brickworks

Brickworks are industrial facilities where bricks are manufactured from clay or other minerals. The process typically begins with the preparation of raw materials, including crushing, screening, and mixing with water. Bricks are formed by extrusion or moulding, producing units of a standardized size. After forming, bricks are dried to reduce moisture before firing. The firing stage occurs in kilns at high temperatures, typically around 900 to 1,200°C, which vitrifies the clay and gives brick strength and durability. Kilns range from traditional clamps and intermittent kilns to continuous tunnel or Hoffmann kilns, with modern plants often employing automated handling and quality control systems.

Most brickworks produce a range of products, including common bricks for structural walls, facing bricks for exterior finishes, engineering bricks with low porosity and high strength, and perforated or glazed bricks. Some facilities also manufacture brick-like products from concrete or calcium silicate as alternatives. The exact specifications and names of bricks are governed by regional standards.

Historically, brickworks have existed since ancient times, with fired bricks used in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and later in many civilizations. The industrial era introduced mechanization, standardized brick sizes, and large-scale kilns, transforming brick production into a mass industry. Today brickworks emphasize energy efficiency, emissions control, and waste management, while adopting digital automation and supply-chain integration.