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.