The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) India–NCB Carbon Uptake Report was recently released during the 63rd Foundation Day celebrations of the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB). On the occasion, a Gypsum Board Testing Laboratory and a Micro-Characterisation Laboratory were also inaugurated, strengthening India’s research and quality infrastructure for construction materials.
The laboratories were inaugurated by Urmila, Economic Advisor, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and Mohd. Kamal Ahmad, Special Director General, Central Public Works Department (CPWD), in the presence of L. P. Singh, Director General, NCB.
The newly established Gypsum Board Testing Laboratory will support quality assurance and standardisation requirements of the gypsum board industry, particularly in the context of the Gypsum-Based Building Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024. The Micro-Characterisation Laboratory is equipped with advanced analytical tools for detailed investigation of cementitious and construction materials.
Addressing the gathering, Ms Urmila highlighted NCB’s sustained contributions to research, technology development, quality assurance and capacity building for the cement sector. Shri Mohd. Kamal Ahmad also commended NCB’s role in promoting sustainable construction practices through focused research and development.
The GCCA India–NCB report titled Carbon Uptake by Concrete assesses CO? uptake through carbonation in concrete under Indian conditions. Prepared in collaboration with the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) India, the study is based on the Tier-I methodology of IVL Swedish Environment Research Institute. It notes that while the cement industry contributes around seven per cent of global anthropogenic emissions, carbon uptake by concrete can partially offset process-related emissions.
The report outlines future actions to improve data robustness, refine estimation methodologies and support integration of carbon uptake into national sustainability and climate reporting frameworks. It will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for consideration of inclusion as a carbon sink in India’s National Communications to the UNFCCC.
