Examining innovation, local content in Lafarge Readymix 

Innovation and local content are two critical drivers of developing countries’ industrialisation. As a developing country, Nigeria is in dire need of businesses driven by quality research and development (R&D) as well as those that utilise naturally-given resources to drive their productive capacity, according to analysts.

Research has shown that Lafarge Readymix Nigeria currently obtains over 90 percent of its raw materials locally. The company’s primary raw material (cement) is sourced from Lafarge Africa’s cement plants spread across the country. Concrete is also made with fly ash, slag cement and silica fume, all waste products from power plants, steel mills, and other manufacturing facilities found in the country.

More so, in December 2014, Chris Lobel, general manager, ReadyMix, disclosed that in a bid improve the quality of its products and efficiently address specific needs of consumers, Lafarge plc invests €120 million annually on Research and Development ( R&D) annually.

 

While presenting a paper entitled  ‘Commercial ReadyMix concrete as a project enabler-benefits for owners and contractors’ during the stakeholders meeting on building a durable concrete for West Africa construction in Lagos, Lobel said Lafarge ReadyMix Nigeria has a clear strategy as a project enabler to drive  quality and innovation forward.

 

 “Our technical expertise, state-of-the-art plants, and commitment to innovation enable us to make a concrete that can assist our customers with all their construction needs. Our portfolio includes products ranging from standard concrete used in everyday driveways and sidewalks to customised mixes used in complex high-rises that must meet strict design specifications to our proprietary technology, Chronolia, which lets users strip a wall from just a few hours after the concrete arrives on the jobsite,” he said.

Given its near wider usage as a construction material in the modern world, concrete plays a critical role in the sustainability of a society’s built environment, according to analysts.

Concrete builds resilient, enduring and long-lasting structures that will not rust, rot, or burn. Lifespan for concrete building products can be as double or triple as that of other buildings, and with the increasing clamour for environmental consciousness, there is a definite need for homes built with concrete walls, foundations, and floors, stakeholders say.

Also, concrete minimises urban heat islands. Light-colored concrete roads, pavements and roofs absorb less heat and reflect more solar radiation than dark-colored materials, such as asphalt, experts say.

Concrete can also be crushed and recycled into aggregate for use in new concrete pavements or as backfill or road base.

The many applications of concrete for sustainable environment have yet to be fully explored in Nigeria and the country presents a big opportunity in this segment.

 Lafarge Ready mix is set to lead the change in moving Nigeria into a future of sustainable, better cities.

It takes pride of place in delivering quality concrete that meets the specifications ordered. As part of its culture, on-site quality control personnel and laboratory technicians are deployed to ensure improvement in the performance of mixes, while trained plant managers and batchers are consistently on call to monitor each load to ensure that the right concrete leaves the plant.

 

 

Loren Zanin, managing director, Lafarge Readymix, is an industry expert with over 35 years expertise in readymix, quarrying and cement across Europe, South East Asia, Middle East and Australasia. According to Zanin, there are three areas that need urgent attention to ensure sustainable prosperous urbanisation. These include: adequate rules and regulations; a carefully thought-out urban design, as well as a workable financial plan that ensures sustainable growth.