India’s air quality crisis has reached alarming levels, with the country ranking eighth in the list of nations with the worst air quality index in 2023. To address this pressing issue and contribute to a more carbon-neutral world, Hubballi-based startup CarbonCraft has embarked on an innovative mission. By harnessing the power of biomimicry and architectural intervention, CarbonCraft is producing tiles made from upcycled carbon—a groundbreaking endeavor that promises to revolutionize the construction industry.
India needs carbon neutrality
According to the Annual World Air Quality report by IQAir, India is plagued by poor air quality, with 12 Indian cities ranking among the 15 most-polluted cities in Central and South East Asia. Furthermore, a Lancet Study revealed that air pollution alone accounted for nearly 1.6 million deaths in 2019. Amid these startling statistics, it becomes crucial to find ways to offset the adverse effects of air pollution and work towards a more sustainable and carbon-neutral future.
CarbonCraft’s Innovative Approach to Combat Air Pollution
Tejas Sidnal, an architect and the founder of CarbonCraft Design, recognized the urgent need for architectural solutions to curb air pollution. With a deep interest in biomimicry—a practice that draws inspiration from nature’s strategies—he pursued a master’s degree in emergent technologies and design in London. Equipped with valuable knowledge in materials, design, and computational techniques, Sidnal returned to India in 2015, driven by a question: Can we build carbon-negative homes?
Building Carbon-Negative Homes with Upcycled Carbon Tiles
Sidnal’s journey led him to explore the development of building materials that would contribute to carbon-negative homes. After experimenting with various ideas, he discovered that tiles had the potential to be both scalable and commercially viable. CarbonCraft began procuring solid carbon waste from recycling factories, working with farmers to convert stubble into a carbon-rich byproduct, and capturing particulate matter directly from the air. These carbon sources, combined with marble chips, powder, stone, quarry dust, and a small amount of cement, are processed at CarbonCraft’s facility in Hubballi.
Four-Stage Process for Creating Environmentally Friendly Tiles
CarbonCraft employs a proprietary four-stage process for manufacturing its tiles. First, they collect carbon black, industrial waste, or carbon dioxide from direct air capture partners. Next, these materials are combined with other ingredients and processed at the Hubballi facility. The resulting mixture is sent to a tile factory in Morbi, Gujarat, where skilled artisans use traditional handcrafting techniques to create the tiles. Finally, the tiles are “cured” for six hours, during which time the captured carbon further contributes to their carbon-negative properties.
Overcoming Challenges and Scaling Up for Market Disruption
CarbonCraft faces challenges in building awareness and establishing eco-friendly building materials as a viable choice for consumers. To achieve scalability and competitive pricing, the company aims to increase its capacity and streamline its value chain.
Securing investments for equipment, machinery, and research and development remains a significant hurdle. However, with the rising demand for environment, social, and governance-driven practices, corporate organizations and builders are increasingly interested in showcasing their commitment to carbon-negative impacts.
CarbonCraft’s Future Goals and Impact
Having already sold 10,000 square feet of tiles, CarbonCraft aims to reduce the price of its tiles to Rs 100 per square foot. In the long run, the company plans to license its technology to existing players in the industry, enabling the widespread adoption of carbon-negative building materials. By diversifying their product range to include aggregates, panels, blocks, and other décor elements, CarbonCraft envisions becoming the leading provider of complete carbon-negative solutions—a pioneer in creating sustainable homes for a better future.
