Overview

• Rice husk bricks have become the primary building material in southern Kyrgyzstan thanks to their low cost, strong insulation and official endorsement for fire safety.
• Each brick is made of about 60% rice husks bound with clay, cement and a chemical-free glue, with silica content delivering strength on par with cement blocks.
• The initiative repurposes rice husk waste from the Batken region, easing landfill pressure and reducing fire hazards associated with open burning.
• Engineer Noursoultan Taabaldyev’s workshops have produced over 300 homes in five years, and local entrepreneurs are now moving to automate the brick-making process.
• Plans are in motion to export the rice husk brick technology to Kazakhstan, targeting high regional cement prices and cutting CO₂ emissions.