ANGIRUS, an innovative Indian startup headquartered in Udaipur, Rajasthan, recently revealed its groundbreaking solution for creating lightweight and waterproof building products exclusively from recycled waste materials at the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) in Tianjin, China.
Kunjpreet Arora, the Co-Founder and CEO of ANGIRUS, highlighted the severe environmental impact of the brick industry in India, which has become the second-largest contributor to air pollution. Arora drew attention to the staggering number of brick kilns across the country, which consume millions of tons of soil, fuel, and water, leading to extensive environmental degradation.
According to China Economic Net, Arora emphasised that the clay brick industry, the biggest air pollutant in South Asia, depletes 350 million tons of fertile soil, 25 million metric tons of coal, and substantial amounts of water annually. She also stressed the accumulation of plastic and other dry waste on roads, water bodies, and landfills, exacerbating air pollution.
The global scenario is equally concerning. According to ‘Our World in Data’ on CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Emissions, electricity and heat production are the leading contributors to global emissions, followed by transportation, manufacturing and construction (primarily cement and similar materials), and agriculture.
A report by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) revealed that building operations and construction combined account for nearly 40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions.
In response to these critical issues, Arora and her team have developed a unique and eco-friendly technology to recycle waste into building materials. Their flagship product, ‘Wricks’, is a moisture-resistant lightweight brick with the potential to reduce brickwork costs by up to 20%.
Arora emphasised the significance of green development in construction, which is recognised by India and China, two neighbouring countries and key global players. She praised China for its substantial efforts toward green transition and expressed her eagerness to engage with Chinese investors to bring ‘Wricks’ to the Chinese market and contribute to its sustainable development goals.
The AMNC 2023, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, brought together over 1,500 global leaders from various sectors, providing a crucial platform for discussions on global economic recovery. The event’s key topics included energy transition, material supply, nature conservation, and climate change.