In order to improve technological and drying properties of argillaceous raw materials and to produce face brick of light color shades from low-melt and red-burning clay, a modification of carbonate-containing additive, in a form of oil-slime utilization product, was carried out. An influence of a concentration of an additive on structure and properties of a modified mixture is discussed. Structure of ceramics and chemical composition of minerals formed during burning is studied, their influence and an influence of organic component of the additive on a change of color and properties of ceramic brick, manufactured by means of plastic molding method, are identified.