Page 65 - CleanIndiaJournal June Digital Issue

Waste ManageMent

What does Eco Processing It is a natural thermal insulant. A
entail? house built from Gobcrete is likely
to remain cool indoors, even if
In the US, where Gobcrete outside temperatures rise.
was first prototyped, ARsoy, a Its water absorbance is the same
by-product of the food-grade soy as that of concrete; using it for
isolate production process is used construction can reduce costs by
in the development of Gobcrete. 40%, compared to conventional
Similarly, in India, an agro-waste- construction materials.
base binder is used. The binder
acts as an interface between slurry Through a life cycle analysis, we
and shale. have found that the binding agents
The components of Gobcrete used have a life of 120 years,
go through the physical change of while the other raw materials
hardening, as well as a patented (waste from coal mines) have been
biochemical process, during which shown to last for centuries. Over
it loses moisture. No external heat the natural course of time, the
is involved, and the entire process properties of Gobcrete will remain The process actually
is fuelled by solar power. constant. captures carbon dioxide
The process actually captures Conventional concrete has from the atmosphere
carbon dioxide from the various grades. Gobcrete offers the and stores it in the
atmosphere and stores it in the strength of M45 concrete while
product. By preventing coal waste utilising raw materials in the ratio product. By preventing
from harming the environment of M15 concrete. coal waste from harming
as well as trapping atmospheric At the end of its lifecycle, it can the environment as well
carbon dioxide, the process is be recycled back into the same as trapping atmospheric
carbon-positive. product, or broken down into the
Tell us more about original three ingredients: shale, carbon dioxide, the process
characteristics of Gobcrete itself. slurry powder and binder. is carbon-positive.

Dr Binish Desai

Clean India Journal•JUNE 2023 65
www.cleanindiajournal.com