By ensuring that a high quality of cement is used in infrastructure, South Africa is investing for a stronger future, according to AfriSam sales and marketing executive Richard Tomes.

The company offers a range of cements developed for specific applications, such as its All Purpose Cement that can be used for a number of purposes in the housing sector.

“Contractors and home owners want to rely on a cement that will last, so that problems like cracks in walls do not occur,” says Tomes. “At the same time, there may not be a high level of expertise among some users in this market, exposing them to a potential risk if they choose the wrong cement for the task.”

Mixing concrete with a cement that has been developed only for plastering, for instance, could compromise the integrity of the structure. To avoid this risk, the company asserts that its All Purpose Cement meets a high specification that allows it to be used for any home-building application.

“Road building is another application where quality cement brings many benefits that end-users seldom even see or think about,” he adds. “AfriSam’s Roadstab is a specialised cement that allows contractors to create a strong foundation for longer road life, while also giving them delayed setting time to conduct the necessary mixing and compaction.”

Large structures also require a cement which will reduce the heat differential between the inside and outside of a large concrete mass so that cracking does not occur. Special cements to fit this requirement have been used to build structures like dams and wind farms.

Tomes highlights that AfriSam has reduced its carbon emissions to well below the international average for cement producers and that it has also contributed to water savings by developing cements that consume less water when mixed to produce concrete.