Non-baked construction materials to be recommended

 According to the development program of non-baked construction materials (NBCM) till 2020 approved by the Prime Minister, the overall goal is to produce and use NBCM replacing baked clay bricks to reduce emissions, greenhouse effects, lower waste disposal costs… To implement this program, Binh Duong province has stepped up the research, production and put NBCM into public work construction.

 New materials for the construction industry

Compared to normal burnt clay brick, non-baked bricks have advantages, such as: lower greenhouse gas emission; less fuel consumption; utilizing wastes as raw materials; lightweight, sound-proof, heatproof; accelerating the construction progress… Therefore, the production and use of non-baked bricks is an inevitable trend in the construction sector.

Terrazzo brick production at South Binh Duong solid waste treatment plant

Ngo Van Dinh, Deputy Director of Department of Science and Technology, said since 2011, the department had cooperated with Department of Construction, Department of Trade and Industry to seminars to introduce and promote technology transfer of NBCM and lightweight concrete bricks. The goal was to create opportunities for businesses, organizations and individuals to reach the production technologies of non-baked bricks and lightweight concrete bricks in order to gradually convert the traditional baking technology to new technologies minimizing environmental pollution; thereby, improving the quality of product yield, heightening profitability, competitive capability of enterprises.

Implementing PPC’s policies, some enterprises in the province have built up factories and supplied new brick types. Particularly, Binh Duong Water Supply Sewerage and Environment (Biwase) has took advantage of waste from the waste treatment process, like: ash, sludge, for concrete production, brick worm, terrazzo brick…

Biwase CEO Nguyen Van Thien said, at South Binh Duong solid waste treatment plant, special waste, like: concrete, iron, stone, and other inorganic components, were sorted out, aggregated to produce fresh concrete, precast concrete..., then were turned into terrazzo bricks, brick worms, and other materials to pave yards, sidewalks or public places, contributing to creating cleaner urban landscapes and environmental protection.

The Government approved the development program of NBCM replacing burnt clay bricks. Hence, by 2020, NBCM would occupy 40% construction materials. According to experts, non-baked bricks will gradually dominate domestic market and be used widely by construction works.

Overcoming difficulties

According to Mr. Dinh, the most difficult problem at the present is to select a production technology of NBCM, especially non-baked bricks in construction. In fact, non-baked bricks still use some baked materials. AAC brick production still uses coal (or electric) for burning. Therefore, the selection of technology to produce lightweight products but meeting requirements is very difficult to businesses. The reason is that enterprises must invest heavily in production lines while the consumption is not stable.

Besides, there are not many preferential policies offered to investors, projects to use NBCM. Existing policies just require the use of NBCM to projects having 9 floors and above. Meanwhile, sanctions for the implementation of NBCM preferential policies are not strong enough, thus consumers do not know about NBCM. “Due to lack of information on new materials, customers are reluctant to buy non-baked bricks”, said a construction material dealer in Lai Uyen Commune, Bau Bang District.

Product standards, construction regulations, architectural structures, construction prices of NBCM have not been specified fully. Therefore, it is difficult for architects and engineers to design and estimate NBCM volumes. In addition, convincing investors to choose this new material is also a significant barrier to construction consultants. Another reason is that NBCM prices is 50-60% higher than normal materials, thus people and construction investors are reluctant to choose this material.

Reported by Khanh Dang – Translated by Ngoc Huynh