Paving way for alternative to river sand

Hyderabad: Vijay K Kosaraju’s journey in the construction industry is a story of vision, perseverance, and innovation. A mechanical engineer by training, Kosaraju began his professional career in the marketing and sales of heavy earth-moving equipment, serving open-cast mines across India. From there, he moved into material handling equipment, contributing to design, sales, and project execution, and later rose through the ranks at Fenner India Ltd, holding positions from area sales manager to regional manager in Power Transmission Drives.

In the year 2000, Kosaraju took a bold leap into entrepreneurship, founding Robo Silicon Private Limited in Hyderabad. Starting with a small team at a pilot plant in Keesaragutta, near Hyderabad, his goal was to introduce a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to river sand. The company’s flagship product, Robo Sand, quickly gained traction for its eco-friendly and reliable quality. Within a few years, Robo Silicon expanded its operations beyond Hyderabad, setting up plants in Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, and other cities, supplying materials for major projects such as the Hyderabad Airport (2006), Reliance Jamnagar refinery, and Delhi Airport for GMR.

Riding on the success of Robo Sand, Kosaraju diversified his ventures into precast construction solutions. In 2016, he founded Robomatic Precon Private Limited, importing advanced machinery from Finland to manufacture Robo Ecotec Wall, a sustainable alternative to traditional brickwork. By 2018, production began, and the product has since been used in over 100 projects in Hyderabad, as well as in Coimbatore and Chennai. Today, Robo Silicon’s Srisailam Highway plant employs over 100 full-time staff and 150 contractual employees, supporting installations and logistics.

Kosaraju’s told Bizz Buzz,his entrepreneurial journey did not stop there. In 2013, he promoted Rotek Infra Pvt Ltd, focusing on mining, crushing, infrastructure development, and plaster sand production. He also spearheaded Robotek Buildcon Pvt Ltd, marketing AAC blocks across India. His ventures reflect a deep commitment not only to business growth, but also to sustainable construction practices.

Under Kosaraju’s leadership, Robo Silicon’s client portfolio has grown to include industry giants like My Home, Raj Pushpa, Ram Key, Phoenix, L&T, and GMR. From an initial investment of Rs18 crore in the precast wall business, the company has grown to estimated Rs25–30 crore, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in India’s construction sector.

Beyond business, Kosaraju has contributed to the industry at large. He served as President of the Sand Manufacturers Association (SMA), promoting manufactured sand, and as Chairman of the Mines Safety Council (Golkonda region), emphasising safety and sustainability.

From a small pilot plant with just a handful of employees to a multi-faceted enterprise driving sustainable construction across South India, Vijay Kosaraju’s story is a testament to vision, innovation, and relentless dedication. His journey illustrates how one individual’s commitment to eco-friendly solutions and quality can transform an industry, while creating opportunities for countless others along the way.