In a major push for industrial decarbonisation, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has unveiled five pioneering Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in India’s cement sector—marking the country’s first coordinated research and innovation cluster aimed at reducing industrial emissions.
Announced during National Technology Day celebrations on 11 May 2025, the initiative signals a decisive step towards achieving India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and its broader commitment to a net-zero economy by 2070. The testbeds are being established under a unique Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, bringing together premier research institutions and major cement manufacturers in a collaborative effort.
Launched by the Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division of the DST, the initiative follows a special call for academia-industry consortia proposals to deploy CCU technologies in the cement industry. The goal is to demonstrate integrated units combining carbon capture with utilisation technologies in operational industrial settings.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and other key departments, officially announced the five testbeds and presented grants to the participating teams. The event was attended by key figures including DST Secretary Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary DBT Dr Rajesh Gokhale, TDB Secretary Dr Rajesh Pathak, and CEST Head Dr Anita Gupta.
Carbon Capture and Utilisation is seen as a critical technology for hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, steel, chemicals, power, and oil & gas. In the cement sector specifically, CCU can enable the conversion of industrial carbon dioxide into value-added products like synthetic fuels, fertilisers, soda ash, food-grade CO₂, or concrete aggregates. These testbeds will help validate such technologies and provide a proof-of-concept for wider commercial adoption.
Each of the five testbeds will explore distinct technological approaches — from advanced catalytic processes to vacuum-based gas separation — under real-world industrial conditions. Their deployment is expected to provide valuable insights for reducing the emission intensity of cement production and support the development of cost-effective pathways for producing “green cement.”
“Concrete is fundamental to India’s infrastructure and economy. Decarbonising the cement industry is key to achieving our climate targets,” said Prof Karandikar. “These testbeds will play a vital role in demonstrating how carbon capture can work in the Indian context, with technologies developed and adapted locally.”
The DST envisions that continued R&D through these platforms will lead to innovations in catalysts, reactor systems, electrolyser technology, and supporting electronics—potentially making CCU-based green cement production more economically viable in the long term.
More than academic research, the initiative aims to instil confidence among industrial stakeholders and policymakers by showcasing scalable models of CCU deployment. It also aligns with India’s industrial transition roadmap, promoting sustainable development without compromising productivity.
The five CCU testbeds, while experimental in design, are positioned as transformative pilot projects that can catalyse India’s journey toward a low-carbon industrial future.
