Fly ash bricks set to take Punjab company places

Chandigarh-based businessman Ajay Manrai is upbeat about his firm Balaji Bricks. The successful commercial production of bricks containing fly ash has done the trick.

He attributes the success of his firms to the real estate boom in the region. The company has plans to invest Rs 60 lakh in four more machines, leading to a capacity of 100,000 flyash bricks per day.

Speaking to Business Standard in his unit spread over 4 acres, Manrai said with global MNCs like Quark placing mega orders with him, there has been an awareness among regional construction agencies in the private sector. "Investment in the business will largely depend on the demand," he said.

The current capacity of the unit is 50,000 fly ash bricks per day, which are manufactured using a combination of fly ash, lime and gypsum.

In addition, as an alternative to conventional baked red soil bricks, the fly ash bricks also help in fighting against the exploitation of fertile sand and also the fuel spent on burning the bricks. Further, such bricks have water absorption capacity between 7 and 10 per cent thereby preventing dampness and efflorescence.

The cost of the fly ash bricks, which is nearly Rs 2,500 per 1,000, is higher compared with red brick at Rs 2,300 per 1,000 bricks. But Manrai feels that in the long run they prove to be cheaper as such bricks help save work and plaster cost by as much as 25 per cent.

"By having better bonding with mortar & plaster, good resistance to weathering, controlled dimensions, and smooth finish, these bricks are more beneficial. Also plastering over brick surface can be avoided and bricks and blocks can be made in different shapes," he said.

The company started in 1997 when the state government was trying to promote fly ash utilisation. Initially it catered to the demand of CPWD, MES and government department, but now Manrai aims to target to architects and construction agencies.

With the raw material being easily available from Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Plant , Bathinda and Ambuja Cement factory, Ropar Manrai sees a huge demand in the sector.

"If only the sales tax, which is currently 4 per cent be exempted for fly ash brick, it will boost our morale," he said.