Cleaner Technology for Brick Kilns

The project proposes market buildup through demonstration of the Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln technology (VSBK). The unique selling proposition of the VSBK is its energy efficiency with demonstrated energy savings of at least 30 per cent in comparison to the best existing kilns. Further, the air pollution is reduced by at least a factor of five using this technology. The brick industry is presently faced with serious issues relating to high incidence of air pollution, degradation of

Hand molded bricks

local environment,problems of environmental compliance, and deteriorating socio-economic and working conditions of brick workers. The industry also faces very inadequate engagement between regulatory agencies and brick associations, thus leading to a very difficult situation in the industry to face the rapidly growing demand for bricks in the country.

Thus, there is an urgent need to demonstrate the role of alternate technologies to contain the environmental degradation in this sector. This requires coordinated action by different stakeholders for building the capacity of regional institutions and business networks for sustained dissemination of improved brick technologies on a substantially large scale. The new states of Chattisgarh and Jharkhand are experiencing spurt in demand for clay bricks and both have a dominant presence of movable chimney kilns, presently threatened with closure.

The project proposes to take up market build-up through demonstration of the Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln technology (VSBK). The unique selling proposition (USP) of the VSBK is its energy efficiency, with demonstrated energy savings of at least 30 per cent in comparison to the best existing kilns. Air pollution is reduced by at least a factor of 5 using VSBK technology.

It is expected that by the end of the project, multi stakeholder platform of brick associations, policy makers and regulatory agencies would be constructively engaged in making decisions that supports VSBK dissemination. The commercial service providers, in an alliance with TARA, would be actively involved in providing hardware, supplies and services to VSBK entrepreneurs. A critical number of commercial VSBK kilns, 10 to 15, would be functional in each of the selected clusters. Similarly, five community-owned and managed brick enterprises are expected to be in place. The certification and endorsements of the VSBK technology will be in place along with certified manpower for firing. A system will be working for sharing of information products and technical updates among the stakeholder network, brick entrepreneurs and the VSBK service centre.


Progress this year

During the year under review, project launch workshops were held in Madhya Pradesh and Ranchi, wherein the participants were drawn from the local brick industry, the state government,
environment department, and from related departments of housing and urban development.

Twenty-nine VSBK kilns are operational, and 22 additional contracts have been signed, which would be taken up for implementation during the current year. Three best practice kilns have been identified at Indore, Champa and Guna, for monitoring of fuel savings, emission monitoring and waste utilization. Over 100 persons have been trained in the areas of VSBK operation, construction and firing. The current year is expected to see a spurt in the training activities, in the project. The current year would see increased activities in the areas of engaging policy

A view of Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln

makers, and brick industry associations in decisionmaking,technologies promotion would be carried out in the project states. A variety of manuals, posters, brochures and documents on VSBK would be finalized and disseminated.