Sugarcrete® builds a sustainable school and future in India

UEL is making strides in sustainable construction with its ground-breaking Sugarcrete® project, which has now been used to build a school in India.

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UEL is making strides in sustainable construction with its ground-breaking Sugarcrete® project, which has now been used to build a school in India.

Published

13 January 2025

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Sugarcrete® has been used to build India’s first school constructed from the innovative material. This milestone highlights UEL’s commitment to addressing global challenges through research and innovation.

Leading the way in low-carbon construction

Sugarcrete® is a low-carbon alternative to traditional bricks and concrete blocks, crafted from sugarcane by-products (bagasse) and sand-mineral binders. With a carbon footprint six times smaller than conventional clay bricks, Sugarcrete® offers a sustainable solution to the construction industry’s environmental impact. The school, located in a sugar-producing region of India, serves as a Skill Development Hub and provides an opportunity to test the material’s buildability, operational performance, and environmental benefits.

Alan Chandler, Associate at UEL’s Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), reflected on the significance of the project:

This initiative showcases how Sugarcrete® can help communities transition to sustainable building practices. It also highlights challenges, such as ensuring the availability of materials and skills for specific applications, but our partnerships are paving the way for a low-carbon future.

Five students sit on the floor learning, inside the Sugarcrete school as teacher walks between them
Image captionStudents inside the Sugarcrete® school.

Global partnerships and real-world testing

The Sugarcrete® project, developed through a collaboration between UEL’s MArch Architecture programme, the SRI, and Chemical Systems Technologies (CST) in India, exemplifies the power of global partnerships. CST’s founder, Sunil Singhal, emphasised the impact: “With India producing 400 million tons of sugarcane annually, the potential for large-scale positive change is immense. This partnership is pioneering a sustainable innovation that can transform construction practices.”

After the school’s completion in September 2024, Chandler visited the site to collaborate with monitoring partners at the University of Delhi School of Architecture and Planning. Data collection on insulation, moisture buffering, and acoustics will validate Sugarcrete®’s performance in real-world conditions. The project also involves feedback from students and staff, with the school’s principal, Dr Neeraj Tandan, noting, “The building’s design aligns with our ethos, showcasing sustainability in action and providing a unique learning experience for our students.”

Expanding sustainability worldwide

UEL is extending Sugarcrete®’s reach to other sugar-producing regions, including Brazil, Costa Rica, Kenya, and Mexico. Armor Gutierrez, Senior Lecturer in Architecture at UEL and co-creator of Sugarcrete®, said:

Expanding to new regions allows us to explore diverse applications. For example, in Costa Rica, Sugarcrete® can offer a sustainable alternative in rainforests where carbon-intensive materials are restricted.

The material’s versatility is further demonstrated by its use in projects such as a prototype at the Burning Man festival in Nevada, USA, showcasing its potential across different contexts.

Man adds Sugarcrete blocks to a wall, he is wearing a blue t shirt.

Recognising excellence

Sugarcrete® has received numerous accolades, including an Honourable Mention at the 2024 Design Intelligence Awards, the Built by Nature Prize, and recognition in the circular economy section of the Climate Positive Awards. It has also been nominated for the Earthshot Prize and the Green Gown Awards, among others.

Professor David Tann, Vice Provost (Technology) and Executive Dean of the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering at UEL, expressed his pride in the project: “Sugarcrete® exemplifies UEL’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. This initiative aligns with our Vision 2028 ambition to lead in climate-resilient solutions and foster impactful research for global benefit.”

The Sugarcrete® project is a shining example of UEL’s dedication to sustainability and innovation, advancing global efforts to tackle climate change through practical, scalable solutions.

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Sugarcrete® India

Sugarcrete®, a low-carbon alternative to bricks and concrete blockwork developed by the University of East London (UEL), has been used to build a school in India in collaboration with Chemical Systems Technologies. The building is the first Sugarcrete® prototype which will enable the team to test the operational performance of the material. As part of the Panchsheel Inter College, it will be used as a sustainability laboratory for the students in this sugar-producing region of India.

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