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LC3 cement

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LC3 is a new type of cement that is based on a blend of limestone and calcined clay. LC3 can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40 percent, is made using limestone and low-grade clays which are available in abundant quantities,is cost effective and does not require capital intensive modifications to existing cement plants.

The objective of the LC3-Project is, through research and testing, to make LC3 standard and mainstream general-use cement in the global cement market.

The main research activities focus not only on specific thematic areas of cement research but also on production, environmental sustainability and cost effectiveness of this new cement.

With funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through its Global Programme in Climate Change, that has been able to bring the idea of the LC3-technology from the lab in Switzerland to all parts of the world.

Difference between LC3 and conventional Portland cement

Traditional Portland cement consists of 95% clinker. The production of it is energy-intensive and responsible for most of the CO2 within the cement. By reducing the clinker-content with so called Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs), large CO2-savings can be achieved.

LC3 is a new blend of two materials which have a synergetic effect. can reduce half of the clinker content and thereby cut up to 40% of the CO2-emissions. Furthermore, LC3 uses industrial waste materials which thereby increase the resource efficiency and reduce the utilization of the scarce raw materials that are necessary for producing clinker.

How to produce LC3?

To produce LC3, existing equipment can be used. The production line has to be adjusted since Limestone and Calcined Clay are added. The LC3-blend consists of the following materials:

Clinker that needs to be burnt at very high temperatures between 1400 and 1500?C.

  • Calcined clays are burnt at approximately 800?C.

  • Limestone is added without processing

  • Gypsum for workability

LC3-has been used in many different regions and different scales. Overall, more than 25 applications were already built with LC3. In Latin America, several applications have been built. They are mainly in Cuba but also in other countries. Among those applications are a LC3-house, testing sites in the sea, art sculptures and pavements.

In India, the most prominent project is the model Jhansi, India. This house is made 98% out of LC3 and it used 26.6 t of industrial waste (192 kg/sqm) and Saved 15.5 t of CO2 (114 kg/sqm). These CO2-savings are similar to the emissions of 10 passengers traveling by plane from Switzerland to South Africa.

Model house in Jhansi

But there are also numerous other projects in India. For example, the offices of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in the compound of the Swiss Embassy in Delhi were built with LC3-prefab materials. Furthermore, some roads, a check damn and pavements were built.You find a selection of these applications on the photos.

Swiss Embassy building in Delhi Check dam in Orchha CO2-savings LC3 saves up to 40% of CO2 as compared to Ordinary Portland Cement. Most of the CO2 comes from the clinkerisation process. Therefore, reducing the clinker factor and replacing it with SCMs is the fastest intervention to save high numbers of CO2.

Within the clinker production, there are two main sources of CO2. Firstly, clinker needs to be burnt at very high temperatures between 1400 and 1500?C. Secondly, CO2 embodied in limestone is released during production. Reducing the clinker content therefore means to save both energy-related and emobied CO2.

Resource-savings

Utilization of lower grade material for LC3. Clay waste e.g. ceramic or cosmetic industry Less purity of limestone required, e.g. dolomite presence Using existing deposits of waste materials Low prices for the raw materials. Avoiding creating waste. Avoiding cost (e.g. for landfill taxes)

High performance

For more than 10 years, the prestigious research institutes EPFL, IIT Delhi and Madras and CIDEM have tested LC3 in all different aspects and came to the result LC3 reaches OPC – CEM I performance.

Not only in lab conditions but also through industrial trials and applications these findings were confirmed. They are constantly monitored in existing LC3-applications in different parts of the world and environments (e.g. marine or high-altitude applications).

Globally scalable

The raw materials limestone and calcined clay are abundantly available worldwide. Other commonly used Supplementary Cementitious Materials like fly ash or slag are already fully used and cannot be scaled for the use in cement. Furthermore, with increasing focus on sustainability more and more coal power and steel production plants are expected to be closed. This will further cut the supply of these materials as SCMs. The only material largely available and in sufficient quantity are kaolinitic clays.

Cost-effective

Different scenarios of producing LC3 were analysed financially in a study by the cement market experts. Their results showed that with a cement plant, grinding plant or Greenfield scenario the production of LC3 is profitable. The main indicator for driving the profitability is the close access to suitable clays.

Overall, the production cost can be up to 25% lower for LC3 than for OPC due to savings for energy and material. This is without additional policy incentives, such as green funds or carbon certificates, which can further increase the attractiveness for cement producers.

Ready to be implemented

LC3 is a technology which is market-ready and it is already produced in several plants in the world. The sooner the technology is rolled out globally; the more CO2-emissions can be avoided.

The already existing readiness of the technology for the industrial uptake is an important distinction compared to other green technologies.

Furthermore, LC3 can be used without additional training by builders. In India, demo constructions were built without further providing training.

Source: LC3 website.

Concrete

JK Lakshmi Advances LC3 Cement Expansion

Company highlights commercial production and research partnerships

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The meeting reviewed progress in limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) technology and its commercial adoption in India’s cement sector, focusing on low-carbon alternatives to conventional binders. JK Lakshmi Cement noted that limestone calcined clay cement can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 per cent compared with conventional cement and said this reduction supports industry decarbonisation. The company highlighted that it was among the first two cement manufacturers in India to move LC3 into commercial production after the Bureau of Indian Standards approved the technology as a cement standard.

Vinita Singhania said the transition of LC3 from research to commercial production reflected collaboration between industry, academia and international institutions. Maya Tissafi acknowledged JK Lakshmi Cement’s role in advancing LC3 adoption in India and its contribution in taking the technology from laboratory trials to commercial implementation. Both representatives underlined the growing relevance of sustainable construction materials as India expands infrastructure and urban development.

The meeting explored continued collaboration with Swiss research institutions such as EPFL, EMPA and ETH Zurich alongside Indian academic partners and development organisations. JK Lakshmi Cement has been associated with the LC3 initiative since 2014 and worked with EPFL, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, Development Alternatives and Technology and Action for Rural Advancement. The company conducted one of the earliest industrial trials of LC3 and recently announced commercial production of Green Pro LC3 cement from its Jaykaypuram plant in Rajasthan.

India remains the world’s second-largest cement producer and expansion of infrastructure, urbanisation and housing demand continue to support long-term sector growth, increasing interest in low-carbon technologies. The company reported an annual turnover of more than Rupees (Rs) 60 bn and current cement capacity of about 18 million (mn) tonnes (t) per annum, with a target of reaching 30 million (mn) tonnes (t) by 2030. Apart from grey cement, the company also makes ready-mix concrete, gypsum plaster, wall putty, primers, adhesives and fly ash blocks, and both sides concluded on the need for continued collaboration to develop sustainable construction solutions.

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Concrete

Burnpur Cement Reports Standalone Net Loss Of Rs 207.4 Million

Standalone net loss of Rs 207.4 mn in March 2026 quarter

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Burnpur Cement reported a standalone net loss of Rs 207.4 million (Rs 207.4 million) for the quarter ended March 2026. The company said the loss reflects its financial performance for the period and will be reflected in its results filed with regulators. The announcement followed routine quarterly reporting by the listed cement manufacturer. Burnpur Cement is a cement manufacturer operating in India and serving construction markets, with operations spanning production, distribution and sales across the domestic construction sector.

The March 2026 quarter result marks a weakening in profitability for Burnpur Cement as market conditions in the sector remained challenging. The company attributed the outcome to operational and market factors, while outlining measures to manage costs and working capital. The reported standalone loss of Rs 207.4 million will be central to assessments by analysts and investors, which will be weighed alongside sector trends and company guidance. Management indicated continued focus on stabilising operations and optimising production efficiency.

No further numerical details were included in the initial summary, and consolidated figures were not disclosed in the brief notice, constraining immediate analysis of underlying drivers. The firm reiterated that it will provide comprehensive results and explanatory notes in its annual filing and investor communications. Analysts will assess the full disclosures when detailed financial statements become available. The timing of those detailed filings will determine how soon stakeholders can access full data.

Investors and stakeholders were advised to review the filings and the company’s releases for complete information, including cash flow and segmental performance, before drawing investment conclusions. The company’s operations and future guidance will determine recovery prospects in subsequent quarters. Regulatory disclosures and investor communications will guide market interpretation of the quarter and inform analyst forecasts. Burnpur Cement remains subject to the regulatory reporting process applicable to listed entities.

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Concrete

Ramco Cements Campaign Wins Six Kyoorius Honours

Hard Worker campaign wins Grand Prix for Eco Plaster film

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The Ramco Cements Limited’s Hard Worker campaign has achieved a major milestone at the prestigious Kyoorius Creative Awards, winning six honours including the coveted Grey Elephant Grand Prix for the Eco Plaster film. The awards were announced and presented at the Kyoorius Creative Awards Night 2026 held on 23rd May 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

Competing alongside some of the country’s leading brands and agencies, the campaign received recognition across multiple creative categories, reaffirming the power of authentic storytelling rooted in the lives of hardworking people. The Eco Plaster commercial, which highlighted the importance of water conservation through innovative construction solutions, emerged as the campaign’s biggest winner, securing most of the honours.

The campaign’s wins include: 
Grey Elephant (Grand Prix) – Eco Plaster 
Blue Elephant – Best Film – Eco Plaster
Blue Elephant – Best Direction – Eco Plaster
Blue Elephant – Best Music – Eco Plaster
Baby Elephant – Best Direction -Tortoise & Hare
Baby Elephant – Best Use of Humour – Eco Plaster

Established in 2014, the Kyoorius Creative Awards recognise and celebrate creative excellence across India’s advertising, marketing and communications industries. Presented by Zee Entertainment Enterprises and powered by the USA-based The Clio Awards, the awards are regarded among the country’s most respected creative honours.

Known for their ethical and neutral judging process, the Kyoorius Creative Awards evaluate work purely on merit through a non-hierarchical awards structure, without Gold, Silver or Bronze distinctions. The iconic Elephant symbolises memorable work that leaves a lasting impact on the industry.

The Hard Worker campaign by The Ramco Cements Limited was conceived around the insight that true strength and progress are built through everyday hard work. Through emotionally resonant storytelling, distinctive craft and culturally rooted narratives, the campaign connected strongly with audiences across markets. The integrated campaign was rolled out across television, digital platforms, outdoor media and extensive on-ground activations, helping strengthen the brand’s connect with consumers, engineers, masons and trade communities alike.

Commenting on the achievement, A V Dharmakrishnan, CEO of Ramco Cements, said: “Winning at the Kyoorius Creative Awards is a proud moment for all of us. The Hard Worker campaign was created as a tribute to the spirit of hardworking people who form the backbone of our industry and our nation. These recognitions reaffirm our belief that authentic, meaningful storytelling has the power to create a deep and lasting connection with people.”

Balaji K Moorthy, Executive Director – Marketing, Ramco Cements, added: “The Hard Worker campaign was built on a simple but powerful insight – that hard work deserves recognition and respect. We wanted the communication to feel rooted, emotional and culturally relevant while also pushing creative boundaries. Winning six honours, including the Grey Elephant Grand Prix, is a tremendous validation of the idea, the craft and the collaborative effort of everyone involved in the campaign.”

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