MAY 22: In a significant step toward promoting green technology in the construction and cement industries, the “CemHack for Green Infra” hackathon was launched on 20th May 2025 by Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The event was held at the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) in Ballabgarh and coincided with the first anniversary of the NCB Incubation Centre (NCB-IC).
Shri Sanjiv commended the NCB-IC for its efforts in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the cement ecosystem. He encouraged participation from prestigious institutions such as IITs, NITs, and technical universities, expressing optimism that the hackathon would generate breakthrough solutions and nurture successful startups.
Organized by NCB-IC, the hackathon serves as a national-level innovation platform aimed at solving real-world challenges in the cement and construction sectors. The competition features two tracks—one for startups, professionals, and individuals; the other for students and academia. Participation is free, and entries are open from 20th May to 20th July 2025 through the NCB website.
The hackathon invites innovative ideas under six thematic areas: Green Cement, Green Process, Green Concrete, Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS), Logistics & Supply Chain, and achieving Net Zero goals. Top entries stand a chance to win cash prizes of up to ₹1 lakh and receive incubation and mentorship opportunities at NCB-IC.
Dr. Kapil Kukreja, GM & In-charge of NCB-IC, emphasized the hackathon’s role in commercializing grassroots innovations and supporting entrepreneurial ventures. He highlighted that the initiative aligns with national sustainability goals and the growing demand for eco-friendly construction solutions.
Dr. L P Singh, Director General of NCB, stressed the strategic importance of the hackathon in accelerating sustainability efforts in the industry. He noted key achievements such as a CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization) test bed developed in collaboration with IIT Roorkee and JK Cement Ltd., and announced plans to establish a Centre of Excellence for CCU at NCB.
The launch event drew participation from notable figures including Prof. K K Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee; Shri Neeraj Akhoury, Chairman of NCB and MD of Shree Cement Ltd.; along with students, research scholars, industry professionals, and scientists from NCB, marking a strong collaborative effort toward building a greener future for India’s infrastructure.
