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International brick forum has Clemson foundation
Nine billion bricks are manufactured in the U.S. every year, and
more than 50 billion are manufactured worldwide. It’s a 10,000-year-old
business, so how does the brick industry know it’s on track
with strength, durability, environmental regulations, and other
issues? Industry members rely on The National Brick Research Center,
an organization of the Clemson University College of Engineering
and Science, to tell them.
This fall, a worldwide group of 750 brick manufacturers and suppliers
descended on Clemson for the 52nd International Forum for Brick
Plant Operators. It is the largest gathering for the industry with
representatives from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia,
Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and South Africa.
Energy savings was the focus this year. “Energy is uppermost
in the minds of all of us these days,” says National Brick
Research Center director, Denis Brosnan. “Last year, in an
effort to conserve energy, we came up with a new way to make bricks
that are lighter in weight. It’s the first time in over 50
years that bricks were ‘re-engineered.’ This year, we’re
looking at alternate fuel sources to operate plants. When you have
this many representatives of the brick industry from different countries,
you’re going to be able to effect change and make a difference.”
National Brick Research Center (NBRC)
director, Denis Brosnan is overseeing a 4,000 square feet addition
to the NBRC facilities at the gateway of the Clemson Research Park.
The new space will be used for expansion of wall performance research.
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