ACC, a leading producer of cement and ready-mix concrete in India, is offering a unique and sustainable model of living through Green Building Centres (GBC). Green Building Centres are designed to provide durable and affordable housing solutions in India by promoting sustainable building materials, building techniques, and locally trained workforce. In 2020, GBCs enabled 31,477 affordable green quality homes across India through GBC products.
A Green Building Centre, an initiative of rural-connect, acts as a catalyst in rural and semi-urban development. It goes beyond cement and concrete to create environmentally friendly, and affordable alternatives to traditional clay burnt bricks, creating a new place in the market for masonry and paving products. This is in line with the Sustainable Development Roadmap 2030 of ACC’s parent company LafargeHolcim.
Based on a franchise business model (unique across the world), local entrepreneurs supported by ACC have established 100 centres operating in various districts in India. In 2020, the total number of beneficiaries at GBC, receiving direct livelihood support was more than 3,150. Furthermore, GBCs also help in generating livelihoods through their Mason Training Program, which aims to develop skills in construction.
At ACC, we believe in embracing communities and working together to effect real change. Green Building Centres is a unique program that aims to provide affordable housing, sanitation solutions, rural and semi-urban pavement solutions through sustainable building products and methodologies
Sridhar Balakrishnan, MD & CEO, ACC Limited
In 2020, ACC established 43 new GBCs, bringing the total number to over 150 centres, of which 100 are in operation and the rest are under construction. With the sustainability agenda at their core, GBCs in 2020 collectively contributed to the use of 70,740 tons of fly ash, the conservation of 1,53,271 tons of the earth’s natural topsoil, and avoidance of 10,788 tons of CO2 emissions.
Through ACC, LafargeHolcim India has the vision of facilitating the creation of one million houses and toilets in Semi-Urban and Rural India by 2025.
