The construction industry is revolutionizing all across the world, including India. With the rising environmental regulations, net-zero targets, and client demand for sustainable infrastructure, builders can no longer rely on traditional Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) alone.
That’s shifting builders toward low-carbon and eco-friendly construction additives. Here is a blog that explores low-carbon concrete additives, like a patented geopolymer additive Navosil™ from Navozzo Materials Pvt. Ltd and other green innovations, are transforming the modern-day construction industry.
Why Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) Is Becoming A Challenge
No doubt, OPC has been the backbone of modern construction for over a century. However, its production process, specifically clinker calcination, is one of the most carbon-intensive industrial operations worldwide. Wondering why? Here are the challenges associated with OPC:
- The production of OPC emits about 820-1000 kg CO₂ per tonne.
- Moreover, it accounts for up to 8% of global carbon emissions
- It also demands high energy and raw material consumption (limestone, water, fuel)
And, day by day, the global governments are switching to sustainable projects. In fact, green certification has become a key metric in most urban developments. Therefore, builders nowadays are looking for sustainable alternatives that don’t compromise performance or cost.
What are Low-Carbon Additives?
As the name itself suggests, Low-Carbon Additives minimize the carbon release and consumption of cement.
Green Additives replace cement content, to an extent, with industrial by-products or specially engineered materials that require less energy, emit less CO₂, and support circular economy initiatives. Geopolymer Additives like Navosil™ are leading the innovation in the Low-Carbon Additives segment.
The Rise of Green Construction Materials in India
India, with its 600+ MTPA cement production capacity, is now shifting to eco-friendly alternatives, which are:
- Cost-effective
- Better performing under extreme conditions
- Environmentally responsible
Here Comes Navosil™: The Next-Gen Cement Additive
One of the most promising innovations in the world of green additives is Navosil™, a high-performance, concrete additive developed by Navozzo Materials Pvt. Ltd. It is an advanced material for M25-M40 standard grade concrete, offering 2-5% cost savings per m3 of concrete, while improving environmental performance by reducing the OPC use in the design mix to an extent.
How Is It Used
By partially replacing OPC in concrete mixes, additives like Navosil™ reduce the carbon footprint without compromising constructive performance and durability. The following tables provides details on the applications of Navosil™:
| M25 – M40 Grade Concrete Mix Design |
Traditional Design Mix (in Kgs) | Proposed Design Mix (in Kgs) | Changes (in Kgs) |
| OPC 43/53 | 210–260 | 180–220 | 20–50 |
| Fly Ash | 100–120 | 100–120 | – |
| Navosil™ (% of original cementitious weight) | 1%–2% | 3–6 |
Net Cost Savings: Rs. 50–Rs. 150 per m3.
Why Builders Are Choosing Low-Carbon Additives
Here are the top reasons why builders in 2025 are choosing to incorporate low-carbon Additives into their concrete.
- Massive CO₂ Reduction: Navosil™ can reduce OPC consumption which will result in a massive reduction in CO2 emissions, with a potential to reduce 14 Million tons of CO2 in India.
- Long-Term Durability: Navosil™ can enhance the final concrete and exhibit higher resistance to sulphates, chlorides, and reduced alkali-silica reactivity.
- Optimized Thermal Performance: Addition of Navosil™ in concrete design mix generates lower heat of hydration, reducing thermal cracking in mass pours.
- Lower Permeability: Navosil™ improves pore refinement, minimizing water ingress and improving structural performance. This also prevents iron rods and elements used in building from losing their strength.
- Circular Economy: That’s one of the most underrated advantages of Navosil™. Using mining waste helps divert waste and reduces the mining of virgin resources.
- Cost Efficiency: Contrary to popular belief, using Navosil™ does not mean higher cost. Choosing an alternative like Navosil™ assures you of powerful performance at a better economy.
Where Can You Use Low-Carbon Additives?
Low-carbon materials like Navosil™ are suitable for:
- High-rise buildings
- Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC)
- Dry Lean Concrete (DLC)
- Precast elements and blocks
- Industrial flooring
- All structural and non-structural concrete applications
Moreover, Navosil’s™ High Grade variant is ideal for M50–M120+ concrete used in metro rail infrastructure, and heavy loading zones.
Choose the Right Low-Carbon Additives for a Sustainable Future
As a builder, if you’re planning a commercial, infrastructure, or residential project in 2025, ask yourself:
- Is your concrete a low-carbon option?
- Can your mix benefit from low-carbon additives?
- Is the supplier part of a circular economy initiative?
And, if the answer is ‘no’, it is time to explore clinker-free additives and connect with eco-friendly building material companies like Navozzo.
We provide a win-win constructive solution that is environment-friendly, technically strong, and economically feasible.
