ACS Industry Insights – Brick Development Association

Why clay bricks remain the foundation of future building

The clay brick industry is remarkably diverse – from producing highly specialised bricks to restore historic buildings, to creating top-quality bricks for modern homes of every design. While a slowdown in new builds is creating challenges, clay brickmakers – like finely tuned athletes awaiting their Olympic moment – are ready to sustainably ramp up production, confident they can meet demand when growth returns.

Of course, challenges remain. New rival products are entering the market, with some manufacturers wrongly portraying clay brick as outdated. Government policy adds to the pressure, as policymakers are often distracted by the lure of alternatives and unsubstantiated claims. Yet clay bricks remain unmatched when it comes to climate resilience: standing strong against extreme wind, heavy rain, wildfires and even pests.

Strength in challenging times

With a lifespan of over 150 years, excellent recycling credentials, and a heritage spanning millennia, clay brick is a proven, sustainable building material. Brickmakers are investing heavily in innovation too – from advanced firing and kiln-control technologies to the use of green energy sources. For high-volume production, the sector is actively exploring hydrogen and electric firing, alongside dematerialisation and additive technologies. Collectively, brickmakers have already invested tens of millions of pounds over decades on their journey to Net Zero.

Skills are another challenge, but here too brickmakers are proactive, bringing in new talent to meet the needs of tomorrow. Meanwhile, concerns over the UK’s Emissions Trading Scheme persist – a mechanism that penalises domestic energy-intensive manufacturers while doing little to deter high-carbon imports. Even a future Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is unlikely to fully address this imbalance.

On top of that, UK manufacturers face some of the highest energy costs in the world, competing with countries that subsidise industry or still rely on coal-firing and Russian gas. The UK’s clay brickmakers embrace robust environmental legislation, but unrealistic targets designed more to generate revenue than to support industry risk stifling progress.

Nevertheless, the sector continues to rise to every challenge. Pioneering companies like ACS, working alongside the Brick Development Association, demonstrate how collaboration, heritage, and innovation can ensure clay brick remains a dependable, beautiful, and sustainable product for generations to come.