GreenJams: Carbon-Negative
Year: 2019
Founders: Tarun Jami, Varun Jami
Introduction
GreenJams is a cleantech social enterprise which was the first to develop farm waste into carbon-negative construction materials. Built on the ethos of making our world greener, GreenJams’ flagship innovation, Agrocrete, is a patented bio-concrete using crop wastes like paddy straw, cotton stalk, and bagasse. By mixing them with BINDR, its own zero-clinker binder derived from industrial by-products, Agrocrete presents a green and high-performance substitute for conventional bricks and AAC blocks. Headquartered in India, GreenJams’ aspiration is to transform the construction industry while combining sustainability with leading technology.
Tackling Agricultural Challenges
The building sector is one of the world’s biggest emitters of carbon, with an estimated 45% of all emissions, and 8% is emitted just through the production of cement. In comparison, India has a critical pollution problem through the burning of crop residues, which causes health effects and degradation in ecosystems. GreenJams addresses both of these issues by converting agricultural by-products into carbon-negative building materials, thus minimizing emissions from the construction process and preventing negative impacts brought about by crop residue burning. This double-barreled impact meets short-term climate and health needs while encouraging circular economy.
Key Offerings
- Agrocrete Blocks: Carbon-negative masonry units available in both solid and hollow forms. These blocks provide up to 50% cost savings in construction, are 30% lighter than conventional alternatives, deliver 3.5 times better thermal insulation, enable faster build times, and offer superior bonding with plaster for enhanced durability.
- BINDR: An innovative, zero-clinker binder created entirely from industrial by-products, serving as a sustainable substitute for traditional cement and significantly reducing carbon footprints.
- Franchise Manufacturing Model: GreenJams employs a decentralized production strategy through franchises, empowering local entrepreneurs, reducing transportation emissions, and fostering sustainable livelihoods in rural areas.
Real Impact
GreenJams is leading a new wave in sustainable construction by turning agricultural waste into valuable, carbon-negative building materials. The company constructed the world’s first Agrocrete® building in Roorkee in just four days, which successfully captured 3.1 tons of CO₂, showcasing the real-world potential of its technology. With a third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), Agrocrete® stands as one of the few truly carbon-negative construction materials globally. Accolades such as Forbes Asia’s ‘30 Under 30’ recognition and support from prominent organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Villgro Innovations Foundation reflect GreenJams’ impact and promise in fighting climate change through innovation.
Success Story
In rural areas where traditional bricks are costly and environmentally damaging, GreenJams’ franchise model has created new economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs. One franchise owner in Uttar Pradesh scaled up production of Agrocrete® blocks, supplying to nearby builders and reducing reliance on conventional materials. Customers appreciated the lighter blocks’ ease of handling and superior insulation, which translated into lower energy costs for households. This localized manufacturing not only cuts down emissions linked to transportation but also empowers rural communities, turning crop waste from a pollutant into an economic asset.
Lessons for Agri-Startups
- Innovate for Dual Impact: GreenJams shows how addressing two interconnected challenges—in this case, agricultural waste management and sustainable construction—can create strong, scalable business models with broad societal benefits.
- Leverage Circular Economy: Transforming waste into resource-driven products offers both environmental and economic value, fostering sustainability alongside profitability.
- Franchise for Scale and Inclusion: Decentralized manufacturing through franchising enables rapid, localized growth while generating rural employment, proving effective for scalable impact.
- Third-party Validation Builds Trust: Certifications like Environmental Product Declarations enhance credibility and help break barriers for new materials in traditional industries.
- Collaborate for Visibility: Partnerships with global NGOs and social impact investors boost visibility and resources, accelerating innovation and adoption.
Stay Informed with Focus Agritech
GreenJams exemplifies how cleantech innovations can transform agriculture’s by-products into sustainable solutions beyond the farm. Explore our Free Agritech Insights to learn from GreenJams’ journey in carbon-negative materials and stay updated with Focus Agritech—sign up for our newsletter to unlock expert tips on growing smarter and greener!Explore more such stories, insights, and opportunities in the agritech ecosystem.
👉 Subscribe to Focus Agritech’s newsletter for expert tips and funding news to grow your farm or startup smarter.
Want to Promote your Agri- Startup?
Fuel your agri-startup’s visibility and success today.
50+ startups connected with investors
Sponsored Ads
Sponsored Ads
