Haryana Directs 77 Brick Kilns to Adopt Paddy Straw Pellets: CAQM Mandate, Technical Challenges, and Industry Impact

On November 26, 2025, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) issued formal directives to 77 brick-kiln operators in Yamunanagar district, mandating the adoption of paddy-straw–based biomass pellets in their fuel mix. This regulatory action marks a significant escalation in enforcement of the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) broader biomass co-firing mandate targeting brick kilns across Punjab and non-NCR districts of Haryana.

The directive represents a critical inflection point for India's brick manufacturing sector, which has historically relied almost exclusively on coal as its primary fuel source. With approximately 140,000 brick kilns operating across India—and several thousand concentrated in Haryana and Punjab—the transition to biomass-augmented fuel systems has profound implications for air quality, agricultural waste management, and rural economics.

To help kiln owners evaluate cost scenarios, our biomass fuel pricing tools provide real-time insights that support better decision-making during this transition.

The Regulatory Framework

CAQM's Biomass Mandate for Brick Kilns

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, has progressively expanded its mandate beyond thermal power plants to include brick kilns—a sector responsible for significant particulate matter and carbon emissions.

Unlike thermal power plants where co-firing requirements are relatively uniform (5-7% biomass blend), the brick kiln mandate adopts a more flexible "gradual adoption" approach, recognizing the sector's unique technical constraints and the predominance of small, family-owned operations with limited capital for equipment modifications.

The phased implementation timeline requires:

• •Phase 1 (2025-2026): Pilot adoption in high-pollution districts with mandatory reporting
• •Phase 2 (2026-2027): 20-30% biomass blend for kilns in NCR-adjacent districts
• •Phase 3 (2027-2028): Progressive scaling toward 40-50% biomass content where technically feasible

Geographic Scope and Targeting

The mandate currently covers Punjab and non-NCR districts of Haryana—precisely the regions producing massive quantities of paddy straw annually. Yamunanagar district, where the recent HSPCB action occurred, produces approximately 800,000 tonnes of paddy straw each harvest season, most of which historically burned in fields post-harvest.

By targeting brick kilns in these agricultural regions, regulators aim to create localized circular economies: farmers gain markets for crop residue, kiln owners access cheaper fuel alternatives (biomass pellets typically cost ₹6,000-8,000/tonne vs coal at ₹8,000-10,000/tonne on a per-calorie basis), and regional air quality improves through reduced stubble burning and lower kiln emissions.

The Technical Challenge: Why Brick Kilns Struggle with Pellets

Fundamental Differences in Combustion Systems

Brick kilns operate fundamentally differently from thermal power plants or industrial boilers. Traditional Fixed Chimney Bull's Trench Kilns (FCBTKs)—the dominant kiln type in Haryana—use internal firing chambers where fuel is loaded directly into trenches within stacked green bricks. Coal burns slowly over 24-48 hours, radiating heat that gradually cures the bricks.

This design creates specific technical challenges for biomass pellets:

Pellet Disintegration Under Load

Biomass pellets, typically 6-8mm diameter cylinders formed under high pressure, are relatively fragile compared to coal lumps. When loaded into kiln trenches under heavy brick stacks, pellets often crumble into fine powder. This disintegration causes several problems:

• •Airflow disruption: Powdered biomass clogs interstitial spaces between bricks, restricting oxygen flow necessary for combustion
• •Incomplete combustion: Without adequate airflow, pellets smolder rather than burn, generating excessive smoke and failing to produce required heat
• •Uneven temperature distribution: Localized clumping of pellet powder creates hot spots and cold zones, resulting in inconsistent brick quality—some over-fired (cracked/warped), others under-fired (weak/porous)

Combustion Duration Mismatch

Biomass pellets have fundamentally different burning characteristics than coal:

• •Volatile matter content: Biomass contains 70-80% volatile matter vs 20-35% for coal.
• •Heat release profile: Pellets release heat rapidly over 2-4 hours, whereas coal provides sustained heat over 24+ hours.
• •Ash characteristics: Biomass ash (8-12% by weight) is lighter and flakier, which can affect firing consistency.

These issues are well-documented in emissions and fuel-combustion advisories published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Moisture Sensitivity in Open Systems

Unlike enclosed boilers, brick kilns are semi-open and exposed to humidity. Biomass pellets absorb atmospheric moisture, which lowers calorific value and leads to structural breakdown during firing.

Industry Response: Exploring Alternative Fuel Forms

Faced with technical challenges, kiln operators are experimenting with:

Chopped Paddy Straw

Operators in Yamunanagar are testing chopped straw (2–3 inch pieces) mixed with coal. Advantages include:

• •Greater structural stability
• •Slower, more controlled burning
• •Lower preprocessing costs

But challenges remain: low energy density, handling difficulty, and heightened fire risk.

Briquettes

Bigger biomass briquettes (30–50mm) offer better structural strength and slower combustion, but cost more than pellets, reducing economic feasibility.

Hybrid Loading

Some kiln owners are layering coal first and biomass on top, achieving 15–20% biomass use with fewer quality issues.

Economic Calculus for Kiln Owners

A medium-scale FCBTK producing 80,000–100,000 bricks per cycle:

Coal-only scenario

• •10–12 tonnes of coal
• •₹90,000–108,000 firing cost
• •36–48 hour duration

20% biomass scenario

• •Coal + pellets total: ₹86,000–107,500
• •Savings: ₹4,000–8,000 per cycle

One of the biggest challenges for kiln owners is price discovery. According to real-time biomass pellet pricing data, paddy straw pellet prices in Haryana range from ₹6,500–8,500/tonne depending on quality and location.

Implementation costs include storage, modified loading systems, labor adjustments, and initial quality loss.

Broader Industry and Environmental Implications

Agricultural Waste Market Creation

Widespread biomass adoption could generate:

• •₹25–45 crore of additional farmer income
• •5–8% reduction in stubble burning
• •2,000–3,000 rural jobs

Digital biomass marketplaces can reduce supply chain friction and increase farmer-to-kiln connectivity.

Air Quality Considerations

Biomass is not emission-free. Poor combustion can increase PM, VOCs, and CO emissions. CPCB and CAQM guidelines stress proper fuel preparation, moisture control, and firing technique to ensure net pollution reduction.

The Path Forward: What Kiln Owners Need

Technical Support

• •CAQM-backed model demonstration kilns
• •Standardized firing protocols
• •On-site support teams for airflow and fuel-mix optimization

Financial Incentives

• •Subsidies for infrastructure
• •Low-interest loans via cooperative banks
• •Performance-based incentives for achieving >25% biomass use

Regulatory Flexibility

• •12–18 month grace periods
• •Temporary relaxation of rejection rates
• •Flexibility in fuel form (pellets, briquettes, chopped straw)

For operators planning procurement, city-wise pellet pricing remains a key decision tool.

Conclusion

The HSPCB directive to Yamunanagar’s brick kilns marks a pivotal moment in India’s biomass transition. Success will require coordinated support from regulators like CAQM, HSPCB, and CPCB, along with industry readiness and local capacity building.

Yamunanagar’s 77 kilns will serve as a bellwether for North India. If the transition succeeds, it could unlock cleaner air, reduced stubble burning, and new rural economic opportunities—all while reshaping the future of India's brick manufacturing sector.