Construction Chamber to upgrade clay brick making industry

Chamber of Construction Industry has designed an action plan to address the problems in the clay brick industry.

This includes use of alternate fuel for firing of kilns converting waste material to in place of firewood that is now used.

Sustainability of the construction sector can be enhanced by changes in practices of clay brick manufacture and sources of fine ingredients.

Clay bricks are manufactured by micro, small and medium scale enterprises. The Chamber in association with Ministry Local Government is now conducting a survey to identify manufacturers of clay bricks in Sri Lanka to assess their capacities and assist them in upgrading their technology while creating a greater awareness for use of alternative forms of energy.

The Chamber has also proposed that clay pits be used for sanitary land filling where possible.

Alterations to kiln designs must be considered to make them energy efficient and to use alternative energy sources. Construction industry tradesmen will have to be retrained in new methods and techniques to conserve material and improve their productivity which will undoubtedly mitigate cost inflationary issues.

With affordable housing shortage reaching 650,000 units with in the next couple of years modernisation of the clay brick manufacturing industry to produce a standard size brick conforming to Sri Lanka Standards would undoubtedly be a cost beneficial endeavour.

Clay brick manufacturers being micro and small enterprises, the chamber will also provide business development services and undertake an aggressive entrepreneur development programme for these enterprises to become more formal structures capable of delivering a cost effective quality product more environmental friendly.