Sugarcrete's Journey from By-Product to Sustainable Wonder: Step Towards Green Architecture

Sugarcrete is made from bagasse and sand-mineral binders, resulting in low-carbon bricks.

[{"selector":"#anim-8c519a72-6785-461f-9e64-4a6d6c2e01e1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-23945728-241c-4f7d-991e-c24a85877609","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

The University of East London and Tate & Lyle Sugars developed Sugarcrete, nominated for the Earthshot Prize.

[{"selector":"#anim-3941bf8a-e824-4bd2-9bab-88c69c5cdadc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da60997d-57d9-408c-ad7c-cf76a05e2914","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

A prototype demountable floor-slab made from interlocking Sugarcrete blocks demonstrates its structural capacity.

[{"selector":"#anim-854dbb97-ecb8-402f-b9c1-03dd8e8b0f73 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4233d58a-f788-4f10-8ceb-9a679dc83de8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

Discussions are underway for building a school in India using sustainable Sugarcrete near a sugarcane plantation.

[{"selector":"#anim-601d9884-e814-474f-b8a4-f817d0d4ecc0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-21b993c1-984b-42fe-a7e0-5597bdd35df5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

Sugarcrete offers advantages: lightweight (4-5 times lighter than concrete), shorter curing time, and lower embodied carbon.

[{"selector":"#anim-5c036227-3cbb-4454-ae02-fbfda7e3d76f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e76abeb3-9053-46fe-a9b5-5a0920efd945","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

Sugarcrete harnesses sugarcane by-products to provide a sustainable building material with insulation and fire resistance.

[{"selector":"#anim-be1ae18e-383c-4f93-9ec0-e82279787ad0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f52edd5b-d720-48b1-9a1b-da5e09a4112c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

The development of Sugarcrete involved a digital toolchain, minimizing waste and enabling construction without mortar.

[{"selector":"#anim-7360d283-2b30-4452-b7fb-c753df7d5611 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.46874988148513%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b70b33db-9b92-4f3a-8364-678503277101","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

The Sugarcrete project focuses on ethical supply chains, knowledge-sharing, and addressing sustainability in construction.

[{"selector":"#anim-1bbd97a7-2e42-4428-bac7-732d5b5715f4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f170010c-4927-436c-b200-2857eb3cb41e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google