The Indian brick industry is huge. With over 100,000 authorised production units and more than equal number of rural enterprises in the unorganised sector, it provides direct employment to more than 8 million workers, proving to be the single largest source of employment generation. The magnitude of the industry is borne from the fact that it is the third largest buyer of coal, consuming more than 20 million tonnes per annum and using more than 400 million tonnes of fertile top soil per year. With an annual turnover of 140 billion bricks per year, it generates approximately 150 billion rupees business each and every year.

Considering the magnitude of the brick industry, Development Alternatives (DA) started its ambitious journey of initiating reforms way back in 1996 in association with the Swiss Agency of Development and Cooperation (SDC), Government of Switzerland. It was a noble but a Herculean task, considering the resistance to change the industry has shown over more than 100 years. The resistance was from the fact that the conventional practices of brick firing are quite profitable and do not require a high amount of investment.

The attractiveness of the Vertical Shaft Brick Kilns (VSBK) technology was its relatively low investment compared to the high investment Hoffmann and Tunnel kilns promoted by State agencies. However, the emission conditions were disastrous, producing bricks of very poor quality. Nevertheless, it was extremely profitable and the most energy efficient means of brick production, albeit requiring some innovations.

In 1996, an Action Research Programme was initiated by SDC in India to improve the energy efficiency and environmental emissions of the rural brick sector. Obviously, the choice was narrowed down to the VSBK, considering the investment capacity and the small-scale nature of the technology.

A detailed action plan of VSBK introduction was carried out with both national and international experts. The first VSBK was built at Datia, Madhya Pradesh, in central India, entirely with Chinese design, by a team of Chinese experts ensuring know-how transfer to their Indian counterparts. Initial operation of the kiln confirmed the energy saving potential of the technology. However, to suit Indian conditions and the demand of local entrepreneurs, an extensive R&D protocol was initiated. This changed the entire face of the VSBK technology, stressing more upon the energy, environment and product quality aspects. Thus, a new design and operational practices of VSBK took birth in the country. Energy audits carried out proved a net saving of 30% over the best operating technologies. Environmental emissions were reduced by more than 60% with acceptable quality. The environmental performance formed the basis of new environmental standards for VSBK-EcoKilns. The robust energy savings were the main attraction of potential entrepreneurs.

By 2003, more than 30 commercial units were in operation and by 2008, it increased to more than 125. The entire commercial effort was by Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA) with no direct investment from other projects. What has been achieved over the past 5 years may not seem impressive in terms of numbers but it has certainly brought in a sense of urgency in recognising the Indian brick industry amongst the policy makers and regulatory agencies. Thus, instead of localised pollution, emissions have now spread over far off places.

This is probably the first ever carbon finance project in the global scenario in the brick sector. Already, various entrepreneurs in the states of Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and Jharkhand have availed of the benefits of adoption of improved technologies through financial incentives. Various incentives are also provided by various Central and State government agencies, e.g., SIDBI, KVIC, CPCB, Department of Industries, KVIB, DIC in promoting energy efficient VSBK technology towards transforming the brick sector.

Continuing its efforts in transforming the brick sector through technological innovations, VSBK technology has taken roots outside India also. Through South-South collaboration with its major international partner, Skat-Switzerland, VSBK is now being promoted in Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan and also Vietnam. Recent initiatives have also been taken up for introducing VSBK technology in Bangladesh with the support from the World Bank.

The initiative started in India has now taken deep roots and is poised to accelerate in Asian, African and even Latin American countries. To transform this initiative into a major thrust in Asian countries as also globally will still require many more years of efforts. This will also convince the respective countries’ regulatory agencies to facilitate changes, provide early adopters with incentives and building capacities. It will require a regional long-term initiative and involvement of all the stakeholders.

The task yet may seem challenging but beginnings can be made and India has shown the way. q

Back to Contents