NIT Rourkela Patents Eco-Friendly Method to Produce Black Terracotta

• NIT Rourkela researchers develop a green process to make black terracotta.
• New method uses vacuum-based indirect heating to avoid toxic emissions.
• Technology blends traditional craftsmanship with modern ceramic engineering.

Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have patented an eco-friendly technique to create black terracotta wares, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional methods that rely on heavy smoke and manual monitoring. The invention was developed by a team led by Prof. Swadesh Kumar Pratihar from the Department of Ceramic Engineering, along with Senior Technical Assistant Shiv Kumar Verma and research graduate Rupesh Mandal.

The new process combines age-old artisan practices with scientific innovation. It uses indirect heating inside an air-depleted, enclosed chamber, which eliminates the need for open-pit firing and drastically reduces the release of toxic gases. According to the researchers, this approach makes production safer for workers and better for the environment.

Terracotta, meaning 'baked earth' in Italian, has been widely used in India for cookware, temple art, and roof tiles. Most terracotta items turn red during firing because iron-rich clay oxidizes in the presence of air. Black terracotta, valued for its shine and mirror-like finish, is traditionally produced through labor-intensive methods like those seen in Nizamabad in Uttar Pradesh or Nixi village in Tibet. These processes require specialized clay, organic fuel, continuous supervision, and often involve smoke-heavy firing techniques.

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Prof. Pratihar noted that existing methods can take up to two days and release harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides. The patented technique removes these risks while preserving the beauty and cultural value of black terracotta craftsmanship.

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