Sustainable small-scale brick production
Practical Action
of SMEs. Better firing, combined with other improvements in production, can raise the quality
of the end product, increase access to markets and improve commercial viability.
Practical Action has experience that suggests that the introduction of radically different
technologies, such as vertical shaft kilns (VSKs), are more likely to fail, due to non-technical
problems within SMEs since they require more comprehensive development and support
services. The participation of producers is an essential factor in successful technology
development or adaptation. The existence of a market for a range of different qualities of
bricks is equally important. Fortunately, in most locations, brick producers do not seem to
suffer from a lack of demand, whilst that helps to maintain their commercial viability, it may
actually diminish their willingness to change.
References and further reading
• Assessing the Technical Problems of Brick Production a Guide for Brickmakers and
Field-Workers, Practical Action Technical Brief,
• How to Measure the Energy Used to Fire Clay Bricks: A Practical Guide for
Brickmakers, Field-workers and Researchers Practical Action Technical Brief,
• Ten Rules for energy Efficient cost Effective Brick Firing, Practical Action Technical
Brief,
• Moulding of Clay GTZ Technical Brief, Gerhard Merschmeyer, 2001,
• Brick Clamps GTZ Technical Brief, Tim Jones, 1995,
• Bull’s Trench Brick Kiln GTZ Technical Brief, Henrik Norsker, 1995,
• Hoffmann Kilns GTZ Technical Brief, Tim Jones, 1995,
• The Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln GTZ Technical Brief, Tim Jones, 1997,
• Bibliography on using waste in fired-clay brickmaking Otto Ruskulis, GTZ
2000
• Drying of Clay Bricks and Tiles Gerhard Merschmeyer, GTZ, Technical Brief 2000
• Firing of Clay Brick and Tiles , Gerhard Merschmeyer, GTZ Technical Brief 2000,
• Preparation of clay for Brickmaking, Gerhard Merschmeyer, 1999,
• The Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln: A problematic introduction into Pakistan, by Tim Jones,
GTZ Technical Brief, 1997,
• Small and Medium Scale Brick and Tile Production in Ghana, GTZ Technical Briefs,
by Dr. A A Hammond, 1997, (part 1), (part 2), (part 3).
• Igloo Type Brick Kilns in Zimbabwe, GTZ Technical Brief, by Peter Tawodzera,
• Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln – Technology Transfer – Indian Experience, GTZ Technical
Brief, 1998, K. R. Lakshmikantan, (No. 1 part 1), (No. 1 part 2), (No. 2)
• Utilization of Cow-Dung in Brickmaking, Mohammed Majzoub, GTZ Technical Brief,
Practical Action Sudan, 1999,
• Utilization of Bagasse in Brickmaking Mohammed Majzoub GTZ Technical Brief,
Practical Action Sudan, 1999,
• Utilization of Agricultural Wastes in Brick Production – 1, Firing of Clay Bricks and
Tiles with Rice Husks in Periodically Built Clamps in Tanzania, GTZ Technical Brief,
by Gerhard Merschmeyer, 2004,
• Utilization of Agricultural Wastes in Brick Production – 2, Firing of Clay Bricks and
Tiles with Coffee Husks in Permanent Built Kilns in Uganda, GTZ Technical Brief,
Gerhard Merschmeyer, 2004,
• Selected Bibliography on Brickmaking in Developing Countries, GTZ Technical Brief,
by Otto Ruskulis, 1999,
• Preparation of Clay for Brickmaking Gerhard Merschmeyer, GTZ, 1999
• Village-Level Brickmaking Anne Beamish, Will Donovan, GTZ, 1993
• How to Start a Small Clay Brick and Tile Making Enterprise, GTZ Question & Answer,
Responses to Frequently Asked Questions,
• The Basics of Brick Kiln Technology, by Tim Jones, Ein Titel von GATE, Friedr. Vieweg
& Sohn, Braunschweig / Wiesbaden, Germany, 1996
• The Clay Brick Industry: Improvement of Resource Efficiency and Environmental
Performance, by Burt Hamner,
Article provides brief details on improving efficiency and reducing waste in clay brick
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