Semi-dry pressing of bricks. Myths and prospects

Ceramic brick production continues to evolve, regardless of the forming method be it stiff, semi-dry, plastic, or traditional hand-molded” techniques. In the Russian Federation, despite the presence of specialized research institutions such as VNIIstrom, UralNIIstromproekt, NIIkeram, and others, many advancements have come from abroad in the form of fully automated, high-precision technological lines. While these imported systems are efficient and advanced, they are also costly. Their adoption has led to improved brick quality but also significantly increased production costs, resulting in reduced output and the closure of unprofitable factories. Meanwhile, our international counterparts continue their systematic research into new ceramic production methods and equipment-particularly focusing on innovative semi-dry pressing technologies. This article offers a concise overview of the key technological advancements in semi-dry pressed ceramic brick production, many of which were developed by Soviet and Russian scientists.