Reimagining Waste: How Saltech is Building a Greener Future from Trash

In the heart of Gujarat, where the Pirana Dumpsite once loomed as a symbol of unchecked urban waste, two mechanical engineers saw an opportunity to rewrite the narrative. Aditya Shukla and Sudhir Shukla, co-founders of Saltech Design Labs, are leading a quiet revolution in sustainable construction, turning India’s plastic and industrial waste into high-performance building materials.

Founded in 2018 in Gandhinagar, Saltech is not just another green startup. It's the embodiment of "Salvation through Technology," a vision shaped by the Shukla duo's firsthand exposure to the health and environmental perils of unmanaged waste. With backgrounds in industrial product design, material science and product development, they developed a closed-loop, zero-cement process that transforms low-value waste into precast products like pavers, bricks, tiles and other construction materials that are not only eco-friendly but structurally superior.

Engineering Circularity

Saltech’s patented technology addresses two of India’s most pressing environmental challenges: plastic waste accumulation and the carbon-intensive construction industry. India produces over 9.46 million tons of plastic waste annually, 40% of which remains uncollected. Simultaneously, its growing urban sprawl demands building materials that currently rely heavily on carbon-heavy cement and resource-exhaustive extraction processes.

The Saltech solution is radical in its simplicity and impact. Using mixed plastic waste, industrial byproducts like fly ash, and recovered aggregates, the company produces factory-made composite materials that eliminate the need for water or cement. The result? Products with three times the durability of conventional alternatives, a carbon footprint slashed by up to 80%, and a 90% reduction in water use during recycling. These materials are also fully recyclable at the end of their life.

Market Impact and Mission

Saltech's innovations align squarely with the urgent need for affordable, sustainable housing in India. By targeting government agencies, smart city developers, and CSR projects, Saltech embeds its products within projects where scalability and environmental compliance are paramount.

With over 520 tons of material recycled and more than 220,000 sq ft of installations across schools, housing societies, and public spaces, the startup is making measurable impact. Their client roster includes municipal corporations like Rajkot and Halol, educational institutes like PDEU, and major corporate players such as TATA Housing and Godrej Properties.

A Modular, Scalable Business

Saltech's business model encompasses direct product sales, licensing of their proprietary technology, and turnkey manufacturing solutions. Their modular plant setup ensures rapid scalability both in centralised hubs and at waste generation points. The strategy isn’t just about profitability; it’s about enabling circular economies at local levels.

By offering cost-competitive alternatives to traditional materials, Saltech also lowers construction time and labour requirements. This makes them particularly attractive to infrastructure projects constrained by both time and budget.

Innovation Recognized

With 10 patents and multiple international fellowships under their belt, the Shuklas have positioned Saltech at the cutting edge of cleantech innovation. Their efforts have garnered accolades from organisations like the Royal Academy of Engineering UK, Unilever & FCDO UK, and the Government of India. In 2024, their carbon-negative solar tiles were presented by the Chief Minister of Gujarat to the Prime Minister of India, highlighting their growing national significance.

Looking Ahead

From winning the Swachhata Startup Challenge by MoHUA Govt of India to establishing itself in markets across India, Saltech has laid a strong foundation. Their next phase involves global licensing, deeper integration into smart city infrastructure, and new product lines like BIPV-compatible solar tiles building products.

Yet, the heart of their mission remains unchanged: to turn the detritus of modern life into the building blocks of a cleaner, more resilient future. As Aditya and Sudhir continue to push boundaries, Saltech stands as a testament to what happens when innovation meets purpose.