1. Product Description: Clay bricks are major inputs in the building industry. They are mainly used to construct outside and inside (partition) walls of small and large buildings. Brick products are also used for roof tiles. Common wall bricks have standard dimension of 25X12X6.5 cm. Most wall bricks are solid, but there are also hollow bricks with different dimensions. Hollow bricks are relatively light and have good insulating properties. In general buildings made of clay bricks are cool in summer and warm in winter. Compared to building materials such as hollow blocks asbestos, and other synthetic wall making products, clay bricks have long durability.
2. Rationale: Clay bricks are made from clay soil which can be found in many localities in the Amhara Region. But there is not a single clay bricks making unit in the whole Region. Alls the bricks requirement of the Region is transported form Addis Abab. Clay bricks are one of those construction materials which are expensive to transport long distances. They are usually produced in location close to major construction sites such as main urban centers. Building construction has been expanding during the last few years; and it seems this trend will continue during the coming years. To be self-sufficient in this important building material, at least two or three clay bricks making factories should be established in the region.
3. Market Potential: According to CSA figures, 1991-1996 E.C annual average production of clay bricks by medium and large factories was 14 million pieces. The survey did not include small scale industries which include small units of brick making plants established during the last ten years. If these are included, annual production of bricks in the country could reach close to 20 million pieces. However, more than 90 percent of this production is concentrated in the around Addis Ababa. Since there are no brick factories in the Region and bricks are expensive to transport, the use of clay bricks is not as common as it is for hollow blocks. But considering the advantages that the use of brick has over the use of hollow blocs (long life, absorption of sound, regulating heat, no need of plastering…) there can exist sufficient demand for bricks in the Amhara region which justifies the establishment of at least two small size factories in the region.
4. Raw Material: Clay soil is found in many localities in the Region. For example, the Bahir Dar and Debre Markos areas have clay soil in many sites.
5. Process & Technology: The main processing stages for the production od clay bricks are the following:- Getting clay from the ground and transporting it to factory, preparation of the clay and forming the shape of the brick, drying the “green” clay and finally firing or burning the clay. Main machinery includes tractor and trailers, intermittent chamber kiln, shovels and spades.
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