The world is accelerating towards energy efficiency, switching to electric vehicles and renewable power. Beyond transport and power generation, one of the largest sources of carbon emissions is buildings and construction. The sector together accounts for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. This raises an urgent question: How can we make the skyscrapers, houses and infrastructure more environment friendly?
The answer would be green building materials.
Traditional building materials including cement, concrete and steel are incredibly carbon intensive. Raw materials extraction, manufacturing and onsite assembly alone causes a large share of carbon emission. This embodied carbon is often more than half of the building’s lifetime emissions.
Green building materials are designed to tackle this challenge. These materials prioritize reduction in embodied carbon, recyclability and higher durability. From raw material extraction to construction and eventual disposal, green building materials are designed to reduce the environmental impact during the life cycle of the building.
Regulatory and policy push, along with economic and operational benefits have encouraged multiple governments and developers to switch to green building materials. The global green building materials market size was estimated at US$ 532.54 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from US$ 598.04 billion in 2026 to US$ 1.5 trillion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 12.30% during the forecast period. Growth is being led by energy-efficient materials, low-carbon cement alternatives, recycled composites, and advanced construction inputs that reduce resource intensity.
As India continues to urbanise at scale, integrating green construction into its housing expansion will be critical to ensuring sustainable growth. Increased climate awareness, infrastructure investments and policy support have escalated the adoption of green construction in the country. Indian green building materials market is projected to grow at ~10–12% CAGR through 2030, outpacing overall construction growth. Crucially, green materials are moving beyond premium commercial real estate into mass infrastructure, industrial facilities, and urban housing, expanding the addressable market significantly.
ZippMat, a Zephyr Peacock portfolio company, has launched its own range of sustainable, green construction materials. EkoBar GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) is a high-performance composite material engineered for modern construction and infrastructure applications. Positioned as a sustainable alternative to traditional steel, EkoBar offers a smarter solution – 4x lighter, 2x stronger, 30% more cost-effective, and completely rustproof, making it suited for next-generation construction Read More.
EkoBlend GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag) is another innovative product designed for use as a cement additive, contributing to improved performance and sustainability outcomes Read more.
Tarshakti is a bitumen-based bonding and waterproofing solution developed for enhanced durability, protection, and performance in the construction applications Read more.
Together, these materials contribute to reduced embodied carbon, improved durability, and more sustainable building practices, providing a swift, smart, and sustainable approach to modern construction.
Source:
- Green Building Materials Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Application (Roofing, Flooring, Insulation, and Others), By End-use Industry (Residential and Non-Residential), and Regional Forecast, 2026-2034
- India Green Building Materials Market
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