Building a Greener Future: Angirus' Game Changing Bricks from C&D Waste

In the relentless march towards urbanisation, India faces a monumental challenge: the accelerating demand for bricks. With an annual production nearing 300 billion bricks, and projected to quadruple in the next three decades, the environmental and social costs are staggering. About 88% of these bricks are traditional red clay, notorious for their carbon footprint and resource-intensive manufacturing process.

These red clay bricks, while providing livelihoods to millions, exact a heavy toll. They contribute to 4-5% of India’s annual carbon emissions, are responsible for 8% of the nation’s coal output, and utilise 600 million tonnes of fertile clay and 300 billion litres of water annually. The industry, predominantly reliant on migrant labour, exposes workers to harsh living conditions without basic facilities like healthcare or insurance.

While retrofit solutions for existing kilns, such as waste heat recovery systems and chimney air filters, can reduce the environmental impact of clay brick production, true breakthroughs remain elusive. Start-ups like Angirus? IND are redefining the industry by pioneering alternative materials derived from construction and demolition (C&D) waste and plastic. Their bricks are not only stronger and more waterproof than traditional counterparts, but also represent a significant step towards sustainability in construction.

What happens to Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste?

C&D waste is a major contributor to environmental pollution and represents a significant global waste stream. In 2012, more than 3 billion tons of C&D waste were generated annually across 40 countries. In the U.S., C&D waste accounts for approximately 67% (534 million tons) of solid waste, while in the EU, it made up 36% (924 million tons) in 2016. Managing this enormous volume of C&D waste has become an urgent issue for global economies. However, the issue of managing C&D waste is increasingly urgent globally, where rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development are driving a surge in waste generation.

In India, about 150 million tonnes of C&D waste is generated annually as per unofficial estimates. However, proper disposal is hampered by insufficient recycling sites and the high costs associated with transporting waste to dedicated sites located far from urban areas. Approximately 90% of C&D waste consists of concrete, brick, and sand - materials with high potential for reuse and recycling. Unfortunately, illegal dumping and a lack of traceability hinder effective waste management. Although some start-ups have attempted to address this problem, many have faced significant challenges, leading to shutdowns or pivots in their business models.

Builders and contractors are keen to find efficient ways to dispose of C&D waste. Angirus’ innovation, which incorporates C&D waste in its composition, is a game-changer. The start-up utilises a high percentage of the waste material in its product composition, directly helping to establish traceability in the ecosystem and ensure circularity within the construction sector. As the construction industry continues to grow, adopting such innovations is crucial for environmental sustainability and effective waste management.

Angirus: A Game Changer in Sustainable Construction

Named after Sage Angirus, who is originally credited with inventing clay bricks, the start-up has developed machinery with a rotary dryer system for mixing raw material composites. This patent-protected machinery represents a significant incremental innovation in both the C&D waste and brick sectors.

Angirus’ bricks excel in performance metrics, setting new standards in the industry. According to the National Building Code guidelines, compressive strength and water absorption are key parameters for evaluating bricks. Angirus’ bricks outperform Class A red clay bricks by 40% in compressive strength and 90% in water absorption.

Beyond their superior performance, Angirus’ bricks are also environmentally friendly. They emit 79% less CO2, 96% less water, and 75% less energy as compared to existing materials during the manufacturing process. Additionally, the production process is faster, allowing for quicker turnaround times to meet customer demands.

Resilient founders

Kunjpreet Arora and LOKESH PURI GOSWAMI , the co-founders of Angirus, are civil engineers with a shared passion for sustainable construction solutions. Drawing on their academic expertise, they researched innovative ideas that eventually led to the founding of Angirus.

They have navigated formidable challenges — from perfecting product composition to designing cutting-edge machinery. Their vision to revolutionise construction has driven them to continuously push boundaries, refine their approach, and adapt to market needs, including a strategic move from Udaipur to Bangalore. Their journey exemplifies the perseverance and dedication that define successful entrepreneurs in sustainability.

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The Green Bricks Market

The potential for Angirus is substantial. For a typical 1,000 square foot building, approximately 30,000 bricks are used, with around 20% allocated for non-load-bearing applications. Angirus, focusing on urban areas and Class A bricks, estimates a total addressable market of INR 63,000 crore.

The green buildings market is expanding at a 15% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), driven by certification bodies like GRIHA and Greenpro. These organisations have established a ratings scale that emphasises the use of green materials, systems, and practices. Additionally, they engage in policy advocacy, working with state governments to incentivise the adoption of sustainable practices.

For builders and developers, this makes the practice of adopting green materials financially attractive due to tax rebates and other benefits tied to achieving specific ratings. These incentives are crucial drivers for the adoption of green products, making Angirus’ innovative bricks a compelling choice for environmentally conscious construction projects.

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Sustainable Impact: Greener Bricks, Better Lives

Every Angirus brick tells a story of sustainability and progress. By replacing traditional clay bricks, each unit prevents carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere, conserves water that would otherwise be lost in manufacturing and repurposes plastic and construction waste that would have ended up in landfills. The shift isn’t just about an alternative material—it’s about rethinking how we build while reducing the burden on our planet.

Beyond its environmental benefits, Angirus is transforming an industry that has long been dependent on exploitative labour practices. In India, brick kilns employ around 17 million workers, many of whom endure harsh conditions, hazardous air pollution, and seasonal employment without the protection of minimum wages or access to basic healthcare. The process of making traditional bricks is not just physically demanding but often comes at a steep human cost.

By mechanising production, Angirus is reimagining brick-making. Workers are no longer exposed to extreme heat or harmful emissions. Instead, they operate in safer environments with access to clean water, fair wages, and proper labour protections.

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Alternative bricks are here to stay

The future of construction is shifting—sustainability is no longer optional; it is imperative. The brick industry’s carbon footprint demands urgent action, while C&D waste presents an untapped opportunity to drive circularity. Technology, financing, and policy innovation must converge to accelerate the adoption of alternative materials and redefine the industry’s impact.

At Social Alpha, we are committed to empowering deep-tech material start-ups on their journey from lab to market (TRL 4-9) by providing product development support, business and technical mentorship, and funding opportunities, both dilutive and non-dilutive.

For entrepreneurs pioneering next-generation sustainable materials, the time to act is now. If you are an early-stage entrepreneur working on breakthrough material innovations, we invite you to connect with us for collaboration. If you are an industry player seeking high-performance, sustainable bricks, reach out to Angirus co-founder, Kunjpreet Arora, to explore opportunities.

Together, we can build a more resilient, sustainable future—one brick at a time.

— Written by Poorna R and Shruti Parija , Social Alpha