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Pune Entrepreneur Transforms Industrial Waste into Sustainable Building Materials

When Alok Kale, the founder of Magnus Ventures, pitches for government projects, he is frequently asked about his GreenPro certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). He proudly confirms that he holds this certification, underscoring his commitment to sustainability.Magnus Ventures is recognized as one of India’s pioneering brands in transforming industrial waste into eco-friendly construction materials, addressing two major sources of pollution: industries and construction.
Industrial waste significantly contributes to air, water, and soil pollution, with the World Economic Forum noting that the building value chain accounts for 37% of global carbon emissions.Kale acknowledges the enormity of the challenge, stating, “The scale of the problem is very large. What I’m doing is very, very small, but I feel that it’s a beginning.” He recalls a documentary highlighting the world’s diminishing sand supply, noting that sand is the second most used resource after water. With industries in India generating over 1 million metric tonnes of waste annually,
Kale sought a smart solution and decided to manufacture bricks from waste.Since launching, Magnus has developed various products, including cement-based plaster, fly ash bricks, and adhesives, widely used by major builders in India. The company’s R&D efforts began in 2010, leading to internal project applications by 2013. In 2020, commercial production commenced, and just two years later, manufacturing capacity expanded sevenfold due to rising demand.Despite his success, Kale believes the market for sustainable products in India remains underdeveloped. He has recently been honored with the Sustainability Crusader Award 2024 from the JP Shroff Foundation.
Coming from an auto business background, Kale initially spent a year on-site selling his products to better understand the needs of contractors and customers.Now, Magnus boasts an automated facility in Talegaon and has applied for a global patent. “This is a very scalable business as industrial waste is available worldwide,” Kale explains, emphasizing the importance of R&D in his company’s growth. He personally oversees all research and development, ensuring he is deeply involved in every aspect of product formulation.
Ziya Khan

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