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2026-09-05

Noida Airport LC3 Use Tests Low-Carbon Cement at Scale

A newly filed project disclosure says LC3 was used for pavement-quality concrete at Noida International Airport, moving the low-carbon cement discussion from laboratory potential toward application-specific qualification.

Stockpiled GBFS illustrating established SCM supply for lower-clinker cement systems

Tata Projects' Integrated Annual Report 2025-26, filed on the National Stock Exchange of India on 4 September 2026, says the company adopted limestone calcined clay cement, or LC3, for pavement-quality concrete at Noida International Airport during FY2026. The report states that the material is standardized under IS 18189:2023 and replaces part of Portland clinker with calcined clay and limestone. This is a company disclosure about one project, not evidence that every mix, site or supply chain will produce the same result.

1. A project reference strengthens the qualification signal

Infrastructure pavements place demanding requirements on concrete performance and execution. A disclosed LC3 application in this setting is therefore commercially relevant, but the key lesson is qualification rather than automatic substitution. Cement producers, contractors and asset owners still need mix design, raw-material characterization, trial data, quality control and project-specific acceptance before changing clinker factors.

GBFS handling at an industrial source illustrating traceable SCM preparation
Lower-clinker systems depend on repeatable material properties and disciplined source control.

2. Standards reduce uncertainty but do not remove supply risk

The report's reference to IS 18189:2023 gives the disclosed application a standards context. Yet a standard alone cannot ensure that qualified inputs are available at the required volume and timing. Calcined clay, limestone and established supplementary cementitious materials such as GBFS and GGBFS have different processing, testing, storage and transport needs. Procurement must match technical approval with dependable supply.

3. Scale-up becomes a materials-and-logistics task

As lower-clinker formulations move into larger projects, teams need clear specifications, representative sampling, compatible storage and delivery windows aligned with construction schedules. Diversification across SCM families can improve options, but materials are not interchangeable without testing. SENLAN handles GBFS, GGBFS, clinker and limestone from Tangshan and supports bulk-material export coordination through Caofeidian; project suitability and final specifications remain subject to buyer testing and agreement.

Caofeidian port infrastructure illustrating export logistics for cementitious materials
Technical qualification creates value only when approved material can be delivered consistently.

Takeaway: The Noida disclosure adds a practical reference for LC3, but responsible scale-up still rests on standards, project testing and reliable input logistics. Source: Tata Projects, Integrated Annual Report 2025-26, filed on NSE India on 4 September 2026.