Scientists find eggshells make clay bricks reduce energy consumption by blocking heat
Researchers in Egypt have discovered that incorporating 10% eggshell waste into clay bricks significantly improves their thermal insulation properties. The process creates pores within the brick during firing, which reduces heat transfer and could lead to more energy-efficient building materials for hot climates.
Why it matters
This innovation offers a sustainable way to repurpose food waste while simultaneously reducing energy consumption in buildings, addressing both environmental and construction efficiency goals.
A pile of discarded eggshells could have a surprising second life: inside building bricks. In 2025, researchers in Egypt tested fired clay bricks made with eggshell waste. As part of the study, researchers then found that the right amount of eggshell powder can significantly reduce heat transfer through the material. The study found that bricks containing 10% eggshell waste and fired at 1,100°C recorded a 50% reduction in thermal conductivity compared with ordinary clay bricks. Researchers also found that the thermal diffusivity and thermal effusivity also fell by about 30%.How eggshell waste was added to clay bricksThe researchers collected eggshells, cleaned and dried them, then ground them into powder. The powder was mixed with clay from Egypt's Kharga Oasis. Researchers used different proportions of eggshells ranging from 1% to 10%.The study found that eggshells changed the internal structure of the bricks.
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