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Sustainable Clay Brick in the sea

Industry Views

Learn what the industry has achieved, what it is striving for and why they agree on a built environment designed to last for generations.

Ceramics in the built environment
Sustainable Brick Header Image

Why Brick?

Clay bricks are natural, durable and thermally efficient products that will last for hundreds of years and can still be recycled or reused.

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Sustainable Clay Brick in flowers

HyBrick

Utilising green electrolytic hydrogen for an innovative study that aims to transform the brick manufacturing industry.

Fuel switching alternatives

Sustainability

Sustainability consists of fulfilling the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.

Sustainability Initiatives

What is SustainableBrick.com?

SustainableBrick.com aims to be a resource for industry news, innovation and information regarding the sustainability of clay products. Its aim is to highlight technology advancements, decarbonisation strategy projects, investments and compelling initiatives to support the sector as it continues to evolve in the transition to net zero. Its goal is to also inform specifiers, homeowners and housebuilders as to why clay brick is the oldest manmade building product and why you should continue to build with clay brick to advocate for a sustainable built environment for the future.

1Innovation

Embracing new Innovation and technologies is key to the transition to net zero. Switching to alternative fuel sources can significantly reduce carbon emissions, as demonstrated in the groundbreaking HyBrick project by Michelmersh. This pioneering initiative showcased a remarkable gas emissions reduction of 80-84% switching from natural gas to green hydrogen.

1
Innovation

Embracing new Innovation and technologies is key to the transition to net zero. Switching to alternative fuel sources can significantly reduce carbon emissions, as demonstrated in the groundbreaking HyBrick project by Michelmersh. This pioneering initiative showcased a remarkable gas emissions reduction of 80-84% switching from natural gas to green hydrogen.

2
Circularity

Fired product waste is recycled back into the production process or repurposed as aggregates for roads or even tennis courts. Michelmersh incorporates recycled content in products, such as the porcelain white product made from 44% recycled sanitary ware. The industry simultaneously focuses on collecting and reusing products, such as recovering bricks from construction and demolition waste and collecting packaging for re-distribution such as pallets.

3
Dematerialisation

Dematerialisation drives product development, for example producing products that have less raw material to perform the same function such as thinner bricks which cover the same meter squared footprint of a facade. There is also the ability to use recycled content (reusing materials discarded by other manufacturing processes in different industries) in products to reduce the carbon per unit. Ultimately, thyese products will result in less carbon-intensive production, less transportation, and may result in quicker installation.

BIM BricksBIM Bricks
4
Durability

Clay bricks offer excellent acoustic and thermal insulation due to their density. They are highly resilient, capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions, including flooding. Additionally, clay bricks are exceptionally durable, making them suitable for long-lasting, multi-generational use.

5
Automation

To enhance quality and minimise waste, manufacturers can implement precise product handling and accurate spacing during drying and firing. By utilizing de-hackers and setters, they can ensure there is always careful and efficient movement of products from production to distribution.

6
Natural Materials

Clay bricks are made from natural raw materials; clay, sand and water, which in turn improve the indoor air quality, thermal mass and acoustic insulation of a space and does not require the application/use of harmful chemicals to maintain the product. After material is extracted, it is shaped and fired to create durable bricks. Manufacturers such as Michelmersh utilise rainwater harvesting methods, using mainly recycled and non-potable water sources throughout the manufacturing process.

7
Optimised Distribution

Smart traffic routing, efficiency driver training and the adoption of electric or hybrid vehicles, forklifts, and heavy plant machinery are key measures that help reduce scope 1-3 emissions. Michelmersh and other brick manufacturers are committed to decarbonisation strategies, and they are actively exploring hydrogen-powered heavy plant machinery and implementing electrical forklifts at its sites to further lower carbon emissions in material and product transport. Bricks travel on average under 68 miles as an industry, promoting local products for local markets.

8
Renewable Energy

As sufficient landowners, the brick industry has an ideal opportunity to install renewable energy sources around quarries and factories. Waste heat recycling methods are used in factories to recover heat from kilns and reuse it in dryers, reducing natural gas or electricity usage. Whilst Michelmersh procures the majority of its electricity from renewables it has also undertaken a significant investment programme for the installation of renewables at its factory sites. Manufacturers are also seeking electrification of dryers and kilns which can be powered by renewables and further bringing emissions down.

Hybrick LogoHyBrick
9
Reusability

Clay bricks are one of the oldest man-made building products, with examples of their use from thousands of years ago. Clay bricks are well-suited for designing buildings based on circular economy principles, emphasising long service life and adaptability for sustainable construction. Bricks often built with lime mortar, are more likely to be able to be removed carefully during demolition and reused for multiple buildings, maximising their usefulness and retaining their integrity as a durable product that boasts incredible longevity. Brick can be reused and recycled.

10
Longevity

Clay bricks have a remarkable lifespan of up to 200 years, and there are historical examples of brick structures that are still standing today (thousands of years after they were built). Their longevity reflects their robustness and sustainability, making them a trusted choice for long-lasting and environmentally conscious construction.

Collaboration to achieve net zero

SustainableBrick.com is a Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC initiative that hopes to inspire further engagement and collaboration amongst its peers and the wider sector. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, with an overarching goal to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C.” To limit global warming to 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by 2030. The construction industry is responsible for approximately 40% of global CO2 emissions – and is under pressure to change. Significant opportunities exist for organisations to take on this challenge and Michelmersh is working on a variety of initiatives such as SustainableBrick.com to aid in our transition to net zero.

Buildings using sustainble clay brick

Why use Brick?

Michelmersh is proud to make environmentally friendly, natural, durable and thermally efficient products that will last for hundreds of years and can still be recycled or reused. This inherently tactile, natural and non-toxic product has a multitude of aesthetic qualities; colour, tone, texture, finish and size, all of which add to the flexibility of brick. Ever-increasing in popularity for its credible fire-resistant properties and flood resilience, its sense of safety, solidity and security continue to be the reason housebuilders and homeowners trust in brick to add value to their properties. Brick is additionally recognised for its inherent sustainable credentials, boasting impressive longevity, low maintenance, zero operational carbon, thermally efficient qualities and can continue to be reused through the lives of several buildings, and therefore shaping our architectural environment for generations to come. 

Read more about brick benefits
Sustainable Brick Recycled Content

Recycled Content

Sustainable Brick Aesthetics

Aesthetic Options

Sustainable Brick Flood Resilience

Flood Resilience

Sustainable Brick Reduced Carbon Emissions

Carbon Emissions

Sustainable Brick Longevity

Longevity

Sustainable Brick Temperature Regulation

Overheating

Sustainable Brick Thermal Performance

Thermal Performance

Sustainable Brick Durability

Durability

Sustainable Brick Value

Low cost & Strong Value

Sustainable Brick Air Quality

Air Quality

Sustainable Brick Climate Resilience

Climate Resilience

Sustainable Brick Reusability

Reusable

Sustainable Brick Adaptability

Adaptability

Sustainable Brick Non-combustible

Non-combustible

Sustainable Brick Local

Locally Sourced

Think Longer

By choosing durable materials which have a long lifespan, the expected life of a building can be prolonged, minimising the need for frequent replacements. Additionally, when a building reaches the end of its life, brick can be reused and recycled, extending its usefulness for multiple generations and further reducing waste. This cycle of reuse and recycling exemplifies the importance of incorporating sustainable products in the construction industry, not only for environmental benefits but also for long-term cost-effectiveness and resource conservation.

Read more about the Michelmersh Think Longer campaign Read more about the Michelmersh Think Longer campaign

Latest News

View all News All News
Houlton School Clay Brick Refurbishment Rugby
April 4th, 2024
The circular economy in construction: urban mining

What is urban mining? And how can it help the construction industry reach its Net Zero goals?

Read article
4 minutes read
2024
February 1st, 2024
Ceramics UK Launches New Industry Decarbonisation Roadmap

In a significant move towards a sustainable future, Ceramics UK has unveiled an Industry Decarbonisation Roadmap aimed at advancing the low-carbon transition of …

Read article
2 minutes read
2024
January 19th, 2024
Ceramics UK highlights focus on low-carbon future at 2023 conference.

Ceramics UK recently held its industry flagship conference focussed on decarbonisation, “Delivering Net Zero for British Ceramics” at Staffordshire University with over 150 attendees from across the country.

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2 minutes read
News
December 14th, 2023
Brick Awards: Sustainability Award Winner

This year’s Sustainability Award (sponsored by Michelmersh) at the BDA Brick Awards was won by the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings project

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3 minutes read
Award Winning
July 17th, 2023
Michelmersh launches its latest sustainable initiative: SustainableBrick.com

Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC is excited to release SustainableBrick.com, a bold new initiative that aims to showcase the many benefits of clay brick to specifiers, construction professionals, homeowners and housebuilders.

Read article
4 minutes read
2023
July 3rd, 2023
Michelmersh embraces ESG target for electrical fleet

The Michelmersh Groups’ dedication to decarbonisation is well known throughout the construction industry.

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2 minutes read
Sustainability
May 9th, 2023
Michelmersh drivers reach new levels of efficiency

Michelmersh is pleased to announce that its team of HGV operators have completed a driver efficiency improvement programme and continues to show high standards with progressive results from the fleet’s drivers being scored daily.

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1 minute read
Sustainability
May 31st, 2022
Hybrick – The World’s First 100% Hydrogen Fired Clay Bricks

Michelmersh has announced its successful bid to the BEIS, Industrial Fuel Switching competition to conduct a feasibility study to replace natural gas with hydrogen in the brick making process.

Read article
3 minutes read
Sustainability
January 26th, 2022
Michelmersh releases 2021 Sustainability Report

The Michelmersh Group is proud to release its 2021 Sustainability Report. The Report offers an insightful and detailed account of Michelmersh’s established sustainable practices and its plans for achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

Read article
5 minutes read
Sustainability
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