Lafarge Cement has launched what it says is a ‘high performance, low carbon, CEM II blend cement’.
The firm, which is part of Aggregate Industries, said that while traditional CEM I blends use virgin clinker to produce the finished cement, Lafarge Endure SR blends Portland fly ash (PFA) with clinker, which results in a lower embodied CO2, as well as improved plastic and hardened properties when used in concrete.
It added that another benefit of using the new product over a CEM I blend is its suitability for all ground types and that while sulphates in the ground can negatively impact CEM I blends, Lafarge Endure SR is resistant to sulphates, allowing contractors and suppliers to scope a wider variety of projects including those that may have previously been hindered by ground type.
Steve Curley, commercial director at Aggregate Industries, said: ‘As its name suggests, Lafarge Endure SR is designed to dramatically increase the longevity of the concrete it forms a part of. It is a great solution for contractors that want to reduce the environmental impact of their build while simultaneously improving its life span.
‘In addition to its lower embodied CO2, Lafarge Endure SR uses 10% less water than CEM I to reach workable consistency and offers improve pumpability and mixing efficiency. Each of these benefits adds up to a cement that is truly forward-thinking.’
Lafarge said that once hardened the new product can be used to DC-4 durability standard and can help increase the life of the structure thanks to its resistance to carbonation and chloride and sulphate attack.
This makes it suitable for practically any situation from producing ready-mixed and precast concrete, to marine, grouting and tunnelling applications, the firm said.
