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.

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.

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.

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.

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.