Who we are…
InnoBlocks which is inside the charitable foundation Innogroup Foundation. InnoBlocks Lanka is the a key proponent of Compressed Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB) operations in Sri Lanka and is supported and steered by InnoTech. InnoBlocks, which is a charitable foundation and part of the Innotec group. USA.
InnoTech USA is known for their high ethical standards and employee empowerment for which the key factor of their success over the years would be the tone strength of company culture. Transformation of global communities by merging innovative technologies for sustainable business is a pillar of growth for InnoTech USA.
The perfect partnership between InnoBlocks Lanka and InnoTech USA has thrived for value creation of all stakeholders, specifically the empowerment of employees and environmental responsibility through the concept of CSEB commonly known as Earth Blocks for sustainable construction. Having mastered this art of doing business, InnoBlocks has been producing Earth Blocks for over a decade in foreign lands of Mexico, India, Nepal and now in Sri Lanka.
Our first block in Sri Lanka…
Our work was first established in Puthukkudiyiruppi, North of Sri Lanka in 2019 where we supplied blocks for Habitat for Humanity. We were able to make an average of 3,000 blocks per day with one equipment line and currently with modifications and improvements, we anticipate each line to produce over 5,000 blocks per day.
We were able to provide a tailored service to the North given the diversity of Sri Lankan communities. By building mutual respect and understanding the way of doing things around the villages we were able to develop, manage and complete a well-suited business culture that produced optimal results of earth blocks and construction.
Building Blocks to the future
All team members and beneficiaries of the North project willingly walked an extra mile as a result of healthy business relationships between InnoBlocks Lanka and our stakeholders with the pure intention of sustainable construction and community benefit. We are now committed to leverage what we learnt learned in the North to further develop other businesses and yards around Sri Lanka and expand to all corners of Asia.
Going beyond earth blocks…
For those who have worked on any CSEB projects, it is merely more than a job. It is a lifestyle, culture and belief. Promoting CSEB as an alternative to traditional burnt bricks for construction, contributes to immense environmental benefit and is a guilt free decision for homeowners that not only provides a comfortable and thermal living space but also gives opportunity to contribute for the sustainability of mother earth.
Homes not houses – EU Project
This project was funded by the European Union with partnership with Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka (HFHSL) and World Vision Lanka to build homes for families affected by the civil war in Sri Lanka where InnoBlocks was one of the main suppliers of CSEB as a crucial building material.
In the late 20th century, the island nation of Sri Lanka tore itself apart in a brutal civil war which dragged for almost three decades. Sri Lanka finally was able to end this war in 2009 bringing peace to the country and giving an end to families and communities that were severely scarred throughout. The European Union in giving a new beginning to these families initiated the “Homes not Houses” project in 2016 where 2,385 homes were to be built.
Technical expertise was supported by Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka (HFHSL) for 31 divisions across the Eastern District, Batticaloa and the Northern Districts, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Further forming a fellowship with World Vision Lanka this project selected it’s beneficiaries through a stringent process and a concept of self-reliance of beneficiaries also referred to as a “homeowner driven approach” was effectively managed. This concept required the beneficiaries to contribute towards the building of their dream homes either by cash or by providing labour.
Under a homeowner-driven approach, families could choose from three house designs that easily allows families to expand later as they wish. Each house measured 51 square meters (550 square feet) in size and this project attempted to reap best use of locally sourced and environmentally friendly materials and construction technology. Which gave beneficiaries the option of using sustainable construction bricks, Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) instead of the traditional fired, clay or cement bricks meanwhile promoting construction technologies with low environmental impacts, resource-efficient and good performance in the local climate.
InnoBlocks Lanka was proudly one of the 6 main suppliers of CSEB for the “Homes not Houses” Project. InnoBlocks supplied CSEB to North alongside three other suppliers meanwhile supplying to Batticaloa as well. In total InnoBlocks was able to be an integral part of building 45 dream homes for these deserving families.
The “Homes not Houses’ ‘ project ends in March 2021 and the production and supply of the blocks to the EU project has been successful in every aspect with InnoBlock’s tireless support to the beneficiaries and assistance to HFHSL in fulfilling their commitment to building these homes. Since the project’s launch in January 2016, a total number of 1,258 families have built or repaired their homes and the remaining 1,127 are in various stages of construction which is to draw completion by 31st of March 2021.