India’s first Sugarcrete® school marks major milestone
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Published
07 March 2025
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A University of East London (UEL) delegation has returned from a high-impact research trip to India, celebrating the inauguration of the country’s first Sugarcrete® school building at Panchsheel Balak Inter College (PBIC), Noida. The eco-friendly classroom, made from sugarcane by-product bagasse and mineral binders, sets a new standard for low-carbon construction and positive community engagement.
Led by Senior Lecturer and Sugarcrete® co-creator, Armor Gutierrez Rivas, the team built on UEL’s strong ties with Indian partners, delivering knowledge-sharing workshops, seminars and community consultations across the region. They also introduced new collaborations to develop sustainable building solutions and address key social needs.
Building local partnerships and empowering communities
One focus of the trip was the Paryatan Foundation, an NGO supporting children in vulnerable situations. UEL’s Master of Architecture (MArch) Unit 8 students, under the guidance of Armor Gutierrez Rivas and Rosa Rogina, are co-designing a new facility for 150 children, fostering safe learning spaces and mentorship opportunities. This shared project promotes Sugarcrete® as a cost-effective, low-carbon alternative to traditional bricks.
In Hisar, the delegation led a workshop with Guru Dakar Government Polytechnic (GDGP), where local students and academics are exploring the use of natural fibres and dyes in new construction. Together, they aim to harness India’s rich biodiversity to reduce overheating in buildings.
Strengthening research ties
UEL introduced its Vision 2028 at CCSHAU Haryana Agricultural University, sparking discussions on joint research, training and curriculum development. A high-level session with CCSHAU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor B.R. Kamboj and College of Agriculture Dean Dr. S.K. Pahuja solidified plans to expand collaborative projects, culminating in an MoU. This partnership paves the way for more in-depth study of sustainable agro-waste materials and their impact on rural development.
Celebrating the Sugarcrete® School in Noida
The highlight of the trip was the official opening of the PBIC Sugarcrete® School, attended by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Member of Parliament in the Government of India. As the country’s first building to use Sugarcrete®, the project showcases how an innovative, lighter-weight block with a negative carbon footprint can help reduce harmful emissions, protect farmers’ topsoil and generate employment.
During the event, Armor Gutierrez Rivas and Chemical Systems Technologies (CST) Founder Sunil Shingal signed an MoU to broaden Sugarcrete’s reach in India. UEL also established a study group with PBIC and Delhi Technological University researchers to monitor the building’s performance and develop future curriculum collaborations.
Looking ahead
Alan Chandler, co-creator of Sugarcrete® and UEL Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) Associate, noted the significance of global partnerships:
This milestone underlines how innovative collaborations can drive positive, real-world impacts. We’re connecting different communities, sharing expertise, and accelerating the shift to more sustainable building approaches.
The success in Noida paves the way for further Sugarcrete® implementations across India. From rural development to urban projects, UEL’s growing network of partners, including NGOs, government institutions, industry representatives, farmers, and students, underscores the collaborative spirit needed to bring about transformative, low-carbon solutions that support environmental protection and social progress.
For more details on the Sugarcrete® project or to explore partnership opportunities, please email sustainability@uel.ac.uk.