High-Performance Concretes Enabled by Nanomaterial Integration

In an exclusive interview with Thiruamuthan, Assistant Editor of Industry Outlook, Vinod Bahety, CEO – Cement Business, Adani Group and CEO & Whole-Time Director – Ambuja Cements & ACC, discusses how nanomaterial-enhanced concrete is transforming India’s infrastructure by improving durability, sustainability, and resilience. He highlights applications in metro and highway projects, key nanomaterials, manufacturing and regulatory challenges, and emerging innovations driving the shift toward smarter, low-carbon, and longer-lasting construction solutions.

Vinod Bahety is a seasoned corporate strategist with over 25 years of experience in manufacturing and finance. Renowned for his expertise in mergers and acquisitions, financial leadership, and infrastructure financing, he is a Chartered Accountant and Cost & Works Accountant driving strategic growth and value creation.

With Indian metro and highway projects increasingly adopting nanomaterial-enhanced concretes, how is this trend improving urban infrastructure durability and structural longevity?

Nanomaterial-enhanced concretes hold significant potential in India’s national infrastructure objectives. These innovations are now integral to achieving sustainability, resilience, and economic competitiveness. India recognises this transformation as strategically crucial for the longevity and economic vitality of urban areas.

Nanomaterial-enhanced concretes are being tested in Delhi, Nagpur, and Bengaluru metro expansions, as well as in national highway segments under the Bharatmala Pariyojana and Smart Cities Mission projects. In such applications, nano-concrete exhibits up to a 30% increase in compressive strength, reduced microcracking, and enhanced resistance to heavy traffic loads. The dense matrix structure minimises weakening around reinforcement steel, thereby extending structural service life and significantly reducing maintenance costs.

In India’s urban infrastructure development, the application of nanotechnology not only enhances structural resilience but also promotes sustainability. Nano-TiO₂ imparts self-cleaning and photocatalytic properties, mitigating surface pollution on metro viaducts and concrete facades. Furthermore, nano-carbon additives enhance electrical conductivity, facilitating the implementation of smart infrastructure monitoring and damage detection systems. These advancements collectively contribute to the development of energy-efficient, durable, and low-maintenance urban assets.

Strategic Perspective for India in adopting Nanomaterial-enhanced Concrete: As India’s construction sector expands to an estimated USD 1.3 trillion, nanomaterial-based concretes emerge as a strategic alignment with national sustainability and durability objectives. This trend represents a paradigm shift from conventional to high-performance, intelligent, and eco-adaptive structures capable of withstanding India’s diverse climatic and traffic conditions. To facilitate widespread adoption of nano-concrete across metro, bridge, and expressway systems, the development of cost-effective production methods and specialised engineering training programmes will be paramount.

Also Read: The Role of Indian Cement Industry in Achieving India's Climate Goals

As studies show graphene and nano-silica significantly improving concrete strength, which nanomaterials are proving most effective under India’s varied climatic conditions?

Recent research identifies graphene oxide, nano-silica, nano-titania (TiO₂), and nano-alumina (Al₂O₃) as among the most effective nanomaterials for enhancing concrete performance across India’s diverse climatic zones, including humid coastal regions, arid interiors, and Himalayan cold areas.

Nanotechnology is shaping the next frontier of sustainable infrastructure. For India’s varied climatic landscape—spanning monsoon-prone coasts, desert interiors, and high-altitude cold zones—the integration of composite nanomaterials is essential.

Graphene oxide and nano-silica blends, complemented by nano-titania in exposed applications, provide a robust pathway to developing longer-lasting, eco-efficient, and climate-resilient concretes.

With Indian manufacturers piloting nanomaterial-infused concrete production, what scaling challenges persist regarding cost, supply chain, and BIS compliance?

Indian manufacturers of nanomaterial-infused concrete face several critical challenges in scaling production. The foremost barrier is the high cost of nanomaterial inputs and specialised processing, compounded by dependence on imported raw materials. The supply chain for construction-grade nanomaterials remains nascent and fragmented, leading to inconsistent quality and limited regional availability.

Additionally, while the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is progressing towards formalising standards for nanoconcrete, comprehensive codified guidelines are still pending. This necessitates extensive performance-based validation and regulatory approvals during the pilot phase.

To address these obstacles, a strategic roadmap is essential: fostering domestic nanomaterial production through innovation hubs, accelerating standardisation via BIS collaboration, and integrating nano-engineered concrete into flagship infrastructure projects supported by government incentives. Such measures will reduce costs, stabilise supply chains, and provide regulatory clarity, enabling manufacturers to transition nanoconcrete from pilot initiatives to commercially viable, large-scale applications.

Given rising health and environmental concerns, how are construction firms ensuring safe handling of nanoscale additives in large-scale concrete projects?

Construction firms are prioritising the safe handling of nanoscale additives through comprehensive safety protocols. These include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks, water suppression techniques to control dust, and engineering controls like source-based dust extraction. Wet mixing methods are commonly adopted to minimise airborne exposure, alongside strict control of nanoparticle concentrations to prevent agglomeration.

Firms also work closely with suppliers to verify the chemical composition and properties of nanomaterials, implementing risk management strategies in view of the evolving regulatory framework. Continuous monitoring and health safety assessments form an integral part of these measures, ensuring potential health and environmental risks are mitigated during both construction and demolition activities.

With sustainability becoming central to Indian infrastructure, how effectively can nanomaterial-based concretes reduce cement usage and overall carbon emissions in construction?

Nanomaterial-based concretes can significantly reduce cement usage and associated carbon emissions by improving the mechanical properties and durability of concrete. Acting as fillers, these nanomaterials enhance hydration, lower porosity, and accelerate strength development, enabling partial cement replacement and reducing clinker formation, the primary source of CO₂ in cement production.

In practical terms, carbon savings achieved through nanomaterial-infused concrete mixes in India can realistically range between 80 and 200 kg of CO₂ per cubic metre of concrete. This reduction represents a meaningful contribution to lowering the carbon footprint of infrastructure projects and advancing the construction of sustainable, long-life assets.

Also Read: Circular Construction: How Far Can Recycling Cut Virgin Cement?

Considering recent breakthroughs in nanotechnology for construction, which emerging innovations could redefine India’s high-performance concrete applications over the next decade?

Emerging advancements in nanotechnology are set to transform India’s high-performance concrete (HPC) applications over the next decade. Key developments include the integration of nano-silica, carbon nanotubes, and nano-calcium carbonate to improve mechanical strength, durability, and microstructure. These additives enhance cement hydration, reduce porosity, and increase matrix density, resulting in higher compressive strength and resilience while supporting reductions in cement consumption and carbon emissions.

Nanotechnology-enhanced HPC is expected to deliver robust, self-monitoring, and environmentally sustainable materials essential for future infrastructure and smart urbanisation initiatives.

Key Emerging Innovations for HPC in India:

• Nano-silica and carbon nanotubes for superior strength and durability

• Self-healing concrete using bacteria-based crack repair

• IoT-enabled smart concrete for real-time structural monitoring

• Carbon-neutral concrete incorporating CO₂ sequestration

• 3D-printable and programmable concrete for adaptive construction

• Advanced curing and mix optimisation through AI and sensor technologies