Lodha Pioneers India’s First LC3 Road, Cutting Emissions by 40%

Lodha has set a new benchmark in sustainable development by completing India’s first LC3 (Limestone Calcined Clay Cement) concrete road at Palava, delivering up to 40% lower carbon emissions compared to conventional cement.

This milestone marks a turning point for India’s real estate and infrastructure sectors, showcasing how innovation and collaboration can accelerate the country’s transition to climate-resilient urbanization.

LC3, developed through a decade of research led by Professor Shashank Bishnoi and his team at IIT Delhi, was officially recognized as an Indian Standard (IS 18189:2023). Its commercial rollout began in August 2025, when JK Cement commenced production—making the material available for large-scale use across India.

“LC3 is among the most promising cement innovations for achieving large-scale carbon reduction,” said Prof. Bishnoi. “Seeing it move from lab to road is a milestone for sustainable construction.”

The Palava deployment was supported by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), which provided technical and systems expertise to ensure scalability. “Decarbonizing construction is central to India’s net-zero goals,” said Sukanya Paciorek, Managing Director, RMI. “Lodha’s leadership shows what’s possible when industry and research align.”

Aun Abdullah, Program Director for Sustainable Urbanization at Lodha Foundation, added, “This may be a small step in a long journey, but it’s a first for India. We’re proud to help build confidence in a material that could redefine low-carbon cement.”

The project was made possible through close collaboration with IIT Delhi, RMI, JK Cement—India’s first LC3 producer—and Sika, whose construction expertise enabled successful execution.

With this milestone, Lodha has not only delivered a road—it has laid the foundation for a new way of building.