Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have achieved a major breakthrough in traditional pottery by developing an eco-friendly process for producing black terracotta wares. The innovation, led by Prof. Swadesh Kumar Pratihar along with Mr. Shiv Kumar Verma and Dr. Rupesh Mandal, has been awarded a patent (Patent No. 572754, Application No. 202531008090).

Terracotta—meaning “baked earth”—has been central to India’s cultural and artistic heritage, widely used for utensils, sculptures, and architectural elements. While red terracotta is common, black terracotta is admired for its glossy, mirror-like finish. Traditional black pottery practices, such as those in Uttar Pradesh’s Nizamabad or Tibet’s Nixi village, rely heavily on organic fuels, skilled craftsmanship, and long firing cycles. These methods often take nearly 48 hours and expose artisans to harmful emissions like carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides.

The newly patented method from NIT Rourkela redefines this age-old process through a sustainable approach. Using indirect heating inside an enclosed vacuum chamber, the technique triggers pyrolysis of carbon-rich oil, generating the reducing atmosphere needed to develop the signature black finish. This modernized process:

• Reduces firing time from 2 days to less than 7 hours

• Eliminates open fires and toxic emissions

• Does not require specialized clay or highly skilled labor

• Ensures uniform black coloration

• Minimizes the environmental and health hazards faced by artisans

According to Prof. Pratihar, the technology “merges traditional artisan knowledge with modern engineering to create a clean, efficient, and sustainable production method.”

This innovation presents a scalable, environment-friendly solution capable of reviving India’s black terracotta craft while preserving its cultural heritage. It enables black terracotta production anywhere, without dependence on location-specific materials or long, polluting processes.

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