Industry Perspectives on Sustainable Material Adoption within the Indian
Construction Industry: A Qualitative Exploration

Aaliyah Bajaj

doi:10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i12.005

Title: Industry Perspectives on Sustainable Material Adoption within the Indian Construction Industry: A Qualitative Exploration
Authors: Aaliyah Bajaj
Journal: International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research (IJSSER) ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume: 10 Issue: 12 Publication Date: December 2025 DOI: 10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i12.005
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Aaliyah Bajaj Pathways School, Gurugram, India
MLA 8 Bajaj, Aaliyah. "Industry Perspectives on Sustainable Material Adoption within the Indian Construction Industry: A Qualitative Exploration." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 10, no. 12, Dec. 2025, pp. 6232-6245, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i12.005. Accessed Dec. 2025. APA 6 Bajaj, A. (2025, December). Industry Perspectives on Sustainable Material Adoption within the Indian Construction Industry: A Qualitative Exploration. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 10(12), 6232-6245. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i12.005 Chicago Bajaj, Aaliyah. "Industry Perspectives on Sustainable Material Adoption within the Indian Construction Industry: A Qualitative Exploration." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 10, no. 12 (December 2025), 6232-6245. Accessed December, 2025. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i12.005.
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ABSTRACT: This study explores the perspectives of construction professionals on the adoption of sustainable materials in India. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven architects, civil engineers, project managers, and designers to understand how material choices have evolved and what factors influence sustainability in practice. The findings reveal that sustainability is widely acknowledged but adoption remains uneven across projects. Professionals reported gradual shifts towards materials such as AAC blocks, recycled steel, bamboo, lime plaster, and precast elements, mainly in high-end or boutique projects, while mainstream construction continues to prioritize cost, speed, and aesthetics. Key barriers identified include high upfront costs, limited availability, low client awareness, lack of skilled labor, regional climate constraints, and conflicting design preferences. Drivers for adoption include environmental responsibility, long-term durability, regulatory compliance, and market positioning. Regional variations, project scale, and client expectations were found to strongly shape material selection. The study highlights the gap between sustainability policies and on-the-ground practice, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions such as training programs, improved supply chains, and awareness campaigns. By capturing the lived experiences of industry practitioners, this research provides actionable insights to promote broader adoption of sustainable construction practices in India.

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