Bangladesh is drawing a clear line on a major issue for the brick supply chain, and for everyone who builds with brick. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo warned that wood cannot be used as fuel in brick kilns, while arguing that the goal is to cut pollution by moving the industry toward cleaner, modern technologies instead of closing kilns outright.
Mintoo made the comments during a meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat with leaders of the Bangladesh Bricks Manufacturing Owners Association. The discussion focused on the environmental impacts of brick manufacturing, air quality management, and steps to control pollution.
The minister also acknowledged brick’s role in the built environment, saying it remains an essential construction material because alternatives are not yet fully available. At the same time, he flagged another pressure point for the sector: the ongoing use of topsoil to make bricks, which he said is degrading agricultural land and reducing soil fertility. He called for exploring alternative sources of raw materials.
State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam said the government would not be lenient toward illegal brick kilns. He also emphasized the need for a quality standard policy for coal used in kilns, noting that coal with high sulfur content adds significantly to environmental pollution.
For designers, builders, and mason contractors watching material availability and public scrutiny, the message is that brick production is being pushed toward cleaner fuels, better-controlled combustion, and tighter enforcement. As kilns upgrade and policies tighten, questions around fuel type, raw material sourcing, and consistent product quality are moving closer to the center of the conversation.
Read the full, original article from The Financial Express here.