels to further reduce emissions in cement production.

The Honourable Minister, Mr Kharge, expressed strong interest in introducing LC3 to cement companies in Karnataka, particularly in Kalaburagi—a major cement production hub in South India and a significant source of CO₂ emissions. It was agreed to advance this initiative under the Minister’s leadership, with the aim of supporting the cement industry in producing low-carbon, affordable cement. The meeting also reached consensus on generating demand for LC3 in Karnataka through policy changes and regulatory mandates.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Swissnex, TARA, Promac Engineering, and Mr Ravi Menezes, a citizen scientist, along with other senior officials from the Ministry.

Mr Jonas Brunschwig concluded the session by reaffirming Swissnex’s continued support to the Government of Karnataka in facilitating policy, technology, and industry dialogues—strengthening the Indo-Swiss partnership, with LC3 playing a central role in India's low-carbon transition.