UK-developed Sugarcrete used to build Indian school

Sugarcrete combines bagasse - the dry pulpy fibrous material that remains after crushing sugarcane and other crops – with sand mineral binders to create blocks. The material is claimed to be six times less carbon intensive than traditional bricks.

Sugarcrete was developed by engineers and scientists at the University of East London (UEL). According to the university, the material has high-quality mechanical, acoustic, fire and thermal properties, and has been tested to industry standards for fire resistance (ISO 1716:2021), compressive strength (ASTM C39), thermal conductivity (Hot-Box method) and durability (BS EN 927-6). These tests show that Sugarcrete has potential for applications including insulation panels, lightweight blocks, load-bearing blockwork and structural floor and roof slabs.

UEL partnered with India’s Chemical Systems Technologies (CST) to establish the first manufacturing facility for Sugarcrete, using locally sourced bagasse. Working alongside students from the Delhi School of Architecture and Planning, the UEL team designed the school building at Panchsheel Inter College in Uttar Pradesh. The building’s performance will now be monitored to further establish the material’s insulation, moisture resistance, and soundproofing properties.

“This project has taught us invaluable lessons about how Sugarcrete can enable communities to transition to sustainable building practices,” said Sugarcrete co-creator Alan Chandler, Associate of UEL’s Sustainability Research Institute (SRI).

“While we have learned how easy the blocks are to use, we’ve also identified challenges, such as ensuring the availability of materials and skills required for certain lime-based renders. With the dedication of our local partners, we are taking significant steps toward revolutionising construction and making low-carbon alternatives accessible and practical.” 

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The Sugarcrete team plans to expand its research to other sugar-producing regions around the world, with collaborations underway in Brazil, Costa Rica, Kenya, and Mexico. According to Sunil Singhal, co-founder of CST, the crop presents an enormous opportunity for sustainable construction materials.

“With India producing 400 million tons of sugarcane annually, it is one of the world’s largest biomass sources,” said Singhal, a chemical engineer with more than 35 years industry experience.

“The potential for large-scale positive social and environmental impact is immense, and we are excited to pioneer this groundbreaking innovation in the country.”