NIT-T team earns patent for paver blocks developed from soil-like material in landfills
Researchers at NIT-T have patented a method to create construction-grade paver blocks using soil-like material recovered from landfill biomining. This innovation offers a sustainable solution for managing legacy waste while reducing the need for natural sand.
Why it matters
This represents a significant advancement in circular economy practices, turning environmental hazards into useful construction materials.
The paver blocks developed by NIT-T researchers using soil-like material from landfill biomining in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A patent has been granted to two professors of National Institute of Technology – Tiruchi (NIT-T) for the invention of paver blocks using Soil-Like Material (SLM) obtained from landfill biomining, it was announced on Tuesday.
According to an official press release, the patent has been granted to the institute recognising the inventive method on September 3, 2026. The patent is valid for a term of 20 years from April 29, 2025, in accordance with the provisions of the Patents Act, 1970.
Led by civil engineering professor S. T. Ramesh and Prime Minister’s Research Fellow G. Saravanan, the initiative provides a circular-economy answer to using up remains of biomining legacy waste. While plastics and combustibles find downstream uses as Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), the process leaves behind an overwhelming volume of SLM.
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