Aim – “Be good stewards of our environment, utilizing all of our successes.”
Who we are…
We are a local CSEB block manufacturing organization that sells blocks to individuals and organizations to make great buildings and great homes. We would love to supply you with blocks locally, and we would love to have the opportunity to support you in situations for global disaster relief or housing shortage recovery by starting local businesses.
We are a part of the InnoGroup and were started by Innotec. Innoblocks was initiated by Innotec USA https://www.innotecgroup.com/company-2/ who is a manufacturing company known for high ethical standards and employee empowerment. A key factor of their success over the years would be the strength of company culture. Transforming global communities by merging innovative technologies with sustainable business is a priority for Innotec. InnoBlocks has produced Earth Blocks for over a decade in Mexico, South Africa India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
InnoBlocks Lanka is a key proponent of Compressed Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB) operations in Sri Lanka and is supported and steered by Innotec Group USA of which InnoBlocks is a charitable foundation.
Furthermore, English Tea Shop Organic, a Sri Lankan tea company, is our local partner for this initiative. English Tea Shop works exclusively with small organic farmer clusters in Sri Lanka and is committed to uplifting their livelihoods. The shared value model with English Tea shop brings in the essential local know-how to assist InnoBlocks Lanka to provide an efficient and best suited service to Sri Lanka.
Our first block in Sri Lanka…
Our work was first established in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Northern 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. Currently with modifications and improvements, we anticipate each line will 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, we were able to develop a 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 learned in the North to develop other businesses and yards around Sri Lanka, eventually expanding throughout Asia.
Going beyond earth blocks…
For those who have worked on a CSEB project, it is more than a job. It is a lifestyle, culture and belief. Promoting CSEB as an alternative to traditional burnt bricks benefits the environment and provides a guilt free decision for homeowners- a comfortable and thermal living space that also protects the earth’s sustainability.
Homes not Houses – EU Project
This project was funded by the European Union in 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. 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 on almost three decades. Sri Lanka finally was able to end this war in 2009, bringing peace to the country and to families and communities that were severely scarred. 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 provided 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 its beneficiaries through a stringent process and a “homeowner driven approach”. This concept required the beneficiaries to contribute towards the building of their dream homes either by cash or by providing labor.
Under a homeowner-driven approach, families could choose from three house designs that easily allow families to expand later as they wish. Each house measured 51 square meters (550 square feet) in size and this project attempted to use locally sourced and environmentally friendly materials and construction technology. This meant beneficiaries had the option of using sustainable construction bricks, Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB), instead of the traditional fired, clay or cement bricks. Construction technologies used promoted low environmental impacts, resource-efficiency and good performance in the local climate.
InnoBlocks Lanka was proudly one of the six main suppliers of CSEB for the “Homes not Houses” Project. InnoBlocks supplied CSEB to the North along with three other suppliers while also supplying to Batticaloa. 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. 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 of 1,258 families have built or repaired their homes, and the remaining 1,127 are in various stages of construction which are due to be completed by March 31st, 2021.
Our Storyline…
2008 – Innotec plant in Mexico was built using CSEB. InnoBlocks is a charitable foundation within the Innotec family of companies.
2010 – Supporting Aureka venture into automated equipment for CSEB
2012 – Partnership on technology development through a Joint Development Agreement with Aureka
2018 – Established CSEB production in Nepal
2019 – Joint venture in Auroville, India for CSEB production
2020 – Establishment of CSEB production yard in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Sri Lanka
2022 – Establishment of CSEB production yard in Tikapur, Nepal