The LC3 launch event by JKLC marked the culmination of a journey that began in 2014 alongwith IIT Delhi, IIT Madras and EPFL Switzerland supported by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. A major raw material required for the production of LC3 is non-ceramic grade kaolinitic clays. Since this type of clays was not explored yet, thus TARA through its team of experienced geologists took over the responsibility of looking for suitable clays in and around Gujarat and Rajasthan to explore the feasibility of producing LC3 at JK Lakshmi Cement plant. Various clays from multiple sites across the two states were collected and tested to understand the kaolinite content and its effect on producing high quality and low carbon cements. While some were found suitable, others were rejected. Continuous testing and processing were carried out at the labs of IIT Delhi, TARA and at JK Lakshmi Cement plant at Jhajjar.

LC3 produced from suitable clays was further used to develop different types of cements and its performance evaluated at both laboratory and pilot scale. To understand the various properties of the cement, large scale pilot production of around 300 tonnes was also carried out at JKLC, Jhajjar plant. The cement produced and the knowledge gained during actual production was invaluable to shape the properties of cement and pave the way for commercial production by other cement companies. The cement produced was used for production of AAC blocks at JKLC, Jhajjar plant which were further used in one of the most energy efficient buildings for Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation at Swiss Embassy, New Delhi. The enviable energy efficiency of the building is testimony of the varied high-end application of LC3. LC3 was also used to construct a heavy-duty road at the entrance of JKLC Jhajjar Main Gate capable of carrying loaded trucks with cement for dispatch. These exercises helped validate the behaviour of the material under actual conditions and strengthened confidence in the product and the technology.

In India for any cement to be adopted commercially, BIS standards are necessary. Thus, all the results of both lab scale trials on mortar and concrete conducted at IIT Delhi and IIT Madras was used to formulate a new standard for LC3. Extensive clay feasibility studies, mix design, production of cement, its testing in mortar and concretes and stakeholder engagement were carried out to enable the formulation of a standard that would guide industry adoption. In 2023, the Bureau of Indian Standards published IS:18189 for LC3. The release of this standard provided a major boost to the construction industry and gave confidence to all stakeholders involved in adopting the technology and using the product.

Following this milestone, extensive clay mapping activities were undertaken during the period 2023 to 2025 in close association with JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd. A rigorous testing programme was carried out by TARA to identify clays that met the requirements specified in IS:18189:2023. Once suitable clays were identified, they were subjected to calcination at different temperatures. Multiple rounds of testing and several iterations were undertaken to optimise the process until successful calcination conditions were achieved.

The R&D and Quality Control teams of JK Lakshmi Cement utilised this calcined clay to produce various LC3 blends. Through a rigorous exercise involving several trials and blend variations, the final formulation for LC3 was developed by JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd. This extensive process of research, validation, and collaboration eventually led to the commercial launch of the product.

India’s low-carbon cement transition marked a defining milestone with the commercial launch of LC3 by JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd., signalling the coming-to-age of LC3 from research and pilot scale to mainstream production and market adoption, responding to the growing demand for sustainable construction materials. LC3 will support the reduction of embodied carbon in buildings and infrastructure and put India in the roadmap of cement sector decarbonisation.

Representing Development Alternatives and TARA at the launch were Dr. Ashok Khosla, Dr. Arun Kumar, Mr. Shrashtant Patara and Dr. Soumen Maity.

LC3 is a bright example of setting up the pathway for reducing carbon emissions in a hard-to-abate cement sector. This has been achieved by lowering clinker content while utilising widely available materials such as non-ceramic grade clay and non-cement grade limestone. As infrastructure demand continues to grow, solutions like LC3 is poised to play an important role in aligning industrial expansion with long-term climate and sustainability goals.

The LC3 initiative is also an example of multi-party support from across the globe. Support from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) to TARA for making this happen is also gratefully acknowledged.