ROAD CONSTRUCTION | TECHNOLOGIES, STANDARDS & SPECIFICATIONS

the official specification document. COTO is still receiving commentary from the industry with the aim of updating and revising the various sections.

How does AfriSam help to lower the carbon footprint?

We’re the leaders in green cement technology and pride ourselves on providing our customers with products that are environmentally friendly.

One of our flagship brands is the Eco Readymix series, which blends high-performance cement with carbon-neutral mineral components to achieve excellent cementitious properties. Remarkably, the carbon footprint of this concrete has been reduced by between 46% and 51% compared to typical industry concrete, depending on the compressive strength. The chief reason for this is its lower clinker content, as well as the reduced use of limestone, which is a non-renewable resource.

Within the Eco Readymix range are Starmix, Foundation Mix and Retainer Mix, each developed to meet a particular construction application. Despite their low carbon footprint, their respective performance is far superior to concrete made from pure cements and AfriSam produces ultra-high-performance Eco Readymix concretes with compressive strengths of above 70 MPa.

What are some of AfriSam’s key research and development (R&D) projects currently?

By investing in the expertise and systems that sustain quality products, AfriSam is well positioned to conduct and coordinate valuable research into the properties of cements, supplementary cementitious materials, aggregates and concrete. These research projects are initiated and rolled out in collaboration with customers, universities and other bodies.

R&D projects currently underway include a long-term assessment of the effects of highly corrosive environments on concretes made with differing proportions and types of raw materials. Results from these tests feed into dedicated computer software, which allows architects and contractors to specify the appropriate grade of concrete to suit their project’s environmental conditions.

Proactive monitoring, while part of AfriSam’s quality control function, also forms an important part of the company’s product development cycle, giving it the scientific and experiential basis to constantly add new innovations to its extensive range of offerings.

How exactly does AfriSam measure durability?

We are the leaders in durability index testing and have a detailed understanding of how constituent materials and site practices (compaction and curing) impact on the durability and performance of concrete. The AfriSam CPE laboratories are set up to perform the durability index testing and this is available as a service to the construction industry on a commercial basis.

What type of technical support can clients expect?

AfriSam has a dedicated focus on product quality and an even stronger focus on the correct and optimum use of our products. We believe in knowledge sharing, which includes technical advice and training. Our commitment is to work closely with our clients to help them develop user-specific solutions.

How can AfriSam help support SMME road contractor development?

AfriSam has been involved for many years in new business development training, providing incubator programmes for people wanting to start small businesses. We also support small contractors through our Technical Department in their use of our products, as well as through our CPE.

SMME contractors learn skills such as calculating their bill of quantities and determining the necessary quality of materials they should be using. There are also financial solutions that we offer to smaller businesses to help them deal with their limited liquidity. In turn, we also expect SMMEs to play their part in terms of this collaboration by bringing their initiative, experience, responsibility and basic expertise to the table. It’s a two-way, evolving partnership.

And in closing?

AfriSam is invested in South Africa and South African construction. Renewed investment in road infrastructure is long overdue; however, we’re starting to see more Sanral

AfriSam operates a readymix pump fleet with some of the longest boom reaches in the country

AfriSam’s technical consultants proactively visit customers on-site to demonstrate the correct use of their product, as well as to identify any cost saving opportunities projects coming online, together with municipal roads projects.

Alongside major upgrades, there’s also a pressing need for widespread road and bridge maintenance; here, AfriSam’s basket of services are a fit-for-purpose solution.