As India strides toward achieving its climate goals and sustainable development commitments, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has launched a pioneering effort to catalyze green innovation in the cement and construction sector. The Grand Finale of “CemHack for Green Infra”, organized by the National Council for Cement and Building Materials – Incubation Centre (NCB-IC), marked a defining moment in promoting sustainable, technology-led growth for one of India’s most vital industries.
Cementing a Greener Future
Launched on 20 May 2025 by Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary (Cement), DPIIT, CemHack for Green Infra is India’s first national-level hackathon dedicated to the cement and construction ecosystem. The initiative sought to identify and support innovative, sustainable, and scalable solutions that address real-world challenges faced by the cement sector — from decarbonization to waste utilization.
The hackathon received an overwhelming response with 125 participating teams, including 47 teams under Track 1 (Startups, Professionals, Individuals) and 78 teams under Track 2 (Students, Research Scholars, Academia). Participants hailed from prestigious institutions such as IITs, NITs, IISc, and DTU, along with leading startups across India. After four intense rounds of evaluation, four finalists were selected under each track for the grand finale.
Supported by DPIIT, Startup India, UltraTech Cement Ltd., JSW Cement Ltd., JK Cement Ltd., and Shree Cement Ltd., the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs — all united by the goal of building a more sustainable construction ecosystem.
Innovation for Green Infrastructure
The hackathon featured diverse themes aimed at reshaping the cement and construction landscape:
- Green Cement: Alternative raw materials, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and new binders.
- Green Process: Hydrogen, solar thermal, waste heat recovery, and alternative fuels.
- Green Concrete: Sustainable and novel concrete materials.
- Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).
- Logistics and Supply Chain Optimization.
- Achieving Net Zero and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through these focus areas, the hackathon encouraged participants to apply AI, machine learning, and digital technologies for improving sustainability, reducing emissions, and promoting circularity in cement manufacturing and construction processes.
Recognizing Innovation and Excellence
The winners of CemHack for Green Infra exemplified India’s creative and technical potential.
- Track 1 (Startups/Professionals):
🥇 TraceXero Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
🥈 Aventra Energy
🥉 Regal Rinse
🏅 LivNSense GreenOps Pvt. Ltd. (Consolation Prize) - Track 2 (Students/Academia):
🥇 Team Civil GPT (NIT Goa)
🥈 Team IIT Gandhinagar
🥉 Team ReCKon (DTU)
🏅 Team IISc Bangalore (Consolation Prize)
The winners received cash prizes, certificates, and incubation or mentorship opportunities at NCB’s Incubation Centre — a key platform for nurturing next-generation innovators in the construction materials sector.
On this occasion, Dr. Raju Goyal, Executive President and Chief Technical & Sustainability Officer at UltraTech Cement Ltd., was conferred the NCB Distinguished Alumni Award 2025 for his outstanding contribution to the cement industry.
A Collaborative Step Towards Net Zero
The Chairmen of Track 1 and Track 2, Dr. Raju Goyal and Shri Manoj Rustagi, lauded the innovative ideas presented by participants and emphasized the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and startups in driving sustainable transformation. They also commended Dr. L. P. Singh, Director General, NCB, for conceptualizing this pioneering initiative under the NCB-Incubation Centre framework.
Building the Foundations of a Sustainable Future
CemHack for Green Infra embodies the spirit of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating India’s technological ingenuity and entrepreneurial energy. By fostering research-driven innovation, supporting startups, and strengthening academia-industry partnerships, the initiative is shaping a resilient, low-carbon, and globally competitive cement sector.
As India builds its green infrastructure for the future, CemHack for Green Infra stands as a model of how collaboration, innovation, and sustainability can come together to construct not just buildings — but a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable nation.