Sustainable Construction: Why Longevity and Responsible Manufacturing Define Clay Brick’s True Value

As conversations around sustainable construction intensify globally, the Clay Brick Association of South Africa – the voice of the industry locally – continues to highlight an often-overlooked truth: sustainability must address both how a product is made and how long it lasts once built.

Insights shared by Keith Aldis, Chief Executive of the UK’s Brick Development Association (BDA), reinforce this dual perspective. On the manufacturing side, the brick sector has significantly refined its approach to transparency and accountability. Since 2001, formal sustainability reporting has tracked key performance indicators across energy, carbon, water, waste, biodiversity and wellbeing. Local sourcing of raw materials, short supply chains and shared industry targets have strengthened responsible production practices. While brick firing requires high temperatures, waste heat is recovered and reused within the process, and the embodied carbon remains locked into a product designed for exceptional longevity.

Yet true sustainability, Aldis argues, lies in certainty. A well-designed clay brick building has a typical lifespan of 150 years. In an era often characterised by short-term solutions and rapid construction cycles, that durability offers reassurance. Even the most efficient building process becomes questionable if the structure itself fails prematurely.

The Association also cautions against sustainability claims that prioritise speed over substance. Offsite construction and circular economy models have their place, but longevity must remain central. Clay brick buildings adapt over time through extensions, façade upgrades and internal reconfigurations, sustaining both material integrity and functional purpose.

As South Africa continues to address housing demand and urban growth, the Clay Brick Association underscores a clear message: sustainable construction must satisfy both the process and the product. Longevity, resilience and proven performance remain the foundation of responsible building, today and for generations to come.

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