Workshop on cleaner brick production organised

Tirupati: Speakers at a workshop organised by Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) on ‘cleaner brick production’ stressed on the brick manufacturers to switch over to eco-friendly technology that would safeguard environment and also check denudation of fertile land. N Kalidas, Director, Institute for Solid Waste Research and Ecological Balance (INSWAREB) said that the best option for the brick manufacturers is opting Fly Ash Lime-Gypsum (FaL-G) technology which is proven the best all over the world as it is environment friendly, accelerate production and also bring down cost of production considerably. 

In other words, the FaL-G technology is beneficial both to the manufacturers and also for the users as it ensures high quality, durable and also light weight bricks. He also dwelled at length on fly ash brick manufacturing process and technology while Binakara Ramagowani of Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plant (RTPP), Kadapa spoke on the procurement of fly ash from RTPP or any other thermal power plant. 

Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) senior official Sudarshan Reddy while speaking on the issues related to clay extraction wanted the manufacturers to strictly adhere to the guidelines being set by the Mines and Geology Department to check exploitation of natural resources. He also stressed on the need for manufacturers to adopt modern techniques in brick production that would help reduce usage of clay which in turn would go a long way in conservation of top soil for food production. 

APPCB Joint Chief Engineer M Siva Reddy said that the main purpose of organising the workshop was to bring awareness among the brick manufacturers of Kadapa and Chittoor districts on the imminent need of switching over to modern methods to convert the brick units into eco-friendly and also providing them to know more about the financial schemes being offered by Industries department to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to generate employment more so in rural areas to check migration.