India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and reducing the carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030 is gradually impacting every industry including construction, where resource-efficient development has been thrust into the spotlight. According to Shekhar Patel, President, CREDAI, rapid urbanisation and expanding infrastructure reinforce the urgency to adopt climate-conscious construction practices. One such practice is the adoption of green concrete for being a vital enabler of low-carbon construction. But what exactly is green concrete, what sort of projects has it been used for so far, and with what result? Low-carbon concreteConcrete is considered environmentally unfriendly because some of its constituents have a high carbon footprint. The production of cement, one of its key components, contributes close to a tenth of global carbon emissions. Quarrying for aggregates, another constituent, is also an energy-intensive process. However, changing these key constituents can help lower the carbon footprint of concrete.Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and micro silica can be introduced in the mix to partially replace cement. Aggregates may be replaced by recycled aggregates from processed crushed concrete, reclaimed sand or recycled stone.At RDC Concrete, high-volume fly ash concrete uses 50 per cent fly ash, compared to 30 per cent in some traditional mixes, while the 70 per cent GGBS mix, with 30 per cent cement, leverages industrial byproduct slag for durability. Ultrafine Minerals, a subsidiary, manufactures efficient SCMs by processing fly ash and grinding GGBS to national standards, enhancing reactivity and packing to maximise the reduction of cement, significantly lowering the overall energy footprint despite processing energy.Concrete that is made in a more energy-efficient manner, or that enhances the durability of the built structure in any way, or is transported by eco-friendly means is also considered green. In that context, “Concrete made by operating batching plants on grid power or solar power or wind power rather than diesel gensets, and transported on BS-IV or more advanced vehicles that consume less fuel, has a lower carbon footprint,” explains Mahendra Babre, General Manager - Quality, Kalpataru.At RDC Concrete, local or recycled aggregates are used and rail transport is preferred for sustainability.Further, fibre-reinforced concrete – particularly with steel fibres – plays a significant role in lowering the carbon footprint of built environments by extending the life of concrete structures, reducing repair frequency, and eliminating excess steel bar usage.Where the environmental impact of concrete is sought to be reduced, Babre says, “Calculations based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards for reporting on emissions standard or sustainability reports help achieve the desired target.”Green goodnessGreen concrete is associated with certain benefits. T Chandra Sekhar, Director Technical, Aparna Enterprises, points out, “SCMs can enhance resistance to chemical attacks such as sulphate attacks and alkali-silica reactions while lowering the rate of heat generated during hydration, minimise thermal cracking, and enhance lateral strength.” Green concrete typically provides a smoother and more consistent finish compared to traditional concrete, he continues. “A decrease in plastic shrinkage cracking has been observed. Improvements in lateral strength have been noted when compared with conventional concrete. It has lower permeability and enhanced durability leading to an extended lifespan and reduced maintenance requirements.”What’s most important is that these benefits come at no extra cost or inconvenience. “Our green concrete matches regular concrete in cost and workability due to optimised admixtures,” says Anil Banchhor, Managing Director & CEO, RDC Concrete (India).Coming to steel fibres or glass fibres (see box), adding these to concrete significantly improves its ability to withstand cracking, reduces permeability, and increases fatigue resistance, according to Danush Doongaji, Director, Stewols Bansal India, India’s first manufacturer of steel fibres under the Shaktiman brand. “This makes fibre-reinforced concrete not just a material upgrade but a strategic choice for modern construction.” Using steel fibres in flooring, especially in logistics warehouses, industrial plants and retail spaces, brings operational efficiencies. “Unlike conventional reinforced concrete, steel fibre concrete eliminates the need to cut, place and tie traditional rebar, which saves substantial time and labour, and simplifies the construction of large-scale floor slabs,” he explains. “We view steel fibres not just as additives but enablers of a greener construction ecosystem.”Early adoptersGreen concrete has so far been adopted by developers of Grade A commercial developments, premium residential projects and public infrastructure, such as metro rail, highways and smart city initiatives, to meet their ESG objectives and qualify for certifications like IGBC and GRIHA, informs Patel.“Numerous projects such as Aparna Sarovar, Aparna CyberZon, Aparna Zenon, Sumadhura Olympus, Sumadhura Palais Royale, Navami Eon, Yashodha Hospital and Citizen Hospitals, among others, have incorporated green concrete,” says Sekhar.In the infrastructure arena, “Noida International Airport used green pavement quality concrete and structural grade concrete,” shares Babre. “Twenty per cent of the OPC that would have been used was substituted with supplementary cementitious materials and graphene admixtures (Nanogence).”Also, projects like “Bandra Worli Sea Link (50 per cent processed fly ash in tremie seal concrete and pile caps, locally sourced, durable in marine conditions), Delhi Metro (70 per cent finely ground GGBS in underground sections, M35 HVFA concrete with over 70 MPa strength at 270 days, using local SCMs), and Bengaluru Metro (40 per cent processed fly ash in structural concrete, recycled aggregates in non-structural elements, designed for durability) have used green concrete,” says Banchhor.Steel fibres have found widespread application in heavy-duty concrete work, including hardstanding industrial floors, tunnel linings, shotcreting and high-stress precast elements. “We have used fly ash and GGBS mixed concrete for various projects, monolithic concrete structures, mostly multi-storied residential building, elements such as massive rafts, heavy walls where the heat of hydration is expected to be high, and commercial, institutional and fair finish concrete structures,” shares G Boopathi, Director, Uniqcore Constructions India. “Primarily self-compacting concrete and high workable concrete require these pozzolanic additives for better workability and a cohesive mix.”“Our fibres have been used in several critical infrastructure projects, in hydroelectric power projects such as Tapovan Vishnugarh in Uttarakhand and Vishnugarh Pipakoti, and in complex tunnel systems like the Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Pass) and Kishan Ganga Project,” says Doongaji. “Industry leaders such as HCC, Megha Engineering & Infrastructure, L&T, Afcons, Reliance and Patel Engineering rely on their inhouse quality control to handle the advanced fibre-reinforced mixes.” Modus operandi“Some construction projects specify the carbon saving that should be achieved,” says Babre, citing data centres of various service providers in India as projects where the specifications detailed that the (embodied) carbon footprint should be reduced by a certain amount compared to the use of pure OPC mixes. In such projects that Babre has worked on, the material selection is driven by that specification. “Trial mixes and testing helped ensure the strength and durability of the concrete complied with the contractual requirement and didn’t compromise the de-shuttering cycle time where modular formwork would be used,” he explains. “Nowadays, there are many advanced nanomaterials, in powder or liquid form, to design high-performance mixes.”Sekhar cautions users of green concrete to ensure that it satisfies required parameters like workability and workability retention, strength, durability, etc, and also meets the project requirements. He supports trials to determine the extent of replacement and mixing times. “Tests help determine the setting time of concrete and assess the development of compressive strengths at different test ages, and the durability,” he says. “Also, use proper placement techniques, an effective curing methodology and appropriate stripping time for the removal of formwork.”“Reliably source the additives, ensure that the quality is consistent and the maximum allowable percentage of additives as per IS codes is not exceeded,” cautions Boopathi. “Additives can vary significantly in chemical composition, so it is imperative to ensure their properties meet the standards. Also, verify the admixture’s compatibility with cement by proper testing.”Green concrete gains early strength slower than regular concrete; this may impact the overall curing timeline and the formwork stripping time may need to be extended, adds Boopathi.According to Patel, “Strong supplier collaboration is vital to ensure consistency in the mix design, curing requirements and performance benchmarks, and effectively use green concrete.”Good tidingsTo further the adoption of green concrete, Boopathi recommends “strong mandates, incentives and subsidies for green products; controlling carbon footprints through Environmental Product Declarations by RMC suppliers; carbon taxes; general awareness and training; demonstrating the performance, aesthetics and environmental benefits of green concrete through major metro, infrastructure and public building projects; and furthering research in new mix designs, performance metrics and durability models.”About 20 per cent of RDC Concrete’s supply is green concrete, and key customers include developers targeting LEED or IGBC Platinum or Gold ratings and infrastructure projects. Awareness of green concrete is growing, according to Banchhor, but broader adoption requires more education and policy support, a fact supported by Patel.With the right policy support, industry awareness and cross-sector collaboration, Patel sees green concrete playing a catalytic role in advancing India’s climate goals and shaping future-ready, environmentally-resilient structures. Developers must lead the shift toward greener construction materials, especially now that sustainability has become integral to investor and occupier decision-making. Using glass fibres in general-purpose concrete While steel fibres are ideal for heavy structural elements, glass fibres offer advantages, especially in structural and semi-structural applications where crack resistance and surface durability are critical. “Glassman glass fibres are engineered to improve tensile strength and minimise shrinkage cracks, making them highly effective in general-purpose concrete,” says Danush Doongaji, Director, Stewols Bansal India. “One example is our collaboration with Sandeep Dwellers in Nagpur, who are incorporating glass fibres into concrete for their affordable housing units to improve the durability of the structures and reduce long-term maintenance costs – a crucial factor for low-income housing.” Despite the benefits, he believes the use of glass fibres in structural concrete in India is still in its early stages. “There’s immense potential for wider adoption across public infrastructure, residential buildings, and even commercial construction.” Quick Bytes• Concrete is considered green if it:- Is produced using energy-efficient methods- Enhances the durability and lifespan of the built structure-Is transported using eco-friendly means• Trials are recommended to determine replacement levels and optimal mixing times.QuoteRapid urbanisation and expanding infrastructure reinforce the urgency to adopt climate-conscious construction practices. - Shekhar Patel, President, CREDAISome construction projects such as data centres specify the carbon saving that should be achieved. - Mahendra Babre, General Manager Quality, KalpataruSupplementary cementitious materials can enhance resistance to chemical attacks. - T Chandra Sekhar, Director Technical, Aparna EnterprisesOur green concrete matches regular concrete in cost and workability. - Anil Banchhor, Managing Director & CEO, RDC Concrete (India)We view steel fibres not just as additives but enablers of a greener construction ecosystem. - Danush Doongaji, Director, Stewols Bansal IndiaCarbon taxes, awareness and training, and demos could drive the adoption of green concrete. - G Boopathi, Director, Uniqcore Constructions India