ULCCS turns 100 this year. Why focus now on sustainable and resilient construction?
As ULCCS marks its centenary, we reaffirm that sustainability is not a passing theme—it’s a lasting responsibility. With construction’s significant environmental impact, we are committed to addressing climate change, resource depletion, and urban resilience.
Our journey began over 15 years ago with UL CyberPark, Kerala’s first LEED Gold-certified IT building. From integrating farmland into campuses to sustainable roadwork methods, our approach has always been practical and ahead of its time.
In our centenary year, we launched U-SPHERE: Futuristic Building Construction Solutions, focusing on modular, pre-engineered, low-carbon structures. Projects like Unity Mall reflect our commitment—featuring solar-responsive design and topsoil reuse. Sustainability is embedded at every stage, from materials and energy to long-term impact.
From community-first to planet-first, we call on peers to embed sustainability not just in policy, but in everyday practice. The future we build must be one we can sustain.
You launched TechTalk. What’s the core idea behind it—and how does it tie into Industry 5.0?
At ULCCS, we’ve always believed technology should serve people—not the other way around. That’s the spirit behind TechTalk. It’s not just a lecture series—it’s a platform for open, meaningful conversations about the future of work, where technology and human values evolve together.
The ULCCS–MatterLab TechTalk Series, organised with our subsidiary MatterLab, brings together global experts—engineers, researchers, academics, industry professionals, and policymakers—through seminars, webinars, and workshops. Our goal is to make advanced concepts in construction, like AI, robotics, sustainable design, and digital infrastructure, accessible to everyone—from site supervisors to students in rural areas.
As we enter Industry 5.0, the focus is shifting from just automation to collaboration—between people and machines, industries and communities. In India, this inclusive approach to growth is vital. TechTalk aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge innovation and grassroots understanding, staying true to our roots as a cooperative built by workers, for workers.
ULCCS has met 14 of the 17 UN SDGs. Which ones—and how were they achieved on the ground?
ULCCS, a century-old cooperative, naturally aligns with 14 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations for 2030. Without consciously pursuing these goals, ULCCS has long been committed to sustainable development through employment, education, inclusion, and innovation.
ULCCS AND SDGs
GOAL 1 – No Poverty
With over 18,000 employees from diverse backgrounds, ULCCS ensures fair wages, steady employment, and benefits—creating not just poverty-free, but prosperous lives.
GOAL 2 – Zero Hunger
ULCCS provides free food and accommodation to its workers, even at remote project sites. It also steps in with food aid during natural disasters through its disaster response programmes.
GOAL 3 – Good Health and Well-being
ULCCS ensures regular health check-ups, insurance coverage for workers and their families, and maintains hygienic, safe worksites through a dedicated EHS division.
GOAL 4 – Quality Education
Through UL Foundation, the Indian Institute of Infrastructure & Construction, and DDUGKY, ULCCS supports education and upskilling. Projects like MAPLE and the UL Space Club empower youth with learning opportunities.
GOAL 5 – Gender Equality
Men and women receive equal pay and opportunities. ULCCS also empowers rural women through skill development at Sargaalaya and the Kerala Arts & Crafts Village.
GOAL 6 & 7 – Clean Water and Affordable Energy
Rainwater harvesting, biogas, solar energy, and clean sanitation are implemented across sites. ULCCS promotes eco-conscious infrastructure and energy use.
GOAL 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
ULCCS is worker-centric—offering safe working conditions, upskilling opportunities, and long-term economic stability.
GOAL 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
ULCCS is a leader in sustainable infrastructure. Its ventures—like the LEED-certified UL CyberPark and ULTS—promote innovation across IT, crafts, and construction.
GOAL 10 – Reduced Inequalities
Inclusivity is core to ULCCS: it supports differently abled individuals, the elderly, and underprivileged students, ensuring no one is left behind.
GOAL 11 & 12 – Sustainable Communities and Responsible Consumption
By following green building standards and energy-efficient practices, ULCCS models responsible construction and operations.
GOAL 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
ULCCS has operated without labour disputes and champions human rights, integrity, and community service.
GOAL 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
Through cooperative consortiums and tech support for other co-ops, ULCCS fosters collaboration toward shared development goals.
You also hosted an international conclave on sustainable construction. What key insights came out of it?
The International Conclave on Sustainable Construction was a powerful reminder that sustainability is no longer optional—it’s essential. What resonated most was the collective recognition that the future of construction hinges on collaboration—across borders, disciplines, and generations. Experts and practitioners highlighted how circular economy principles, material reuse, and digital technologies can come together to reduce waste and emissions.
At Chellanam, you built a tetrapod concrete seawall. What makes this a sustainable solution—and is it scalable?
Chellanam is one of Kerala’s most climate-vulnerable coastlines, where traditional sea walls had failed for decades. ULCCS’s tetrapod seawall offers a scientific and sustainable solution to rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
We installed over 20,000 concrete tetrapods, each weighing two tonnes, reinforced with 3.5 lakh metric tonnes of granite boulders. Unlike vertical sea walls that deflect waves, tetrapods dissipate wave energy, reducing erosion, protecting infrastructure, and encouraging sand sedimentation—lowering maintenance costs in the long term.
We used Portland Slag Cement (PSC) for its environmental, economic, and durability benefits. PSC reuses industrial by-products, has lower emissions, and extends the lifespan of structures.
After the last monsoon, residents reported—for the first time in years—no seawater entered their homes along the protected stretch. That’s the best validation of our work.
You aim to lead in net-zero construction. What steps are being taken—and how close are we to that goal?
At ULCCS, we believe the future of construction must be sustainable and worker-led. Our subsidiary, U-Sphere, was launched to lead this effort—focusing on futuristic, eco-conscious construction across India. Using modular, pre-engineered technologies, U-Sphere reduces construction waste and carbon intensity while promoting renewable energy, eco-friendly materials, and water conservation.
We’ve aligned 14 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals with our operations and are embedding these values into worker training to ensure climate resilience at every level—from masons to engineers.
We aim to cut emissions intensity by 30% over the next decade by using recycled materials, locally sourced inputs, and energy-efficient machinery. Many of our sites now follow a “build, generate and use” model with on-site renewable energy systems. While we haven’t reached net-zero yet, the foundation is in place.
2025 is also the International Year of Cooperatives declared by the United Nations. What is your message?
The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” For ULCCS, this is more than symbolic—it affirms a model we’ve championed for over a century.
To fellow cooperatives: this is our moment. Let’s scale responsibly, diversify into sectors like construction, tech, and renewables, and share knowledge widely. Our real strength lies not in capital, but in collective trust and resilience.
What is the expected rate of growth for this sector now that it also has a ministry? Where do you see it in a decade?
The Ministry of Cooperation has brought renewed focus to cooperative models beyond agriculture and finance. With better funding access, regulatory clarity, and visibility, infrastructure cooperatives are entering a promising new phase.
With analysts projecting 5–6% annual growth in the sector, driven by job creation and regional development schemes, our roadmap is clear. U-Sphere alone targets ₹2,000 crore in projects and 1,000 direct jobs over five years.
In the next decade, cooperative construction could double in scale as governments seek inclusive, accountable partners. With the right support, cooperatives can deliver everything from smart cities to climate-resilient housing.
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