Jodhpur: IIT Jodhpur on Wednesday unveiled a technology that converts agricultural residue and plastic waste into construction materials, pitching it as a cleaner and more sustainable option for the building sector.Led by Priyabrata Rautray, assistant professor at the School of Design, the innovation has produced two materials — Bio-Bricks and Agro-Plastic Blocks (APBs) — aimed at cutting pollution while putting waste to use.Rautray said Bio-Bricks are made from crop residue such as paddy straw, wheat straw and sugarcane waste. Unlike conventional bricks, they do not require kiln firing, a major source of air pollution. Instead, they are made through a low-energy process that produces durable building blocks. He said the bricks can absorb more carbon dioxide than is emitted during production, making them “carbon-negative”.The second product, Agro-Plastic Blocks, combines agricultural waste with mixed plastic waste. Through a heating and compression process, including the use of non-recyclable plastic, the waste is converted into strong construction blocks. The blocks also provide better insulation, helping keep buildings cooler and quieter.“Our aim is to treat waste as a resource rather than a problem. This technology shows that agricultural and plastic waste can be converted into valuable building materials. It can help address major environmental issues in India like stubble burning and plastic waste while also supporting the growing demand for affordable housing,” Rautray said.The institute said it has already demonstrated the feasibility of the materials by constructing prototype structures, including what it claims is India’s first structure built using Bio-Bricks. It is also developing a housing unit based on the material on campus.With research support and collaborations with local bodies, IIT Jodhpur is now looking to scale up the technology for rural housing and infrastructure.
