Lafarge Africa has expanded its ECOPlanet range with ECOPlanet Elephant, a low-carbon cement reducing CO2 emissions by 30%. The product combines sustainability with the durability of Elephant cement, backed by BREEAM, LEED, and EDGE certifications to support greener construction across Africa.
Lafarge Africa’s ECOPlanet Elephant launch builds on the company’s earlier introduction of ECOPlanet Unicem in 2024, further expanding its portfolio of environmentally friendly building materials. The ECOPlanet Elephant cement achieves a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional cement, aligning with the company’s vision to produce innovative, eco-efficient solutions without compromising on quality or performance.
The Group Managing Director and CEO of Lafarge Africa, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, described the introduction of ECOPlanet Elephant as a “game changer” pivotal for enabling green growth and sustainable urban development across Africa. He emphasised that the positive market reception to ECOPlanet Unicem highlighted a clear demand for low-carbon building products. The new ECOPlanet Elephant cement is designed to meet this demand by combining sustainability with the durability and workability traditionally associated with Elephant cement, a popular choice among builders and developers. He said:“At Lafarge Africa, our vision has always been to lead the building solutions industry in innovation and sustainability. The launch of ECOPlanet Unicem is not just about introducing a new product; it’s about redefining the way we think about construction and its impact on our environment.”
Gbenga Onimowo, Commercial Director at Lafarge Africa, underlined that the new product maintains the superior strength and usability that Elephant cement is known for, facilitating a smooth transition to more sustainable construction methods. He expressed enthusiasm about the potential positive impact of ECOPlanet Elephant on the construction industry, noting its applicability in various multipurpose construction uses such as plastering, concreting, and block-making on-site. Additionally, the product is backed by recognised sustainability certifications including BREEAM, LEED, and EDGE, which validate its environmental credentials for green building projects.
This product expansion is part of Lafarge Africa’s broader strategy to address environmental challenges in the built environment and contribute to decarbonizing the construction industry in pursuit of a net-zero future. The company has demonstrated a continued focus on innovation, previously seen in its strong financial performance and product developments like Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC), which aids in creating more sustainable concrete mixes.
By broadening its low-carbon cement offerings, Lafarge Africa aims to empower customers, architects, and policymakers to make environmentally conscious choices without sacrificing the quality and effectiveness essential to building robust infrastructure. The ECOPlanet Elephant cement represents a tangible step towards greener construction practices across the continent, highlighting Lafarge Africa’s role as a leader in sustainable building solutions.
