Choose The Right Cement Brochure - Lafarge in South Africa

CEMENT 

Choose the right 

Cement 

A guide to selecting the right cement 

for your building requirements

CONTENTS 

Choose the 

Right Cement 

04 

06 

07 

08 

10 

12 

14 

What’s in the 

Lafarge Name? 

What makes a 

Good Cement? 

Misconceptions 

about Cement 

Simple Steps 

for Success 

The Lafarge 

Name 

Lafarge in 

South Africa 


Group

CEMENT 

What’s in a 

Name? 

In 76 countries around the world, 

the Lafarge brand name stands for 

leadership in building materials: 

leadership that has been achieved 

by applying the knowledge within the 

Group to bring innovative products 

and solutions to satisfy the needs of 

our customers. 

The Lafarge brand represents values that set trends in the industry 

today and are an active commitment to sustainable development: so 

vital for the well-being of future generations. Our values mean: 

• respect and nurturing for our diverse employees by providing: 

- equitable employment opportunities 

- development opportunities to encourage everyone to reach 

their full potential 

• proactively translating our concern for the environment into 

action plans for: 

- rehabilitating our quarries 

- reducing ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions through better 

technology and innovative fly ash extended products 

- reducing the dependence of the cement industry on nonrenewable 

resources 

• social responsibility: 

- assisting the development of neighbouring disadvantaged 

communities, by setting up learnership programmes, to 

create a core of marketable skills 

- actively promoting closer long term relationships by 

assisting in problem solving and demonstrating real concern 

for the well-being of nearby communities. (Lafarge recently 

resolved a historical land issue at their Tswana Lime Quarry. 

Compensation was paid to members of the Bodibe tribe in 

the North West Province when it was discovered that they 

had been displaced from land currently quarried by the 

company.) 

PAGE 4 | CHOOSE THE RIGHT CEMENT | 2008

Our commitment to South Africa and its future has 

been emphatically demonstrated by our R1,2billion 

investment in Project Rainbow, our one million ton 

cement capacity expansion that will come on stream 

in early 2009. 

We value our name and everything it stands for. We 

want each of you to be confident that the Lafarge 

name on a bag of cement brings you good value, 

reliable quality performance, back up service and a 

range of benefits that contribute to the success of any 

concrete work. 

Choosing a cement can be the difference between 

success and failure, profit or loss, endless comebacks 

or referrals for new business. Choosing the right name 

is the wise choice! 

“The major investment 

that Project Rainbow 

represents demonstrates our 

commitment to helping build 

a better future for all our 

people and to being a longterm 

significant business 

player in South Africa’s 

construction materials 

industry …” 

Albert Corcos 

CEO Lafarge Industries 

My regards 

Ilsé Boshoff 

National Marketing Manager 

Lafarge Cement 

2008 | CHOOSE THE RIGHT CEMENT | PAGE 5

CEMENT 

What makes a 

Good Cement? 

At Lafarge, cement is not a commodity but the exciting 

bond that enables the creation of luxury apartment blocks 

reaching a mile into the sky, huge sports stadiums, graceful 

bridges, massive dams, elegant sculptures or just a simple 

dwelling that you can call home! 

We involve ourselves in the work of architects and developers and 

pioneer cements that extend the boundaries of design. We talk to 

new construction entrepreneurs and DIY homeowners and innovate 

more user-friendly, efficient products and support services. We work 

at building long-term business relationships. We listen to the market’s 

needs and innovate new products and services that differentiate us 

from our competitors. 

Customers have the basic protection in South African law that, with the 

phasing out of the SABS Mark, eventually all bagged cement sold in 

the country will have to display a Letter of Authority number. This will 

give the assurance that the cement has been formulated to achieve 

the strength specified on the bag. 

Our cements are designed to give you more: 

• Industrial control standards that ensure consistent high quality. 

• Product performance and handling properties that exceed your 

expectations. 

Lafarge products are backed by service: 

• Access to technical advice from our Quality Department 

Southern Africa. 

• Innovative general support service through our Customer Care 

Centre, “CELIA” (Customer Excellence at Lafarge in Action). 

CELIA has been set up to provide customers with a user-friendly 

channel for quick and effective resolution of any problems. 

A word of advice from an experienced builder: 

“Save on the cost of your building materials by good 

control, never by lowering quality – it is a false economy!” 


Misconceptions 

about Cement 

Myth: “It says 50kg on the bag, so it must contain 50kg of 

cement!” 

Fact: It should contain 50kg but it is a case of ‘Buyer Beware’! 

Not all companies have accurate enough equipment or the 

management systems to achieve this. 

Buy a well-known brand name product. The Lafarge name 

is your guarantee: our Lichtenburg Cement Works has also 

been certified to display the SABS e-mark on its cement 

packaging, assuring buyers of the mass of cement they have 

paid for. 

Myth: “Cement extenders reduce the quality of a cement.” 

Fact: On the contrary, research and development over the 

last thirty years has shown that, formulated correctly, 

quality extenders significantly improve many performance 

characteristics of hardened concrete, while making concrete 

and mortar mixes more user-friendly for the builder. 

Myth: “Any cement will do for general construction work: just go 

for the cheapest!” 

Fact: Why risk having a poor concrete job? Ask your builder’s 

merchant for advice. A good quality branded cement can 

make concrete and mortar mixes that are easier to mix 

and place. The finished concrete is also stronger and more 

durable. 

Myth: “A good mortar depends only on how well you mix the 

materials.” 

Fact: Thorough mixing of the materials until a uniform colour 

is achieved is always essential to avoid a patchy finished 

appearance and areas of weak strength. However, a good 

quality cement, especially one based on fly ash (e.g. 

Buildcrete), makes mixing easier. The resulting more 

workable, ‘buttery’ mix leads to a higher work rate. 

Myth: “The strongest concrete is made with pure cement, not the 

cements blended with extenders.” 

Fact: Properly cured concrete containing quality extenders 

will achieve a more durable and higher ultimate strength 

concrete. 


CEMENT 

Simple Steps 

for Success 

Whether building a dream home or furthering a business, 

success comes from paying attention to some basic principles: 

• Use reliable quality materials 

• Avoid wastage by using good 

materials and good control 

• Plan your work carefully 

• Be absolutely consistent with mixing your 

concrete, mortar or plaster: short cuts are 

the pathway to long term problems 

• Think SAFETY before you start any job 

Solid Foundations 

Out of sight, out of mind! So often foundations are subjected to cost-cutting 

and yet are so important for building a sound, long-lasting structure 

• It pays to employ a specialist to check the soil conditions of the site 

• Prepare an area for mixing. If there is no concrete surface, use 

a sheet of metal to avoid the contamination and water variation 

problems with mixing on the ground 

• Use a good quality general purpose cement. (Buildcrete will give a 

good workable mix for easier handling, placing and finishing. Buildcrete 

mixes also develop their strength quicker – saving time and money) 

• Using a 32,5 strength concrete, the normal recommended mix 

proportions for 15MPa concrete are: 

CEMENT 

CONCRETE SAND 

STONE 

1 Wheelbarrow Load 

(2x 50kg bags) 

3½ Wheelbarrow Loads 


(if you are hand mixing, it will be 

more successful using a smaller 

13mm stone) 

For peace of mind, use 

Buildcrete because you 

cannot change your 

mind and redo the 

foundations once the 

house has been built! 

Good Floors 

Some guidelines on avoiding unsightly cracks, 

powdery patches and colour variations: 

• Mix your materials thoroughly to achieve an even 

colour 

• Add water carefully – too much means weaker 

concrete and poor finish 

• For cement and mix proportions, use the same 

recommendations as above for foundations 

• Cut joints in the slab to prevent movement 

causing ugly cracks 

• A quality cement containing fly ash will give your 

concrete a better surface finish, while being 

stronger and more durable 


Importance of 

Mortar and Plaster 

Quality mortar and plaster work are essential 

to achieve an attractive finish to your home: 

a finish that will add value. Paying attention 

to materials and your mix will help the work 

progress faster and give a durable top-class 

finish: 

• The right quality cement and clean grade of 

sand will be easier to mix and produces an ideal 

workable, ‘buttery’ mix 

• Remember to dampen clay bricks before 

plastering – they are highly absorbent and will 

‘steal’ the moisture from the mix (but do not wet 

cement stock bricks) 

Buildcrete general purpose cement is 

formulated with fly ash and will minimise 

cracking of your floor, while helping you 

achieve a finish to be proud of. 

• Using an ‘R’ early strength class cement will give 

stable brick and block courses sooner, allowing 

the work to progress faster 

• Using a 32,5R strength general purpose 

cement, the normal mix for bricklaying mortar 

and domestic plastering is: 

CEMENT 



PLASTER SAND 

6 Wheelbarrow Loads 

Make quality plastering a 

pleasure with a workable 

Buildcrete mix 

Leakproof Ponds and Pools 

Build it right first time is the best advice anyone can give! Use a quality 

fly ash cement to make durable, impermeable (stops water leaking 

through it) concrete. Cement that helps you achieve a successful 

project. The wise choice is Buildcrete which: 

• Creates a workable mix for easier placing and finishing 

• Needs less water which helps reduce surface cracking 

• Gives a better off-shutter finish 

• The general mix guideline for a watertight concrete is: 

CEMENT 



CONCRETE SAND 


Buildcrete is the user-friendly 

solution to successful 

concrete work 


CEMENT 


Name 

The business of Lafarge meets the basic 

human need for building materials. 

As the world population grows and emerging 

economies look for higher standards of comfort and 

infrastructure, the demand for building materials 

increases. Lafarge is conscious of the fact that 

meeting this demand in traditional ways is not a 

sustainable option. Responsible, innovative thinking 

is required, allied to specific action plans. The Group 

aims to play a leadership role in the building materials 

industry searching for ways to allow people to enjoy 

the benefits of economic growth, while minimising 

the damaging impact on our earth. The Lafarge name 

stands for: 

• A vision to be the undisputed leader in building 

materials 

• A commitment to be ranked among the 

world’s most effective industrial organisations 

in terms of the health and safety of our 

employees, protection of the environment, social 

responsibility and corporate governance 

• Unequalled technical resources that develop 

innovative, user-friendly cements to make 

concrete work easier and more successful for 

today’s users, while anticipating the construction 

challenges of tomorrow 

(For more on Sustainability, see the page 12 section on 

“Lafarge in South Africa”) 


What a Lafarge Bag of Cement Means for You: 

- An assurance of quality and performance 

- A product designed to meet your needs: needs that have been 

identified from our work with architects, engineers and everyone 

in the construction process 

- A formulation that has benefited from the international Group’s 

technical know-how to create an innovative, user-friendly product 


CEMENT 

Lafarge in 

South Africa 

Lafarge Cement 

Lafarge Cement is one of the major cement producers 

in Southern Africa. We have: 

• A 2,4million ton per annum cement facility at 

Lichtenburg in the North West Province 

• One of the largest and most technically 

advanced cement works in the country 

• R1,2billion invested in a one million ton 

cement capacity increase project (“Project 

Rainbow”), due to come on stream in early 

2009 

Quality Assurance 

Our Lichtenburg Cement Works is SABS/ISO 9001- 

2000 listed and its cement products: 

• Comply with the latest EN standards 

• Carry the SABS mark of quality on the 

packaging (which in terms of the latest 

legislation is being is being replaced with 

a Letter of Authority number signifying 

government authorised approval of quality.) 

• Display the SABS e-mark, which certifies that 

the packaging equipment and management 

systems have been audited and approved 

by the SABS. (The Lafarge name means 

customers receive the quantity in the bag that 

they have paid for. The SABS has endorsed 

this at the Lichtenburg Cement works.) 

Technical Resources: 

At Industria in Gauteng, Lafarge Cement has the 

unique technical and laboratory resources of 

Quality Department Southern Africa (QDSA). QDSA 

operates what is probably one of the largest and 

most respected Accredited Civil Engineering testing 

facilities in Southern Africa. 

Concern for People 

Our people are the heart of our company: 

• Health & Safety is our No. 1 priority 

• Our HIV/AIDS prevention and care programme 

is used as a model in other developing 

countries 

• Our training centre and sponsorship schemes 

help develop our own employees to their 

full potential and also offer advancement 

opportunities for persons from local 

disadvantaged communities 

Environmental Responsibility 

For many years, Lafarge has led the industry in a 

programme of action plans to push the boundaries 

of sustainable development. This stems from the 

Group’s belief that a responsible corporation must 

leave a legacy of good resources management for 

our children. 

Our aim is to be the most innovative and the most 

responsible in the industry for providing solutions to 

environmental issues: 

• The South African Cement Business Unit 

has won a Group annual award for the 

Highest Reduction in CO 2 emissions. A major 

contribution to this achievement was the 

development of our innovative fly ash extended 

cements 

• Lafarge Cement is the only company in South 

Africa with a full range of extended products 

based on fly ash 


Sustainability involves social responsibility 

Lafarge looks for suitable partners to help channel 

its experience and technical skill with building 

materials into sustainable development projects for 

underprivileged local communities. With regard to 

housing, this means focusing on giving people the 

skills to carry on building and starting businesses, as 

well as donating building equipment and materials. 

Lafarge has formed partnerships with: 

• Habitat for Humanity: Lafarge was a major 

donator of building materials and a provider of 

enthusiastic employees who volunteered their 

services for housing projects in Sherwood, 

Durban and Mamelodi in Tshwane 

• The National Home Builders Registration 

Council: Lafarge is involved in major SA 

government housing development initiatives 

at Cosmo City, Bela Bela and Witbank. 

While sponsoring building materials and 

equipment, Lafarge also sponsors the training 

of disadvantaged youths and women in building 

and business skills 

Fly ash and the environment: 

Fly ash is an environmentally-friendly product. 

Lafarge Cement’s increasing use of fly ash as 

a component of building materials is making 

a significant contribution to sustainable 

development by: 

• Reducing the use of non-renewable 

resources such as limestone and coal 

• Reducing carbon dioxide emissions from 

cement plants 

• Recycling a waste-product of coal 

burning power stations which cuts back 

on the landfill sites 

For more information visit the website at 

www.lafarge.co.za 


CEMENT 

The Lafarge Group 

Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, with top-ranking 

positions in all of its businesses: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete and 

Gypsum. The Group’s 90 000 employees in 76 countries, generated 

sales in 2007 of Euros 17,6 billion (over R210 billion). 

The Group is: 

• Customer focused 

• Concerned for people’s well-being 

• Concerned for the future 

Concern for the environment 

Lafarge is the 

only company in 

the construction 

materials sector 

to be listed in the 

2008 ‘100 Global 

Most Sustainable 

Corporations in the 

World’ 

Lafarge combines its skills and technical resources 

with the expertise of others for greater effectiveness in 

the environmental control field: 

• Lafarge was the first industrial group to 

enter into a worldwide partnership with the 

environmental protection organization, WWF 

(World Wide Fund for Nature). 

• Lafarge is a founding member of CSI (Cement 

Sustainability Initiative) which actively promotes 

responsible management and the worldwide 

reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by the 

industry. 

• Lafarge is co-chair of the “Energy Efficiency in 

Buildings” Project, which works towards the 

objective of zero net energy use in buildings. 

Leading the way with technology 

The Group technical resources include: 

• employing over 500 people throughout the world 

in research and development on materials of 

construction 

• operating the world’s largest building materials 

research laboratory 

• exchanging technical knowledge between 

Lafarge’s 150 cement and clinker facilities 

around the world 


For more information visit the website at 

www.lafarge.com 

For you, the customer, the most important 

benefit of a good name brand is: CONFIDENCE 

Confidence that the name of Lafarge stands for 

reliable, consistent quality, innovative cement that 

gives you better value not only today but every 

day. 

Confidence that you will be 

making the right choice! 

For help with cement queries, phone: 

Toll-Free: 0800 110 104, or 

Call Centre: 011 257 3085 

Lafarge Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd, 

Head Office 

Woodmead, Sandton, Gauteng 

Tel: 011 257 3100 

Call Centre: 011 257 3085 


Lafarge Industries 

South Africa (Pty) Ltd 

Buildings 3&4 Country Club 

Estate, 21 Woodlands Drive, 

Woodmead, 2191 

Tel: (011) 257 3100 

Fax: (011) 257 3052 

www.lafarge.com 

www.lafargecement.co.za 

November 2008

Choose The Right Cement Brochure - Lafarge in South Africa

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