CEMENT

CementChoose the right

for your building requirementsA guide to selecting the right cement

Choose the Right Cement

04 What’s in the Lafarge Name?

06

07

08

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What makes a Good Cement?

Misconceptions about Cement

Simple Steps for Success

The Lafarge Name

Lafarge in South Africa

The Lafarge Group

CONTENTS

he 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:

• respectandnurturingforourdiverseemployeesbyproviding: - equitable employment opportunities - development opportunities to encourage everyone to reach

their full potential

• proactivelytranslatingourconcernfortheenvironmentintoactionplansfor:

- rehabilitating our quarries - reducing ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions through better

technology and innovative fly ash extended products - reducing the dependence of the cement industry on non-

renewable resources

• socialresponsibility: - 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.)

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.

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“The major investment that Project Rainbow represents demonstrates our commitment to helping build a better future for all our people and to being a long-term significant business player in South Africa’s construction materials industry …”

Albert CorcosCEO Lafarge Industries

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!

My regards

Ilsé BoshoffNational Marketing ManagerLafarge Cement

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What makes aGood Cement?

Awordofadvicefromanexperiencedbuilder:

“Save on the cost of your building materials by good control, never by lowering quality – it is a false economy!”

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.

Ourcementsaredesignedtogiveyoumore:• Industrialcontrolstandardsthatensureconsistenthighquality.

• Productperformanceandhandlingpropertiesthatexceedyourexpectations.

Lafargeproductsarebackedbyservice:• AccesstotechnicaladvicefromourQualityDepartment

Southern Africa.

• InnovativegeneralsupportservicethroughourCustomerCareCentre, “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.

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!

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Misconceptionsabout CementMyth: “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.

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Simple Steps for Success

Whether building a dream home or furthering a business, success comes from paying attention to some basic principles:

Solid Foundations

Good Floors

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

For peace of mind, use Buildcrete because you cannot change your mind and redo the foundations once the house has been built!

Someguidelinesonavoidingunsightlycracks,powderypatchesandcolourvariations:• Mixyourmaterialsthoroughlytoachieveaneven

colour

• Addwatercarefully–toomuchmeansweakerconcrete and poor finish

• Forcementandmixproportions,usethesamerecommendations as above for foundations

• Cutjointsintheslabtopreventmovementcausing ugly cracks

• Aqualitycementcontainingflyashwillgiveyourconcrete a better surface finish, while being stronger and more durable

• Usereliablequalitymaterials• Avoidwastagebyusinggood

materials and good control• Planyourworkcarefully

• Beabsolutelyconsistentwithmixingyourconcrete, mortar or plaster: short cuts are the pathway to long term problems

• ThinkSAFETYbeforeyoustartanyjob

• Itpaystoemployaspecialisttocheckthesoilconditionsofthesite

• Prepareanareaformixing.Ifthereisnoconcretesurface,usea sheet of metal to avoid the contamination and water variation problems with mixing on the ground

• Useagoodqualitygeneralpurposecement.(Buildcrete will give a good workable mix for easier handling, placing and finishing. Buildcrete mixes also develop their strength quicker – saving time and money)

• Usinga32,5strengthconcrete,thenormalrecommendedmixproportions for 15MPa concrete are:

CEMENT CONCRETE SAND

1 Wheelbarrow Load(2x 50kg bags)

STONE

3½ Wheelbarrow Loads 3½ Wheelbarrow Loads(if you are hand mixing, it will be more successful using a smaller

13mmstone)

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Qualitymortarandplasterworkareessentialtoachieveanattractivefinishtoyourhome:afinishthatwilladdvalue.Payingattentiontomaterialsandyourmixwillhelptheworkprogressfasterandgiveadurabletop-classfinish:

Importance of Mortar and Plaster

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CONCRETE SAND

PLASTER SAND

1 Wheelbarrow Load(2x 50kg bags)

1 Wheelbarrow Load(2x 50kg bags)

1½ Wheelbarrow Loads

6 Wheelbarrow Loads

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.

• Createsaworkablemixforeasierplacingandfinishing

• Needslesswaterwhichhelpsreducesurfacecracking

• Givesabetteroff-shutterfinish

• Thegeneralmixguidelineforawatertightconcreteis:

Make quality plastering a pleasure with a workable Buildcrete mix

• Therightqualitycementandcleangradeofsand will be easier to mix and produces an ideal workable, ‘buttery’ mix

• Remembertodampenclaybricksbeforeplastering – they are highly absorbent and will ‘steal’ the moisture from the mix (but do not wet cement stock bricks)

• Usingan‘R’earlystrengthclasscementwillgivestable brick and block courses sooner, allowing the work to progress faster

• Usinga32,5Rstrengthgeneralpurposecement, the normal mix for bricklaying mortar and domestic plastering is:

Leakproof Ponds and PoolsBuilditrightfirsttimeisthebestadviceanyonecangive!Useaqualityflyashcementtomakedurable,impermeable(stopswaterleakingthroughit)concrete.Cementthathelpsyouachieveasuccessfulproject.ThewisechoiceisBuildcretewhich:

Buildcrete is the user-friendly solution to successful concrete work

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The Lafarge Name

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:

• Avisiontobetheundisputedleaderinbuildingmaterials

• Acommitmenttoberankedamongtheworld’s most effective industrial organisations in terms of the health and safety of our employees, protection of the environment, social responsibility and corporate governance

• Unequalledtechnicalresourcesthatdevelopinnovative, 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”)

The business of Lafarge meets the basic human need for building materials.

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WhataLafargeBagofCementMeansforYou:

- 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

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Lafarge in South AfricaLafarge Cement

Lafarge Cement is one of the major cement producers in Southern Africa. We have:

• A2,4milliontonperannumcementfacilityatLichtenburg in the North West Province

• Oneofthelargestandmosttechnicallyadvanced cement works in the country

• R1,2billioninvestedinaonemilliontoncement capacity increase project (“Project Rainbow”), due to come on stream in early 2009

QualityAssurance

Our Lichtenburg Cement Works is SABS/ISO 9001-2000 listed and its cement products:

• ComplywiththelatestENstandards

• CarrytheSABSmarkofqualityonthepackaging (which in terms of the latest legislation is being is being replaced with a Letter of Authority number signifying government authorised approval of quality.)

• DisplaytheSABSe-mark,whichcertifiesthatthe 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.)

TechnicalResources:

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&SafetyisourNo.1priority

• OurHIV/AIDSpreventionandcareprogrammeis used as a model in other developing countries

• Ourtrainingcentreandsponsorshipschemeshelp develop our own employees to their full potential and also offer advancement opportunities for persons from local disadvantaged communities

EnvironmentalResponsibility

For many years, Lafarge has led the industry in aprogramme 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:

• TheSouthAfricanCementBusinessUnithas won a Group annual award for the Highest Reduction in CO2 emissions. A major contribution to this achievement was the development of our innovative fly ash extended cements

• LafargeCementistheonlycompanyinSouthAfrica with a full range of extended products based on fly ash

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Formoreinformationvisitthewebsiteat

www.lafarge.co.za

Sustainabilityinvolvessocialresponsibility

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:

• HabitatforHumanity: 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

Flyashandtheenvironment:

Flyashisanenvironmentally-friendlyproduct.Lafarge Cement’s increasing use of fly ash as a component of building materials is making a significant contribution to sustainable development by:

• Reducingtheuseofnon-renewableresources such as limestone and coal

• Reducingcarbondioxideemissionsfromcement plants

• Recyclingawaste-productofcoalburning power stations which cuts back on the landfill sites

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The Lafarge GroupLafarge is the world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positionsinallofitsbusinesses:Cement,Aggregates&ConcreteandGypsum. The Group’s 90 000 employees in 76 countries, generated sales in 2007 of Euros 17,6 billion (over R210 billion).

The Group is:• Customerfocused• Concernedforpeople’swell-being• Concernedforthefuture

Concernfortheenvironment

Lafarge combines its skills and technical resources with the expertise of others for greater effectiveness in the environmental control field:

• Lafargewasthefirstindustrialgrouptoenter into a worldwide partnership with the environmentalprotectionorganization,WWF(WorldWideFundforNature).

• LafargeisafoundingmemberofCSI(CementSustainability Initiative) which actively promotes responsible management and the worldwide reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by the industry.

• Lafargeisco-chairofthe“EnergyEfficiencyinBuildings” Project, which works towards the objective of zero net energy use in buildings.

Lafarge is the only company in the construction materials sector to be listed in the 2008 ‘100 Global Most Sustainable Corporations in the World’

Leadingthewaywithtechnology

The Group technical resources include:

• employingover500peoplethroughouttheworldin research and development on materials of construction

• operatingtheworld’slargestbuildingmaterialsresearch laboratory

• exchangingtechnicalknowledgebetweenLafarge’s 150 cement and clinker facilities around the world

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Formoreinformationvisitthewebsiteat

www.lafarge.com

For you, the customer, the most important benefit of a good name brand is:

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!

CONFIDENCEForhelpwithcementqueries,phone:

Toll-Free: 0800 110 104, orCallCentre: 011 257 3085

LafargeIndustriesSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd,HeadOfficeWoodmead, Sandton, GautengTel: 011 257 3100CallCentre: 011 257 3085

Lafarge IndustriesSouthAfrica(Pty)LtdBuildings 3&4 Country Club Estate, 21 Woodlands Drive, Woodmead, 2191

Tel: (011) 257 3100Fax: (011) 257 3052

www.lafarge.comwww.lafargecement.co.za

November 2008