… Abuja Ready-Mix (RMX) plant fully converted to 100% EcoCrete plant
In line with its commitment to decarbonise Nigeria’s construction sector, Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading innovative and sustainable building solutions company and manufacturer of a range of cement brands, has officially launched EcoCrete, Nigeria’s first low-carbon ready-mix concrete. The innovative product was unveiled at the Lafarge’s Abuja Ready-Mix (RMX) plant on Wednesday.
EcoCrete delivers a minimum of 20% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional CEM I concrete, without compromising on strength, durability, or performance.
Speaking at the launch ceremony graced by industry regulators and key stakeholders, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa Plc stated that Lafarge’s Abuja Ready-Mix plant has now been converted to 100% EcoCrete production, making a bold step in the company’s journey toward excellence, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
“Over the last year, we have introduced products like Ecoplanet Elephant and Unicem cement, each one a step forward in our journey toward excellence, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. Today, with the introduction of our low-carbon Readymix solution, EcoCrete, we take another bold step forward.
“As part of the first phase of this ground-breaking rollout, which will enable the availability of the product, we have fully converted the Lafarge Abuja Ready-Mix (RMX) plant to 100% EcoCrete production. This is a demonstration of our commitment to scale sustainable solutions, to push the boundaries of what is possible in construction, and to align our business with the aspirations of our customers, our communities, and our planet. We are proud to be shaping an industry where growth and responsibility go hand in hand,” he stated.
In his keynote address, Special Adviser to the Hon. Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Climate Finance & Green Growth, Temitope Akinyemi, commended Lafarge for leading sustainable innovation in the industry, stressing that the launch of EcoCrete aligns with Nigeria’s green growth strategy. He said: “The launch of this product today is very well aligned to Nigeria’s Green Growth Strategy, which prioritises both our developmental needs and our environmental responsibility. Lafarge Africa has once again demonstrated vision and leadership in pioneering EcoCrete, a next-generation innovation that delivers strength, durability and reliability that we all require, while reducing CO2 emissions.
“Also, this aligns with our global climate commitments, and also Nigeria’s journey towards our next-gen economy. Today, as we launch EcoCrete, we also launch a bold message that Nigeria is ready to lead in sustainable construction, to innovate and to prove that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand.”
Speaking at the launch, Xu Gang, Vice President for International Business, Huaxin, said EcoCrete is a product of global expertise and local ambition, adding that the conversion of Abuja plant signifies Huaxin’s commitment to the Nigerian market. “Today’s milestone is a testament to what can be achieved when global expertise meets local ambition. To build the future, we need to decarbonize the construction industry, promote circular economy principles, and deliver products that meet the highest standards of performance and environmental responsibility.
“At Huaxin, we believe that sustainability must be embedded in every stage of the value chain—from sourcing raw materials to production, distribution, and application. We are proud to see the Abuja Ready-Mix Plant fully converted to 100% EcoCrete production. It demonstrates our confidence in Nigeria’s construction sector and our commitment to supporting its growth in a responsible and resilient manner,” he said.
Also speaking at the launch, Director General/Chief Executive Officer, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof Innocent Bariate Barikor, said the agency looks forward to collaborating with Lafarge on more sustainability initiatives. “NESREA congratulates Lafarge on the historic launch of EcoCrete, a groundbreaking innovation that showcases the company’s commitment to sustainability in construction solutions. This development aligns with our agency’s mandate to maximize natural resources, reduce environmental impacts, and promote resource efficiency.”
“We commend Lafarge’s environmental stewardship and look forward to collaborative efforts that ensure EcoCrete’s safe and sustainable use across the industry. NESREA is excited to partner with Lafarge and other stakeholders to deliver immeasurable environmental and social benefits, supporting Nigeria’s national development goals and decarbonization agenda,” Barikor said.
Head of Aggregates and ReadyMix, Lafarge Africa Plc, Derek Williamson, said EcoCrete is a significant milestone for Lafarge’s sustainability ambitions. “Ecocrete is the culmination of years of tireless research, relentless innovation, and a profound commitment to our planet. With EcoCrete, we have developed a concrete that significantly reduces carbon emissions without compromising on the strength, durability, or quality that our customers expect.
“For us at Lafarge Africa, the launch of this solution enables us to meet our sustainability ambitions. It is also about being smarter, more efficient, and more resilient – offering the same exceptional performance as conventional concrete, but with a much lower impact on our environment,” Williamson said.
