Synergies between the Concrete, Aggregates and Cement Businesses reinforces the Group's positions and provides a competitive advantage in a great many markets. The Concrete Business is particularly innovative and is enjoying significant success with ultra-high performance concretes.
Integration and synergy with the Group’s other Businesses |
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Lafarge's different Businesses are closely linked to each other. In many markets, the Group's cement and aggregates products are used to manufacture ready-mix concrete. Lafarge drives synergies and vertical integration across its different markets. For example: the acquisition of Orascom Cement in January 2008 is a platform for the development of the Group’s concrete capacities on the growing markets in the Middle East and North Africa.
These synergies can also be found in R&D. Parallel research programs in cement, aggregates, concretes and additives give the Group a measurable technological advantage. |
Concrete in IndiaAcquisition 66 concrete plants across the country, with total estimated volumes of 4.1Mm³ in 2008 and a market share of approximately 25%: the L&T Concrete acquisition in India marks an important step in the strategy to develop Lafarge in emerging markets. |
Innovation as a top priority |
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Lafarge is dedicated to the production of concretes that deliver high added value to customers. “TURBO”, the R&D program specific to the Concrete Business, saw its budget grow by 85% between 2006 and 2009! It is focused on developing the concretes of the future:
Market penetration of value-added concretes has increased and should account for 35% of the Group's concrete production in volume. The major international brands Agilia®, Artevia®, Ductal®, Extensia® and Chronolia®, reinforce the Group’s leadership in this sector. |
Concrete without cracksExtensia®, a new dimension in concrete Extensia® concrete was developed for slabs and industrial floors which are subject to heavy traffic and storage loads. Extensia® offers many advantages:
Turbo-charged construction sitesChronolia®, an added-value concrete New Chronolia® concrete considerably improves working conditions on building sites. Its high mechanical resistance means it hardens within 4 hours compared to 12 hours for normal concrete. That makes a real difference!
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Protecting the environment |
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Lafarge's industrial processes have been designed and refined to minimize their impact on the environment. The use of certain additives (which act as effective substitutes) during concrete production can help to reduce the consumption of nonrenewable natural resources. Furthermore, in 2010, 72% of Concrete & Aggregates sites have installed water recycling systems. |
Carbon assessmentAt the end of 2010, the independent French organization, ADEME (the Environment and Energy Management Agency), published a methodological guide comparing the carbon assessment of various construction systems for equivalent low-energy buildings (LEBs). The study revealed that, contrary to common perception, wood and concrete have the same comparable CO2 rating per m² for an individual LEB! The methodological guide (in French) (P.D.F - 1348 Kb)
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Last update on 04/28/2011
