Application of crop residue in the brick industry

About the event

ICIMOD – in collaboration with the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), and as lead partner of the CCAC’s Bricks Production Initiative – works on mitigating black carbon and CO₂ emissions from brick production. As part of this collaboration, ICIMOD is organising an exposure visit for Nepali brick kiln entrepreneurs and government officials to Punjab, India. The participants will learn about pellet production and application in the brick industry and discuss investment opportunities and the scalability of this practice in Nepal.

Background

The open burning of crop fields in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, which stretches across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal, is one of the most significant sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the region. Open burning has severe impacts on public health, the economy, and the environment.

A potential solution to this problem is to make pellets from crop residue (which is usually burned) as an alternative fuel for brick and other industries.

The Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST) has been working on producing and using alternative fuels for brick kilns and has developed and tested a scientific and engineering method to make rice straw pellets for use as fuel in brick kiln. ICIMOD recently signed a letter of intent with the PSCST to work on multiple knowledge exchange and training activities related to reducing industrial emissions.