Humanity’s journey to living sustainably on planet earth penetrates every aspect of our lives and demands innovation and creativity. Our cities contain some of the most complex and intricate infrastructure we know, and the materials from and of which they are constructed hold the potential for some of the most creative solution.

A global leader in building materials has taken this challenge and integrated solutions into their product developments following an intense period of research and development. Tailored for the South African market, Lafarge is launching road shows throughout the country to demonstrate to customers how its Efficient Building Systems (EBS) approach to product development implements the Group’s ambition of ‘Building better cities’.

Infrastructurene.ws was delighted to attend the launch of this initiative in thearchitects, consulting engineers, construction companies and retailers in which a presentation on some of the major projects in their area that had benefited from Lafarge.

“Our innovative products are focused on addressing customers’ needs for efficient, more productive construction methodologies, while meeting society’s need for more durable and beautiful concrete structures,” said Sal Govender, Lafarge South Africa’s National Marketing Manager – Readymix. “EBS provides solutions to meet key criteria for sustainable building: Energy efficiency, Carbon dioxide (CO₂) performance, Cost optimisation and End-user design.”

Lafarge South Africa was the first local cement manufacturer to offer a complete range of extended more environmentally-friendly cements throughout all strength classes.  The company’s concrete products are contributing to the elimination of some traditional building steps, promoting faster working to enhance productivity and cost optimisation. An example is the innovative Agilia^® Vertical readymix concrete, which enables columns and façade panels to be cast faster, without the need for vibration and provides excellent off-shutter finishes that require minimal remedial work.

In the area of energy efficiency, Lafarge Artevia^™ Polish, normally chosen for its attractive marble-like aesthetic appearance, improves the thermal efficiency of a building, compared with many other floor finishing systems, delaying or even eliminating the need for air conditioning.

“Throughout South Africa, the trend to urbanisation is placing huge demands on our municipalities and the skills of everyone in the construction chain,” comments Alta Theron, Lafarge South Africa’s Country Marketing Manager. “We work with architects, specifiers, developers and contractors to develop more efficient building systems. Our technical skill at innovation is contributing solutions for building better cities that will be desirable places for all our people.”

In South Africa, the company manufactures and supplies cement, aggregates, readymixed concrete, gypsum plasterboard and interior building fittings. It focuses on providing solutions to help the sustainable development of better cities that benefit the country’s people. Through having a strong presence in all of its business lines, it is in a unique position to contribute to urban construction, while also helping to build better rural towns and villages.

Lafarge South Africa also demonstrates active concern for the conservation of the country’s wildlife heritage and is a major supporter of the world’s first dedicated baby rhino orphanage in Limpopo Province. The Group has for many years been a leader in sustainable development and was the first industrial group to enter into a worldwide ‘Conservation Partnership’ with the environmental protection organisation, WWF International.

www.lafarge.co.za