SELECTION OF CONSULTING FIRMS BY THE WORLD BANK GROUP
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)
Electronic Submissions through WBGeProcure RFx Now
ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW
Assignment Title: Comprehensive Assessment of Alternative Bricks for Sindh, Pakistan
Assignment Countries:
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION
Background
Pakistan stands as the third largest brick producer in the world after China and India, producing over 70 billion bricks annually. With approximately 20,000 bricks kilns nationwide, these kilns predominantly rely on local coal, consuming approximately 2.5 million tonnes during FY2023-24. This accounts for 25% of the total locally produced coal,and7% of Pakistan’s industrial process GHG emissions. In addition to coal, various types of biomasses (rice husk, firewood, and cow dung etc.), plastic, waste oil, worn-out tires and other materials are used for firing the bricks. This results in substantial black carbon emissions that contribute significantly to environmental degradation and health hazards. Despite the environmental impact, the majority of kilns continue to use traditional Fixed Chimney Bull Trench Kilns (FCBTK) and Moving Chimney Bull Trench Kilns (MCBTK),with around 40% of kilns adopting cleaner technologies like Zig-Zag Kilns, which can reduce the coal consumption by 20%. However, the Pakistan Energy Outlook Report 2021-2030 forecasts a 50% increase in coal demand by 2030 in both the cement and brick kiln industries, exacerbating these environmental challenges.
The environmental impact of Pakistan’s brick kiln sector is particularly severe, with emissions exacerbating regional air quality issues and affecting climate-sensitive areas such as the Himalayas. With 90% of brick kilns located in Punjab and Sindh, the need to transition to cleaner production methods is underscored by seasonal smog episodes during winter and air pollutants leading to adverse effects on human health. Traditional firing methods in these kilns are not only environmentally detrimental but also inefficient in terms of operational costs and time. For instance, traditional firing methods typically require 30 days for manufacturing, involve on average over 200 workers, and operate only six months a year due to seasonal constraints.
The imperative to shift towards sustainable construction materials in Pakistan aligns with World Bank’s Pakistan Country Climate and Development Report(CCDR), and also national efforts to enhance climate resilience and resource efficiency. The World Bank-supported Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project (SFEHRP, P180008) aims to support reconstruction of 2.0million houses post 2022 floods in the province to multi-hazard resilient standard. A key element is to support reconstruction of kutcha houses into pucca houses to enhance resilience to future climate disasters. Traditionally, kiln-fired bricks have been a staple in rural Sindh for constructing pukka houses, despite their high carbon footprint. The project aims to explore the potential to shift away from such bricks into affordable, multi-hazard-resilient, and eco-friendly alternatives. To begin with, in partnership with UNIDO and InnoCSR, the project has initiated the pilot of the Good Bricks System—a non-fired brick technology for 20 houses, reducing manufacturing time by 75% to just 7 days, requiring minimal labor (15-20 people), and boasting significantly lower carbon emissions.
The need for this assessment on alternative bricks (AB) in Sindh is crucial in evaluating and recommending viable alternatives to traditional kiln-fired bricks (including Good Bricks mentioned above), with aims to mitigate environmental impact, improve resource efficiency, and support the country’s climate resilience efforts. The outcome of this study should inform more pilots for SFEHRP in Sindh, and guide on how to align the construction sector with global best practices in sustainable development, fostering a more environmentally responsible and economically viable approach to brick manufacturing.
Objective
The primary objective of this consultancy is to review and identify affordable, multi-hazard-resilient, and eco-friendly AB options to replace traditional carbon-intensive fired bricks through an in-depth market analysis for Sindh, Pakistan. This includes a desktop review of available AB solutions in the region and an assessment of their feasibility for adoption through SFEHRP. The findings will enhance the Bank's understanding of the market and inform the design and prioritization of future operations.
Specific objectives of this assignment include:
- Conduct a comprehensive market analysis to identify available ABs options for Sindh, Pakistan, including an assessment of current market trends, key players, and market potential, as well as a desk review of alternative brick technologies available in the broader South Asia region that can be adapted for Sindh.
- Preparation of a comprehensive feasibility study that covers the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of ABs, assessing their viability and performance in Sindh’s context in terms of climate and environmental conditions, soil compatibility, availability of materials, and supply chain management etc.
- Assess the compliance of ABs with climate-resilient and carbon-neutral construction standards, ensuring alignment with Pakistan's sustainability goals and international best practices.
- Evaluate the potential for scaling up the use of ABs for large-scale housing reconstruction projects starting from the SFEHRP, considering factors such as production capacity, supply chain logistics, and market demand.
- Perform a detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing ABs to traditional fire bricks, considering both upfront costs and long-term lifecycle costs, including maintenance and operational expenses.
- Provide clear recommendations on the most viable alternative bricks, identifying potential suppliers, assessing production capacities, and outlining practical implementation strategies to facilitate the adoption of ABs in the construction industry.
FUNDING SOURCE
The World Bank Group intends to finance the assignment / services described below under the following:
- BB: Bank Budget
- TF0C3561: GFDRR
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility restrictions apply:
- [Please type list of restrictions]
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The World Bank Group invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms; CV and cover letter for individuals). Please note that the total size of all attachments should be less than 5MB. Firms may associate to enhance their qualifications unless otherwise stated in the solicitation documents. Where a group of firms associate to submit an EOI, they must indicate which is the lead firm. If shortlisted, the firm identified in the EOI as the lead firm will be invited to the request for proposal (RFP) phase.
Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through WBGeProcure RFx Now
NOTES
Following this invitation for EOI, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding.
Only those firms which have been shortlisted will be invited to participate in the RFP phase. No notification or debrief will be provided to firms which have not been shortlisted.
If you encounter technical difficulties while uploading documents, please send an e-mail to the Help Desk at corporateprocurement@worldbank.org prior to the submission deadline.