Lafarge

In France, Lafarge aims to increase the amount of cement and aggregates that it transports by inland waterways from 4Mt currently to 5Mt by 2015 although this mainly concerns the rivers Seine and Rhône and connected waterways. Lafarge last week signed an agreement with the waterways authorities relating to those two river systems and which envisages investment in 24 projects. Movement of heavy building materials by water, wherever possible, is the cheapest and most environmentally-friendly means available. Ready-mixed concrete plants in the Paris area already receive some 70% of their requirements of cement and aggregates by barge.

Overseas, Lafarge is applying for permission to build a second Indonesian cement works. A 1.5Mta integrated works is being planned on South Sumatra and that application is currently going through the planning procedure, with an expected completion date in 2015.