Lodha Leads India’s First Use of LC3 Cement in Infrastructure

Lodha has achieved a landmark milestone in India’s sustainable  development journey by successfully deploying LC3 (Limestone Calcined Clay Cement) concrete in  road construction at Palava, marking a historic first for the nation’s real estate and infrastructure  sector. This breakthrough underscores Lodha’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and its  leadership in driving India’s transition towards a low-carbon future. 

Developed over a decade of research led by Professor Shashank Bishnoi and his team at IIT Delhi under  the LC3 Project (launched in 2014), LC3 was officially recognized as an Indian Standard (IS  18189:2023). The innovation reached a new milestone when JK Cement commenced commercial  production of LC3 on 29th August 2025, making it available for large-scale application across India for  the very first time. 

LC3 cement represents a transformative leap in construction materials — reducing carbon emissions  by up to 40% compared with conventional cement while offering enhanced long-term durability and  strength. Lodha’s adoption of LC3 concrete at Palava marks India’s first real estate deployment of this  sustainable material, paving the way for its broader use across infrastructure and urban development  projects nationwide. 

Prof. Shashank Bishnoi, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi apprised “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, of Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) which is a leading non profit organization transforming the global energy system and driving a zero-carbon future, said, “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: 

“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.” 

A Landmark in India’s Sustainable Development Journey 

The successful implementation of LC3 concrete at Palava is more than a construction achievement— it is a symbol of innovation, collaboration and purpose. It demonstrates how India’s leading  developers, academic institutions and industry partners can work together to build a more  sustainable, durable and climate-resilient future.

Lodha has once again set a new benchmark by pioneering the use of LC3 in road infrastructure— setting a milestone in sustainable urbanization and taking an early mover role in testing its potential  for wider adoption.  

This milestone was made possible through the technical support of IIT Delhi and RMI and close  collaboration with JK Cement—India’s first producer of LC3—and Sika, whose expertise in  construction materials enabled the successful execution of this pathbreaking project.