India Launches First-Ever National Hackathon for Sustainable Cement Solutions

In a move that could redefine the future of one of India’s most emission-intensive industries, the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) has rolled out a first-of-its-kind innovation sprint—“CemHack for Green Infra”—to spark ideas, nurture entrepreneurship, and fast-track sustainable breakthroughs in cement and construction.

Held at the NCB’s Ballabgarh campus, this national-level hackathon marks a significant turning point for the sector. With climate concerns growing louder and sustainability no longer just a buzzword but a necessity, this initiative blends research, innovation, and real-world applicability to explore green infrastructure solutions.

The energy at the launch event was palpable. The gathering brought together sharp young minds, top industry leaders, research scholars, and government officials under one roof. Their mission: to hack their way into a cleaner, greener future for India’s cement industry.

Who’s Behind the Movement?

The launch was spearheaded by several key figures:

• Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, officially inaugurated the hackathon. His words echoed the urgency for academic institutions—especially IITs, NITs, and regional colleges—to engage more actively in transforming industrial innovation.

• Prof. K K Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, brought an academic edge to the event, sharing ongoing collaborations with NCB, including futuristic projects like plasma-based electrification and carbon capture & utilization (CCU).

• Neeraj Akhoury, Chairman of NCB and MD of Shree Cement Ltd., emphasized the cement industry’s readiness to embrace change. He highlighted Shree Cement’s existing partnership with StartUp India, reinforcing their intent to back young disruptors.

• Dr. L P Singh, Director General, NCB, brought the spotlight back to India’s Net Zero targets. He announced an exciting new project—backed by the Department of Science & Technology—where NCB, IIT Roorkee, and J K Cement Ltd. will co-develop CCU test beds. A dedicated Centre of Excellence for CCU is also on the horizon.

The event was also graced by Dr. S K Chaturvedi, Joint Director and Secretary, NCB, who acknowledged support from leading cement companies like JSW Cement and J K Cement, and Dr. Kapil Kukreja, GM & Incharge, NCB Incubation Centre, who detailed the structure of the competition.

What is CemHack?

Unlike traditional hackathons that might only focus on apps or software, CemHack is a hard-tech challenge—an open call to rethink the way India builds.

Organised by the NCB Incubation Centre (NCB-IC), this competition invites startups, individuals, students, and scholars to tackle real-world challenges faced by the cement sector. There are two distinct tracks:

• Track 1: Startups, working professionals, and individuals

• Track 2: Students, research scholars, and academic institutions

Participants will work on six innovation themes, which are deeply aligned with India's green goals:

1. Green Cement: Focused on alternative materials, binders, and the integration of AI/ML.

2. Green Processes: Emphasis on cleaner production methods using hydrogen, solar thermal, microgrids, and alternative fuels.

3. Green Concrete: Encouraging novel materials and applications.

4. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS): Developing scalable models to trap and repurpose carbon.

5. Logistics & Supply Chain Management: Making supply chains smarter and greener.

6. Net Zero and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Driving the larger vision of environmental responsibility.

With no participation fee, the hackathon opens its doors wide to every thinker and tinkerer passionate about innovation. And to sweeten the deal, cash prizes and mentorship opportunities await the best ideas:

Track 1 – Startups/Professionals

• 1st Prize: ₹1,00,000

• 2nd Prize: ₹50,000

• 3rd Prize: ₹30,000
  (All winners receive incubation support from NCB-IC)

Track 2 – Students/Academia

• 1st Prize: ₹75,000

• 2nd Prize: ₹35,000

• 3rd Prize: ₹15,000
  (With certificates and mentoring from experts)

Why This Matters: Cementing the Future

The Indian cement industry is the second largest in the world, and while it has seen rapid growth, it also contributes significantly to carbon emissions. Initiatives like CemHack reflect a conscious shift—from being part of the problem to being the platform for solutions.

And this isn’t just about winning prizes or showing off ideas. The NCB Incubation Centre, launched in May 2024, plays a pivotal role here. It serves as a full-spectrum support hub for startups—from idea to execution. By backing innovative solutions, it hopes to bridge the gap between research labs and real-world applications, especially in sectors that are traditionally slower to evolve.

With the launch of “CemHack for Green Infra,” India is not just encouraging students and entrepreneurs to ideate—it’s urging them to act.

A Call to the Builders of Tomorrow

The hackathon is more than a competition. It’s an invitation to contribute to a national mission—to decarbonize one of the largest industries and help India meet its Net Zero vision.

For startups looking to scale, students looking for purpose, or researchers ready to disrupt—this is the moment to jump in.

Will you be the one to reimagine India’s concrete future?

Applications are now open, and the innovation wave has just begun.