In this interview, Abhijeet Gawde, Head of Business Development & Marketing at Godrej Construction, highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability.

Through initiatives like the use of Recycled Concrete Aggregates and 3D construction printing, Godrej Construction is not only reducing environmental impact but also paving the way for innovative and eco-friendly building practices.

What is Godrej & Boyce’s approach to sustainability, and how does Godrej Construction contribute to a greener future?
At Godrej & Boyce, we understand the paramount significance of sustainability in today’s global context. Our vision is firmly grounded in the belief that sustainable development represents not only a responsibility but also an opportunity to generate enduring value for both communities and the environment. In pursuit of this vision, we have seamlessly woven sustainability into the very fabric of our operations, harnessing cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaborative partnerships to catalyse positive change.

Aligned with these fundamental values, Godrej Construction (GC), a business unit of Godrej & Boyce is dedicated to spearheading the journey towards a greener, more sustainable future, evidenced by a variety of initiatives implemented across our diverse lines of business. From the integration of energy-efficient building materials to the adoption of innovative construction techniques, we remain steadfast in our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in sustainable construction practices.

Can you explain the challenges and benefits of incorporating Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) in concrete mix design and how Godrej Construction addresses these challenges?
While incorporating Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) in the concrete mix design poses challenges, the rewards are significant. Challenges include ensuring consistent quality and mitigating contamination risks. Maintaining the integrity of the recycled materials and adhering to strict quality standards is paramount. Additionally, addressing potential contamination from foreign materials such as wood or metals is crucial to uphold structural integrity. Despite these challenges, the benefits are substantial. By reducing the reliance on new aggregates, we minimise environmental impact, conserve natural resources, and lower carbon emissions associated with traditional quarrying methods. Moreover, diverting construction and demolition waste from landfills fosters a circular economy and enhances cost efficiencies in material procurement and disposal.

We address these challenges through rigorous testing and quality assurance measures. Our Recycled Concrete Materials Plant in Vikhroli, Mumbai, has been awarded the Green Co. Gold Certification and operates solely on renewable energy sources. Furthermore, our RMC plants in the Mumbai-MMR and Pune region have earned recognition with the ‘Green Pro’ certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). These certifications underscore our commitment to sustainability and our ability to navigate the complexities of integrating recycled materials into construction projects effectively.

How does Godrej Construction utilise innovation and technology, such as 3D Construction Printing, to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and circularity in construction projects?
Embracing innovation and technology is integral to our strategy. Through research and development, we explore new construction techniques and materials, such as 3D Construction Printing Technology, to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability. A prime example of this innovation is ‘The Cocoon,’ a 500 sq. ft. 3D printed office at Khalapur, which was installed and fully functional in under 40 hours.

The adoption of 3D construction printing technology offers a multitude of benefits that contribute to circularity in construction. Firstly, it enables precise material usage, significantly reducing waste generation compared to traditional construction methods. By layering materials only where needed, this technology optimises resource utilisation, thereby promoting a circular approach to material consumption. Additionally, the integration of sustainable practices, such as incorporating recycled materials and renewable energy sources, further enhances the circularity of construction projects. For instance, at Khalapur, Godrej Construction’s commitment to sustainability is underscored by the incorporation of up to 20 percent Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) in the concrete mix design. This initiative not only diverts construction waste from landfills but also closes the loop on resource utilisation, exemplifying the circularity inherent in our approach.

The project emphasises energy efficiency and environmental stewardship through the integration of renewable energy sources like solar panels. By harnessing solar energy, we reduce reliance on conventional energy sources and minimise carbon emissions, further enhancing the project’s sustainability credentials.

What measures does your company take to ensure the structural integrity and compliance of innovative designs, integrating advanced engineering principles and industry regulations?
To guarantee the robustness of innovative designs, we employ a comprehensive approach that integrates advanced engineering principles and adherence to industry regulations.

Our team of experienced engineers collaborates closely with design architects to assess the feasibility and structural implications of intricate designs. For example, the office at Khalapur exemplifies our commitment to design flexibility with its unconventional curvilinear elliptical design. To ensure the structural soundness of such innovative designs, effective collaboration between our engineering and design teams is essential.

Construction projects like ‘The Cocoon’ demonstrate our commitment to leveraging advanced technologies and methodologies to guarantee structural integrity. Through effective team collaboration and meticulous project planning, utilising tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Lean Construction methods, and 3D Construction Printing, we ensure that innovative designs are not only aesthetically impressive but also structurally sound and compliant with safety standards.

Please elucidate the measures your company takes to ensure compliance with regulations and standards across construction projects?
To ensure compliance across our projects, we maintain a comprehensive understanding of regulations, and standards relevant to each location. This includes meticulous attention to safety regulations, environmental protection laws, zoning ordinances, and building codes. We understand that every construction project is unique. That’s why we offer tailor-made RMC solutions designed to meet the specific requirements of each project. Our team of experienced engineers works closely with clients to understand their needs comprehensively. Through this collaborative approach, we develop customised RMC mixes that guarantee optimal performance and cost-efficiency.

Quality is our foremost priority. Our RMC plants are certified by the Quality Council of India (QCI). Our quality control measures include regular material testing, on-site inspections, and adherence to industry benchmarks. These stringent processes ensure that our RMC products are of the highest quality and meet the strictest standards and regulations. Our RMC Central Quality Laboratory at Vikhroli, Mumbai, recently received a ‘Certificate of Accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) by ISO /IEC 17025:2017. NABL accreditation reinforces our commitment to achieving quality excellence for our products and services.

In addition to the quality of RMC, customer centricity is at the core of Godrej Construction. We have been regularly conducting third-party Customer Satisfaction Surveys (CSS) through Nielsen across all our three lines of business for more than a decade. Feedback received by the customers has provided us insights into taking relevant improvement initiatives to enhance our quality of services. This has resulted in achieving best-in-class Net Promoter Scores (NPS), for all three lines of businesses. Our NPS score for the construction materials business is 78; for the real estate leasing business, it is 89; and for the real estate development business, it is 82.

Construction sites are subject to various regulations and standards to ensure environmental protection, such as MCGM conditions during building construction, environmental clearance, and other specific guidelines from the State Government and MCGM.

We are 100 percent compliant with stringent environmental compliances for air pollution and noise pollution related to our RMC and construction site operations.