SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION 6challenges Lafarge’s solutions INNOVATION REVIEW

ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

IMPLEMENTATION

SERVICES

ENERGY COST

ADAPTING TO SPECIFIC NEEDS

COMFORT AND AESTHETICS CONTENTS

03 LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION

04 RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS

05 COLLABORATION WITH ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERING OFFICES AND PROJECT OWNERS © Stéphane de Bourgies

BRUNO LAFONT 6 DECISIVE CHALLENGES Chairman and CEO of Lafarge 06 1. PRODUCTS’ ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT Innovative products promoting sustainable construction

10 2. IMPLEMENTATION Faster, simpler, pollution-free solutions

16 3. SERVICES A multilocal strategy for value-added services

17 4. ENERGY COST Less energy-hungry buildings he world’s population is increasing every year and, according to UN forecasts, we will probably © Ignus Gerber / Médiathèque Lafarge 20 5. ADAPTING TO SPECIFIC NEEDS pass the nine billion mark a little before 2050. To welcome these new arrivals and respond to every- Heat resistance test at the Chilanga II Different approaches for different countries one’s needs for accommodation and infrastructure, we must build, but build differently. For the cement plant, Zambia. to ensure optimal solutions t past few years, we have been incorporating the challenges of saving resources, limiting pollution 22 6. COMFORT AND AESTHETICS and ease of application into our industrial procedures. Similarly, we devote more than half of our Beautiful constructions, more comfortable for longer research and development investments to sustainable construction. We are working in several key Innovation has always been central to Lafarge. As new challenges have emerged areas: reducing the environmental footprint of our products and the structures built out of them; saving energy at every stage in the lifecycle in order to reduce costs. This is why our latest gen- The scale of resources deployed eration of products include a significant environmental dimension and there is still considerable progress ahead in improving their properties. We are also making progress in this direction in relation to global warming and dwindling fossil fuels, this policy of permanent by the Group in this area reflects the urgency As a result of our investments in innovation, innovation is now being used to tackle the challenges of sustainable construction. we can offer products and solutions which will help us of the situation. to tackle the challenges of sustainable construction.

© Charlotte Cauwer through the numerous partnerships we have forged in the fields of research and architecture. We also work with institutions to develop regulations and standards. Sustainable construction is an ambitious challenge to which we are fully committed and I am convinced that our environmental CENTER PAGES approach and the quality of our products will enable us to tackle it successfully. LOW-ENERGY HOUSING 20 GOLDEN RULES for sustainable construction “Everybody needs to be involved. Experience has taught us that a lot of our progress comes from small innovations driven by a single employee or team, either in our plants or in collaboration with customers. Each of our 80,000 employees around > The Pont du Diable footbridge, in the gorges the world is a potential inventor – that’s our strength.” ® of the Hérault department in France – built out of Ductal At a time when environmental issues are increasingly urgent, this ability to innovate and designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti and civil engineer BRUNO LAFONT has become intently focused on sustainable construction. Lafarge is now devoting Romain Ricciotti. An innovation strategy more than 50% of its R&D resources to this field. “Innovating means always being one step ahead,” says Jean Desazars de Montgailhard, Lafarge Executive Vice President to promote sustainable of Strategy, Development and Public Affairs. “Ahead of our competitors, of market expectations and of our time… To achieve this we must understand customer needs construction and even anticipate ones they haven’t yet fully identified or are unaware of. Whether these regard climate change, preserving resources, protecting biodiversity, safety, appearance, comfort, lifecycle or the versatility of buildings. We take into account all Innovation is a key part of Lafarge’s identity, as the Group’s history demon- these aspects which contribute to the vast field which we now call sustainable strates. Much water has flowed under the bridge since 1887, when its cement construction and to provide solutions for them.” research laboratory opened in Teil, France. This desire to gain a better under- What does constructing sustainably mean for Lafarge? “It means reducing a standing of how materials behave, to analyze their physical and chemical proper- building’s environmental impact as much as possible while preserving the comfort ties and transform this knowledge into technical progress has remained one of the of inhabitants,” explains Pascal Casanova, Group Director of R&D. “So our approach company’s trademarks. This perpetual desire to innovate has continued up to the is not restricted to the environmental footprint left by our products, although that is present day, as illustrated by the astonishing advances throughout the history of an important area of our research. It covers a building’s entire lifecycle, from extrac- construction, from carving out the Suez Canal to erecting the Millau Viaduct. tion and production of the materials required to build it to its demolition and recycling The beginning of the 1990’s was a turning point in the Group’s approach to R&D. and including, of course, how it will be used in the meantime.” This very wide By setting up the Lafarge Research Center (LCR) in L’Isle-d’Abeau, France, – the concept includes a range of criteria which go far beyond Lafarge’s primary business: first laboratory in the world to specialize in building materials – it set itself a new use of “low carbon” or recyclable building materials, incorporation of renewable objective: to become the world leader in its sector by offering customers the very energy sources at the design stage, reduction of site noise and air pollution for best products and services available. The center contains equipment and resources workers and local residents, consideration of the appearance, resistance and dedicated to fundamental and applied research – more than 200 researchers durability of the building, improvements to insulation and use of thermal inertia, from various disciplines, physicists, chemists, mechanics, designers, etc. At the control of the structure’s weathering, recycling of materials after demolition… By same time, Lafarge’s technical centers and laboratories all around the world are extension, building sustainably also includes aspects related to the company’s developing and producing value-added technical solutions for customers. “In a social and environmental responsibility, such as health and safety, community Group like ours, innovation cannot only be driven by a few hundred researchers and relations where it conducts its business, consideration for the accommodation technicians,” says Denis Berthon, Marketing Director of the Cement Business. needs of the most disadvantaged sections of society and biodiversity preservation. © Alain Tendero / Médiathèque Lafarge - Rudy Ricciotti (architecte) Romain (ingénieur) © Alain Tendero 02 | LAFARGE | INNOVATION REVIEW INNOVATION REVIEW | LAFARGE | 03 Scientific progress is built on sharing and communication, whatever the field. For innovative and more sustainable products and construction methods to be adopted, This productive dialogue has already Three professions Lafarge has worked closely Materials engineering is no exception. This is why Lafarge has increased its they first need to be known about, recognized and accepted by the construction led to remarkable progress in the field with for a number of years. partnerships and is working with the leading research centers around the world as industry. The leaders in this are architects, engineering offices and project owners. of sustainable construction. well as the most prestigious international schools, institutions and universities.

PAUL ACKER Scientific Director of the Lafarge Research Center (LCR) “Research into the infinitely Understanding concrete’s granular small makes travel into the heart mass has led to reductions of matter possible and allows in its water content and therefore understanding of the complex made it extremely resistant to external alchemy that governs the relationship forces (climate, pollution, acid rain, between the pores, filaments and etc.). The result is greater density and grains of the ‘grey matter’ known enhanced mechanical performance “as concrete. Thanks to new for an even more durable material.” © Laurence Prat / Médiathèque Lafarge technologies, the exploration of matter on a nanometric scale has brought to light the numerous mechanical

properties of concrete, as well © Marc Mimram Architecte as the way these change over time. WORKING WITH ARCHITECTS TO DESIGN TOMORROW’S CITIES Collaborating with architects broadens Marc Mimram’s project for inhabited bridges, Once used simply as a means of crossing mindsets and enlivens debate which seeks to restore meaning to urban from one side of town to another, on the new objectives for town planning infrastructures. Bridges play a corrective or they are now inhabited, endowed that will help shape our future environment complementary role in the “crafting” of a city, with the ability to heal, to close the gaps and cities. Take, for example, encouraging a meeting of river banks. dividing urban spaces.

to uncover, monitor and support future architectural talents. The Group also supports A dynamic relationship and coordinates competitions for young architects. It is a partner in the competi- tion reserved for students of European architecture schools initiated by the Ion with architects, engineering Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism in Bucharest. It also organizes competitions open to students from architecture schools in South Africa, Spain, offices and project owners India, China and Serbia. While architects are fantastic specifiers of its products, the Group also involves project owners and engineering offices in this approach, since they are equally key Denis Berthon, Marketing Director of the Cement Business. “And the perspectives Who challenges whom? This is not an easy question when you look at the relation- players in the construction industry. It regularly organizes meetings between archi- opened up by the research we are conducting at the moment should enable us to ship between Lafarge and architects. Architects have always pushed industrial tects, project owners and engineering offices on innovation, providing them with an stay one step ahead.” companies to their limits by asking them to provide technical solutions to achieve opportunity to learn about the L’Isle-d’Abeau research center and familiarize The scope of these partnerships is extremely diverse. “We are exploring very hi-tech their most daring projects. But at the same time, the innovations offered by the themselves with new technologies, new building systems and new products. new experimental methods with MIT to observe the behavior of materials at a Group have stimulated their imagination and opened up previously inconceivable Lafarge therefore takes part in national and international events. At the last MIPIM, nanometric scale,” explains Pascal Casanova, Lafarge Director of R&D. “We are possibilities. “For more than 15 years, the Group has been building – no pun the major annual real-estate development fair held in Cannes, it presented projects working with our colleagues in Princeton on porous networks which can form in the intended – an extremely constructive dialogue with the architecture profession,” by Jacques Ferrier and Marc Mimram. “The most impressed were the project center of our materials. We are attempting to understand and model the microstruc- confirms Léopold Lombard, Lafarge Director of Architect Relations. “All of our new owners, especially local authority managers,” says Léopold Lombard. “The great Receptive partnerships ture as part of Nanocem, which will allow us to make technical and technological products and innovations would not have been possible without the creative require- thing about Hypergreen and the Living Bridges is that they combine several very breakthroughs, whether in relation to very low carbon cements or non-cracking ments of architects, their support and capacity to implement them.” futuristic innovations, which can be used separately in less ambitious projects.” to promote concrete.” This last example reveals the key role which Lafarge is playing in helping This collaboration often arises out of actual projects undertaken with well-known More recently the Group began developing new partnerships with architecture its industry to move forward. It was the Group’s initiative to set up this European architects. Recent constructions using Ductal® – the Footbridge of Peace in Seoul firms, engineering offices and construction companies focusing on concrete, a key materials engineering network of scientific excellence, involving around 20 industrial partners and numerous and the Villa Navarra, both designed by Rudy Ricciotti, the RATP bus depot in material in sustainable construction. “These are very specific projects which require leading European universities. Its objective is, first, to develop knowledge relating Thiais, produced by Marrec and Combarel, and the Mars Hill Bridge, built in Iowa our knowledge of materials and construction methods,” continues Christophe Splendid isolation rarely benefits scientists. Lafarge quickly realized that its to the microstructure of materials and, second, to improve the academic training of (USA) in collaboration with the MIT and the FHWA – required months of prepara- Lévy, Lafarge Construction Innovation Director. “Their purpose is to show that resources would not be enough on their own to explore the vast field of materials researchers who will one day work in the cement industry. tion and just as in-depth discussions throughout the construction phase. Lafarge concrete allows you to construct buildings which are much more environmentally- and engineering. The Group therefore decided to share its knowledge and draw on all Along similar lines, in 2006 Lafarge teamed up with the École Polytechnique and the supports research into avant-garde concepts which push back the boundaries of people-friendly, whatever the country, climate or type of construction.” These partner- the expertise available in this field. École des Ponts et Chaussées to create a Research Chair in the science of sustain- sustainable construction, such as the Hypergreen Tower by Jacques Ferrier or ships also provide Lafarge with a better understanding of how an architect or a In a few years it formed partnerships with research centers, top schools, academic able construction materials. This is a very specialized international Master’s degree Marc Mimram’s Living Bridges. These are interesting in that they encourage consid- design engineer decides on a material and uses it, thereby opening up new areas institutes and other companies around the world. In France, it has a long history of course, targeting students as well as engineers and researchers. It offers a teaching eration of architectural or urban solutions with a lower environmental footprint. for research. working with the École Polytechnique, the École des Ponts et Chaussées, the Paris and research program unique in the world, with an interdisciplinary approach to “These partnerships come about at a very early stage and their objective is not to These partnerships, which are now in their early stages, will focus on discussion and VI University and several CNRS laboratories. In the United States, it works with the the engineering of concrete-based materials. It is unusual in that it combines scien- set the project in stone but to study in detail how our products and solutions can experience sharing, training in Lafarge products and their innovation potential, prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Georgia Tech and the tific research and industrial experience in the fields of physics, mechanics and meet current and future challenges,” continues Léopold Lombard. “But these descriptions of existing buildings with excellent energy efficiency, deciphering of Universities of Berkeley and Princeton. Elsewhere in the world, it has formed links chemistry. Lafarge takes the more pragmatic approach of a company with a wealth prestigious collaborations should not eclipse the in-depth work being achieved with unusual construction methods which are environmentally friendly and use concrete, etc. with Imperial College, London (UK), the École Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne of experience accumulated in its various markets around the world. As part of the same the whole of the architecture profession, including architecture schools, to promote “Lafarge research teams are involved in projects chosen with our partners – gener- (Switzerland), the Universities of Toronto, Sherbrooke and Laval (Canada), the Beijing collaborative philosophy, its researchers publish the results of their research, either our solutions.” And Lafarge is increasing the number of its partnerships with these ally exceptional but replicable – from the design stage, so that they can suggest Academy of Building Materials (China) and the Roorke Institute of Technology (India). alone or jointly, in scientific journals. Finally, the Group regularly takes part in inter- schools, including Columbia University in New York and Tongji University in innovative construction methods which involve concrete,” adds Christophe Lévy. “Many of the Group’s recent innovations – whether high value-added concretes, national events, trade shows, conferences, seminars and exhibitions on sustainable Shanghai, with the hope of developing new talents and training them in using its Several of these partnerships have now been launched, for instance with Parisian low-carbon cements, solutions that help improve insulation such as thermal switches construction materials (MIPIM in Cannes, Solid States conference in New York, most innovative products. The Group is also one of the main partners of Nouveaux architecture firms Arte Charpentier and A&S International Design, one of the leading in Ductal® or even Thermedia® 0.6 – owe a great deal to these collaborations,” says Shanghai Architecture Symposium, Green Buildings Asia Lecture Series…). Albums de la Jeune Architecture (NAJA), organized by the French culture ministry architecture and engineering firms in China, as well as with the Bouygues group.

04 | LAFARGE | INNOVATION REVIEW INNOVATION REVIEW | LAFARGE | 05 Products’ environmental footprint Producing more and better while using less. For several years now, Lafarge has been working on numerous programs to reduce its activities’ environmental footprint. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy, careful use of raw materials, optimized management of water resources, etc… The Group is exploring 1. every possible way of innovating and supplying materials to encourage more sustainable construction.

Innovative products promoting sustainable construction © Ignus Gerber / Médiathèque Lafarge > Family home made from Agilia®, Vancouver, Canada.

SOLUTION DUCTAL® transformation at high temperatures – “decarbonation” promising possibilities with low-carbon cement,” DUCTAL®, AN ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE FIBER- times more in terms of bending – and ductility, which to corrosion, abrasion and impacts, giving it of the limestone – which produces nearly 60% of explains Paul Acker, Scientific Director of the Lafarge REINFORCED CONCRETE, is part of the new gives it exceptional capacities for stretching, a lifespan two to three times longer than traditional emissions during the production stage. The remaining Research Center. “First, by working on the clinker compo- generation of high value-added concretes from extending, bowing and twisting. These characteristics concrete. Finally, it offers great freedom to architects 40% are a byproduct of the energy, mainly from fossil nent itself and second, by using additives produced by Lafarge and boasts exceptional performances. It has enable the same construction quality to be obtained when designing their most ambitious projects. fuels, required to raise the cement plant kilns’ flame to industrial ecology. We are also exploring other possibil- higher resistance than traditional concrete – six to using less raw materials. Ductal® is also very fluid, > Glenmore Legsby footbridge, built out of Ductal®, the desired temperature, around 2000°C, to heat the ities, for instance reducing the quantity of clinker used eight times more in terms of compression and ten making it very easy to pour. It is also very resistant Calgary, Alberta, Canada. material to 1450°C. “Manufacturing cement generates to manufacture our products through a combination of

CO2, but so do all building materials – steel, aluminum, different granular categories. Our researchers use bricks and even wood – and all manufactured extremely powerful mathematical models to experiment products,” says François Redron, Concrete Business with the size of grains and the chemical interactions Marketing Director. “Did you realize, for instance, that which occur when materials are mixed.”

he entire cement industry generates around 5% of the producing a liter of orange juice gives off 1kg of CO2, To reduce the quantity of fossil fuels burned in its

world’s CO2 emissions. There are two reasons for this compared with 100g-200g of emissions to produce 1kg furnaces, the Group has launched a very ambitious relatively large proportion of greenhouse gases. The first, of concrete?” The volume of concrete and cement used program to replace them with alternative fuels, mainly t and by far the most significant, is that cement is a product in the world is due to double again by 2050. Can the which is very good value for money, has multiple uses, planet support this? Not necessarily. Nearly 10 years continued p.09

exceptional resistance and is, as a result, massively used. ago, Lafarge committed to reducing its global CO2 “The world consumes two billion tons of cement a year,” emissions by 20% per ton of cement produced between says Denis Berthon, Cement Business Marketing 1990 and 2010. That is four times more than the target Director. “Without it, it would be impossible to meet the which industrial countries set themselves under the Working on clinker itself planet’s enormous needs for homes and infrastructure, Kyoto Protocol (see inset page 9). To achieve this, it and using additives especially in developing countries. It is, to some extent, replaced some of the clinker used with industrial produced by industrial a victim of its own success.” The second reason relates residues – fly ash from thermal power stations or slag to the method used to produce the basic component from blast furnaces – and saved energy by optimizing its ecology of cement, clinker. This requires a physicochemical production process. “We are working on other very

SOLUTION LOW-CARBON CEMENT

LAFARGE HAS FOR YEARS worked to reducing CO2 emissions. to reduce its CO2 emissions But replacement of increasingly by using three factors: improving large proportions of this clinker

© DR the energy efficiency of its kilns, the with naturally sourced or industrial use of biomass and waste cement additions has spawned as alternative fuels in cement a generation of low-carbon cements. plants, and the recovery of These products are in line production residues from other with sustainable construction industries as additions to cement principles and the Group or substitute raw materials. constantly seeks to reduce its The reduction in the quantity of environmental footprint. energy from fossil fuels required to > Left, low-carbon cement seen

© Vic Tucker / Médiathèque Lafarge - Cohos-Evamy (architectes)- Ville de Calgary © Vic Tucker produce clinker already contributes under the microscope.

06 | LAFARGE | INNOVATION REVIEW INNOVATION REVIEW | LAFARGE | 07 industrial, household or plant waste. At the end of 2008, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS ON TRACK THE CEMENT INDUSTRY – A RESPONSIBLE PLAYER: the substitution rate was around 10.5%. The Group Average CO2 emissions per ton of cement of In 2001, Lafarge committed to an ambitious emissions reduction program. To help achieve this, it signed plans to increase it to nearly 30% by 2012, which will Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) members, a pioneering partnership with WWF (World Wide Fund) to reduce its absolute gross emissions* by 10% in produce the equivalent savings of 3.5 million tons of oil who represent approx. 30% of global production. industrialized countries and its net emissions* by 20% per ton of cement produced around the world. per year and therefore contribute to reducing green- These commitments go far beyond the objectives set by the Kyoto Protocol, which calls for industrialized 800 house gas emissions. The Group’s Industrial Ecology countries to reduce their emission levels by 5.2% compared with 1990 levels. One year away from the department has become a completely separate opera- deadline, Lafarge is well on track to meeting its obligation. 750 tional organization responsible for developing and It has met its objective two years ahead of schedule for industrialized countries and had already reduced its global CO emissions by 18.4% per ton of cement between 1990 and the end of 2008. And it has not ensuring procurement of alternative fuels for cement 2 752 700 plant kilns. In the United Kingdom, it has acquired a finished yet. The Group is now working with its WWF partners on new objectives beyond 2010. company specializing in the collection of used tires. 715 * Gross/net emissions: net emissions are equivalent to gross emissions minus emissions from burning waste. 650

Its kilns in the Philippines operate on 30% rice husks. 675 The same is true in Uganda with coffee husks. Due to 661 600 a new generation of more powerful kilns, cement plants

recently opened by the Group, in Germany for example, Indonesia have already reached 100%, the United Quarries are now synonymous with sustainable manage- 550 are designed to operate on 100% alternative fuels: wood, States will have by the end of the year, and Germany ment and site rehabilitation. And the Group has again © Augusto Da Silva paper, plastics and other waste. and Poland are close behind.” opted for an innovative approach in relation to extraction, 500 Synergy of expertise in order to select, operate and rehabilitate its approxi- ALAIN VASSAL, SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR, Concrete – a sustainable material Better recycling through grading mately 800 quarries around the world, while respecting 450 BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION The Concrete Business is undoubtedly the one in which Lafarge is the only building materials company in the sustainable development criteria. Since 2001, it has innovation has been the most spectacular. Many world to carry out aggregates research. Its aim is to been working with WWF – as part of a wider partner- 400 The partnership between Bouygues More recently, we have launched a new Construction and Lafarge regarding joint project to develop “low-carbon” products launched by Lafarge in the last decade have optimize available natural resources, a massive amount ship – in order to identify biodiversity risks, limit distur- concrete began with the development concretes. The reduction of greenhouse gas been revolutionary: concretes which are self-leveling, of which are consumed and which are becoming bance to local residents and, above all, to rehabilitate of Ductal® ultra-high performance concrete. emissions in construction involves reducing self-placing, high performance, decorative, fast-setting, scarcer. To achieve this, R&D teams are exploring two the majority of its quarries at the end of their lifecycle. 1990 2000 2005 2006 The major challenge of sustainable energy needs, both in terms extensive, etc. “Ninety per cent of concrete’s environ- avenues of research. The first looks to improve industrial Its objective is to provide 85% of them with a rehabili-

construction is the energy efficiency of manufacturing products, including © Médiathèque Lafarge mental footprint comes from its ingredients,” empha- procedures in order to avoid waste. For example, Lafarge tation plan by the end of 2010 – including quarries > Source : WBCSD CSI GNR report of buildings, which involves efficient concrete, as well as the building’s comfort sizes François Redron, Marketing Director of the is working on producing aggregates from concrete which, for various reasons, cannot be rehabilitated. As insulation and, for us, the reduction of and functioning. The carbon tax also TM “thermal bridges between slabs and external addresses this question. Bouygues SOLUTION DURACLIME ASPHALT Concrete Business. “As a result of advances in our R&D, recycled from demolitions by crushing it, or from recov- a demonstration of Lafarge’s strong commitment in this concrete façades. Bouygues Construction Construction and Lafarge are taking we are now capable of infinitely varying our products’ ered cement not consumed in plants. area, the level had already reached nearly 80% by the DURACLIMETM IS AN ASPHALT created and developed by Lafarge in North America. The benefit has drawn up specifications to address this, innovative approaches to promoting formulation by adjusting materials, admixtures and The Group also plans to develop its value-added end of 2008. is that it can be produced and used at lower temperatures than traditional asphalt. The result which Lafarge has responded to by sustainable construction. Customer-supplier additives used in their composition, above all to reduce products such as DuraclimeTM, an asphalt poured at developing the formulations and properties partnerships give everyone a head- is less energy consumed to heat the product during mixing and application stages and thus of the “Ductal® thermal bridge breaker” start – a thorough knowledge of needs a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The procedure also avoids the emission of foul-smelling the carbon footprint, but also to precisely adapt its 7°C less than traditional asphalt, which reduces energy ® system and Thermedia 0.6 insulating on the one hand and definite answers fumes, an advantage for workers and local residents. Finally, its viscosity allows a higher characteristics to the use for which it is intended.” needs and CO2 emissions. The second area of research concrete for load-bearing façades, used on the other – and so allows us to stand proportion of recycled aggregates to be added and makes the roads and sidewalks produced using Research conducted by Lafarge in the field of granular is making use of almost all materials extracted from on sites run by Bouygues Construction. out from the competition.” it exceptionally hard-wearing. piles is offering new and very promising possibilities for quarries without any waste, due to advances in grading. producing increasingly durable concretes. The principle “For example, we frequently come across sand polluted Replacing some of the is to replace some of the water used in the composition by organic matter and clay unsuitable for concrete water used in the of the concrete with fine and ultrafine grains which will production,” explains Lilia Jolibois, the Group’s Aggre- composition of concrete settle between the larger grains – because water not gates and Asphalt Marketing Director. “We have recently consumed during setting is what creates porosity, identified and developed a molecule which will enable us with ultrafine grains. resulting in cracks and lack of resistance in the material. to use this sand which was previously totally unusable.” The result is a more compact, more resistant and more durable concrete, which requires less water and, above all, less clinker. “When Lafarge opens a cement plant in China,” says Paul Acker, “to replace Chinese cement plants built a long time ago but producing the same

amount of concrete, CO2 emissions are halved, thanks to the cement’s regularity that allows less of it to be used UNEARTHING THE SECRETS OF GYPSUM in concrete, while ensuring the same level of structural soundness.” Denis Berthon continues: “If we want to Teams from the Gypsum Technical Center move towards more sustainable construction methods, in Avignon closely investigated a phenomenon concrete is a must. The progress achieved over the last specific to this material – coalescence. The core of plasterboard is obtained by hardening 10 years is demonstrated by analysis of the lifecycle of a liquid paste, mainly comprising gypsum, our materials, which have excellent results. We hope to water, admixtures and foam. When this foam continue this work with our partners to improve their is mixed with gypsum paste, air bubbles

© DR intrinsic qualities – durability, water resistance and may gather, creating a more uneven core thermal inertia for instance – and, above all, promote and deterioration in its technical properties. Optimized formulation for concretes them to our customers.” This is called coalescence. By experimenting NICOLAS ROUSSEL, RESEARCHER AT THE PONTS ET CHAUSSÉES with sophisticated procedures to control CENTRAL LABORATORY Gypsum requiring less water the emulsion stage, Lafarge’s researchers have It is now possible to imagine materials in their raw state. The modeling Lafarge has dedicated significant resources in the succeeded in controlling the size, spacing increasingly fluid concretes of the of rheological behavior that we are Gypsum Business to reducing the quantity of raw and evenness of the bubbles’ distribution. future, making it possible to reduce the developing together, based on the materials used, reducing our energy consumption and The result is plasterboard with improved properties which consumes less water, energy energy costs and noise pollution while they microscopic physical properties of these above all optimizing use of a precious resource – water. are being laid. It is also possible to anticipate materials, obviously makes it possible and raw materials. some changes in the materials used in the to prevent any pouring accidents on site, “It is one of our major challenges in reducing our composition of these future concretes, but above all paves the way for © DR products’ environmental footprint,” confirms Bernard such as an increase in crushed quarry sand the sustainable, optimized formulation Fauconnier, Director of R&D, Sales, Marketing & “or greater use of added ore. Based on of future concretes.” ® Innovation for the Gypsum Business. “Our research SOLUTION PLURA PLASTERBOARD existing data, it is possible to formulate aims to reduce the quantity of water we use and there- materials with specific mechanical ALL FORMATS, a wide choice of thicknesses and applications, a varied range of properties… Plasterboard performance or durability. In order to fore reduce our energy consumption during the plaster- recommend, assess and standardize these now meets the most diverse technical and aesthetic requirements. Painted or tiled, interior or exterior – the board drying stage.” Lafarge is working on two key new concretes, Lafarge and the Ponts solutions’ characteristics mean they are totally in keeping with sustainable construction: excellent thermal and areas. The first is incremental and involves reducing acoustic insulation, humidity regulation, high fire resistance, made from recycled materials, etc. Plura® et Chaussées central laboratory have pooled the water required by using additives to increase the plasterboard, one of the latest products created by Lafarge’s gypsum technical development center in their skills and scientific equipment fluidity of the gypsum when the board is being © Ignus Gerber / Médiathèque Lafarge to advance their knowledge of complex Avignon, demonstrates a higher-than-average solidity and mechanical resistance. These properties make it an designed. The second, incorporating a major techno- phenomena governing the behavior of ideal choice, for example, for installing kitchen cupboards, fitting out schools or building in seismic areas. logical breakthrough, aims to experiment with new SOLUTION PERVIOUS CONCRETE procedures to totally avoid using water or having a THE WATER RESISTANT QUALITIES OF CONCRETE ARE OFTEN PRAISED. However, Lafarge has just drying stage. “In terms of raw materials, our plaster- developed – as the exception which confirms the rule – a new pervious concrete which retains the board is manufactured using recycled paper and, mechanical properties of traditional concrete. This innovation was made possible by advances in relation increasingly, recycled gypsum, a material which can to granular piles and behavioral studies into materials on a nanometric scale. This new product is be reused infinitely, as well as synthetic gypsum especially well suited to the construction of large surface areas in an urban environment (parking lots, obtained by treating smoke from thermal power storage areas, etc.). It enables rapid absorption of rainwater in the event of heavy rain, reducing the risk stations. We are already at more than 50% and the of flooding in the area and safely channeling the water into the groundwater table. proportion is increasing rapidly. Korea, China and > Above: pervious concrete (left) and standard concrete (right).

08 | LAFARGE | INNOVATION REVIEW INNOVATION REVIEW | LAFARGE | 09 Implementation Worksites are key locations for sustainable construction. Priorities include speeding up processes, providing simpler solutions and reducing noise and air pollution for those who work on the site and live nearby. Lafarge is working constantly 2. to offer concrete solutions to these questions.

SOLUTION AGILIA®

LAUNCHED IN 2000, Agilia® remains the clear leader special superplasticizers developed by Lafarge R&D in self-placing and self-leveling concrete. Extremely teams. User-friendly Agilia® simplifies implementation, easy to use, it can flow into the smallest gaps makes it faster and massively reduces its in framework or a mold and be cast faultlessly into inconvenience. Aesthetically, it produces well-finished any shape desired. A real revolution on worksites, work and reveals flawless surfaces when the framework its fluid texture in particular removes the “vibration” is removed. It is robust and offers exceptional phase characteristic of traditional concrete, a stage resistance thanks to its specific granular composition. which is both physically demanding and very noisy. > Brook Residence, built in Agilia®,

This technical performance is made possible by adding Northern Vancouver, Canada. © Médiathèque Lafarge - Ignus Gerber

Faster, simpler pollution-free solutions © Paul McMullin / Médiathèque Lafarge - ConstructionPhotography.com

SOLUTION EXTENSIA®

EXTENSIA® CONCRETE IS DESIGNED FOR appear over time and need reinforcing. which means thinner slabs can be used CONSTRUCTING SLABS AND INDUSTRIAL The specific formulation of Extensia® makes without the need for any metal reinforcing and FLOORS SUBJECT TO HEAVY LOADS DUE TO the preparation, implementation and removal less energy consumption while being laid. TRAFFIC OR STORAGE. For surface areas up stages of worksites easier. The result Finally, it presents excellent resistance to surface good value for money, especially in emerging countries. makes it possible to pour very large slabs in a single to 400m2, this avoids having to use joints, which is a considerable time saving of around abrasion, which avoids both the need for But our products’ pricing is far from the only solution we session without the need for any joints. The result is are costly and unattractive, and reduces the 40% compared with a traditional slab and a protective render and costly maintenance work. offer our customers. The speed and simplicity of their simpler implementation, considerable time saved and risk of cracking. This is because joints are the less inconvenience. Other sustainable > Extensia® site in the UK. implementation are also just as decisive criteria.” a better carbon footprint. weak points of concrete floors, where cracks construction advantages include its performance, Within Lafarge, mention “time” and you immediately very day on a worksite brings additional costs (labor, think of Chronolia®, one of the new high value-added continued p.15 equipment, energy, etc.) – sometimes in the form of concretes launched by the Group in 2007. Framework lateness penalties – and continued pollution for local can be removed after just four hours as a result of an e residents (noise, dust, various emissions, etc.). Lafarge extremely fast increase in resistance, making it possible has been taking these issues into account for many to considerably reduce the duration of worksites – or A whole range years, both in terms of R&D and commercial catch up on delays which would be impossible with of products monitoring. “Lowering construction costs is among the traditional concrete. Products such as Agilia® and to make worksites major subjects we are working on from a financial, Extensia® also affect time taken, although that is not environmental and social perspective,” confirms Jean their main purpose. Agilia® removes the vibration stage. more convenient. Desazars de Montgailhard, Lafarge Executive Vice Presi- It is very fluid, ensuring completely even filling of the dent of Strategy, Development and Public Affairs. framework, saving energy and considerably reducing This obviously involves supplying materials which are noise pollution for local residents. Extensia®, meanwhile,

10 | LAFARGE | INNOVATION REVIEW INNOVATION REVIEW | LAFARGE | 11 use to reduce its environmental footprint. However, can be significantly improved by adjusting parameters installation of equipment enabling sustainable water of work carried out by the Group in collaboration LOW-ENERGY HOUSING depending on the context, it is possible to define a such as orientation, compactness, insulation, management, or even treatment, and recycling of waste with architects, engineering offices and major number of “golden rules” to follow. The 20 set out here ventilation, the ratio of glazed surfaces to solid walls, at the construction stage. In many of these areas, construction companies to advance knowledge in the From a sustainable construction perspective, there is no apply to the construction of a small apartment block, use of renewable energy sources, etc. But the exercise Lafarge is able to offer innovative and effective solutions field of sustainable construction and develop “ideal” building. The climate in which it is built, the position located in a country with a temperate climate such as also takes other just as essential factors into account, combining various products from its range – cements, construction systems which are consistent with its goals. of its site, its size, function and spatial layout have a decisive France, using traditional construction methods. They such as quality of life, thermal and acoustic comfort, concretes, plasterboard, etc. – in conjunction with other The low-energy housing presented in these pages N¡ influence on its design and the construction methods to mostly relate to the building’s energy efficiency, which the building aesthetics and its various spaces, building materials. Some of these solutions are the result demonstrates this.

1 PRÉGYMÉTAL™ CEILINGS Comprising a sheet of 1 decorative Synia® screwed onto a PrégymétalTM S47 ceiling 10 rail, this ceiling presents a smooth surface without any visible joints suitable for application of any type of finish. 2 9

2 ® PRÉGYMAX® 29.5 THERMEDIA 0.6 FACADE WITH ® With the lowest thermal PRÉGYMAX 29.5 INSULATION ® conductivity in its category, this 3 Thermedia O.6 is designed for use wall lining provides exceptional in outer shells and combines thermal ® thermal and acoustic DUCTAL BASED THERMAL and structural performances performances. It consumes BREAKER to limit thermal-bridge heat loss very little energy to produce. Providing perfect nsulation and in the case of internal insulation. a mechanical l nk between the concrete slab and the external wall, 10 this breaker, developed using 10 Ductal® and insulation, reduces DUCTAL® thermal bridges by up to 70%. This is a completely new 3 generation of high value-added f ber-reinforced concrete. Its performances are exceptional, including high resistance (to 4 compression and bending) and ductility. It allows construction using less raw materials.

5 4 PLATEC® These plasterboard-based 3D WAB® PARTITION elements are made-to-measure PRÉGYWAB sheets are the only and produce high quality interior plasterboard which can be used to 11 12 decorative finishes. The entire build partitions in very humid result costs much less than communal areas (classified EB+C PERVIOUS CONCRETE ARTEVIA® it would to produce on a worksite. and some areas classified EC). 6 This new pervious concrete Designed for nternal and It is also suitable for the design 3 rapidly absorbs rainwater in the external use, these concretes of external sheltered ceilings. This event of high levels of rain, produce material-effect surface is exclusive to Lafarge. reducing the risk of flooding. f nishes, such as imitation 5 7 6 polished marble. They are also ® UNIMAT ULTRA FLOOR very resistant to wear and tear. Unimat® Ultra Floor is a range of insulated floor products made from PSE. It is particularly well 9 11 suited to insulating floors heated 13 electrically or with water. 12 UNIMAT® FLOOR INSULATION This rigid expanded polystyrene 7 panel improves the home’s SYNIA® 12 thermal insulation. With its four tapered edges, It is light and simple to use, this plasterboard is ideal for very cutting fitting time by half. high ceilings and partitions. It is easy to use, reducing fitting t me. 8 13 14 8 LOW-CARBON CEMENT ® FLOOR A OR C CHAPE LIQUIDE The clinker in these products Self-spread ng and self-leveling, is being replaced in increasingly this mortar produces perfectly flat 14 high proportions by natural floors. Transport costs are avoided or industrially-derived cement by using local sand. It requ res additions. Charlotte Cauwer (architect) very little energy to produce. 14

20 golden rules of sustainable construction

GIVE PRIORITY TO PASSIVE REDUCTION OF ENERGY NEEDS PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT RESPONSE TO ENERGY NEEDS INCORPORATE PASSIVE AND THEN ACTIVE RENEWABLE ENERGIES GO BEYOND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

1 BUILDINGS WITH OPTIMAL COMPACTNESS 4 CUSTOMIZED SUN PROTECTION TO AVOID OVERHEATING 7 EFFICIENT AND CONTROLLED VENTILATION 10 POSITION THE BUILDING TO BEST CAPTURE THE SUN 14 REFLECTED LIGHT TO ENCOURAGE NATURAL 17 EFFECTIVE ACOUSTIC INSULATION TO REDUCE LOSS FROM THE ENVELOPE TO RENEW INTERIOR AIR LIGHTING TO PROMOTE OCCUPANTS’ COMFORT 5 DIFFERENCE IN GLASS SURFACES DEPENDING 11 OPTIMIZATION OF GLAZED SURFACES TO BENEFIT 2 EFFECTIVE THERMAL INSULATION ON ORIENTATION OF WALLS TO REDUCE LOSSES 8 MORE INTELLIGENT VENTILATION TO REGULATE FROM FREE SOLAR ENERGY 15 WINDOWS HIGH UP TO MAXIMIZE NATURAL 18 WATER MANAGEMENT TO ECONOMIZE RESOURCES TO REDUCE HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS THERMAL COMFORT LIGHTING 6 A LIGHT-COLORED ROOF TO AVOID OVERHEATING 12 SYSTEMS TO RECOVER SOLAR ENERGY THROUGH 19 MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES CHOSEN 3 IMPROVED AIRTIGHTNESS OF THE ENVELOPE 9 A STRUCTURE WHICH IS DESIGNED AND USED THE NON-GLASS SURFACES 16 RENEWABLE ENERGIES INCORPORATED TO REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT TO AVOID UNCONTROLLED ENERGY-WASTING TO FACILITATE HEATING AND COOLING AND IS ECONOMIC TO REPLACE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS STARTING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE DRAUGHTS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY 13 EXPOSED CONCRETE SURFACES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOLAR ENERGY OR COOLNESS AT NIGHT 20 A GREEN-PLANTED ROOF TO IMPROVE INTEGRATION INTO THE SITE AND MANAGEMENT OF RAINWATER

12 | LAFARGE | INNOVATION REVIEW INNOVATION REVIEW | LAFARGE | 13 SOLUTION CHAPE LIQUIDE® Keeping to schedule and reducing the quantity of cement SOLUTION GEOFF WATSON, PROJECT MANAGER, STUART OLSON CONSTRUCTION SELF-SPREADING AND SELF-LEVELING, this ready-mixed mortar produces DUST-FREE RENDER perfectly flat floors. There are many advantages to Chape Liquide®: rapid “During the construction of DiscoveryGreen in Burnaby, British Columbia, SANDING RENDER AND CLEANING THE pouring and hardening, acoustic and thermal insulation, lightweight screeds, Canada, our objective was to obtain Gold certification from LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a standardization system for high RESULTING DUST ARE TWO PARTICULARLY no need for steel reinforcement… Its other advantage is its low environmental environmental quality buildings, with a limited ecological impact). This was a real LONG AND DIFFICULT STAGES. Aware of the footprint. The mortar is manufactured in concrete plants which have challenge! Lafarge suggested a whole series of ideas and alternatives to help us keep difficulties which many professionals face, established policies to help preserve natural resources; it is made using to the schedule and tackle the requirements to reduce the quantity of cement. Lafarge has developed a ready-mixed local sand, avoiding transportation of materials over long distances; and its Close collaboration developed between Lafarge and Stuart Olson Constructors Inc. plasterboard jointing render which gives production process consumes very little energy. For the preparation and testing of UltraGreen® formulations, varying the ratios of off very little sanding dust. As well as its > Pouring anhydrite Chape liquide ® at the Avignon TGV railway station, France. “MPa (a measurement of resistance) and cement.” benefits in terms of ease of use and productivity, its soft, creamy texture makes In the Gypsum Business, Lafarge has concentrated on Safety requirements it especially simple to implement. reducing the “supplied and fitted” cost. All plaster- In some markets, this assistance policy can go as far as Easier to spread and easier to sand, boards are equipped with increasingly powerful offering training to employees and customers. In South it dries very quickly and almost without solutions to make fitting easier and faster. The pre- Korea, for example, enormous work has been accom- shrinkage, producing a perfect, effortless fabricated elements of the PLAtec® range, as well as plished by Lafarge’s teams to set them apart from their quality of finish. the wide choice they offer in terms of interior design, competitors regarding safety. The “safety champions” save time while guaranteeing impeccable finishes. The initiative designed for Lafarge employees was then same is true for the PrégyDéco® range, pre-rendered extended to the company’s customers, either through plasters with decorative joints which have the same awareness-raising, training or site coordination. absorption coefficient and allow one of the painting Performance, lowers costs, simplicity, comfort, safety stages to be carried out before delivery of the building. are all criteria that Lafarge believes are an integral part And Synia®, whose four tapered edges avoid excess of the very concept of sustainable construction and thickness of seams, has become one of fitters’ favorite which it considers at a very early stage in the R&D products. “A survey carried out in France in May 2009 process. Its customers’ satisfaction depends on it. showed that Synia® plasterboard is highly acclaimed by its users,” says Bernard Fauconnier, Director of R&D, Sales, Marketing & Innovation for the Gypsum Business. “More than 95% of users recommend it to one of their colleagues.” In terms of ease of use, the Group has designed a range The Group has designed a range of ready-mix renders for plasterboard systems which of ready-mix renders for plasterboard do not create any dust during sanding. This is an systems which do not create any dust undeniable benefit in terms of health and workplace comfort for professionals. during sanding.

Assistance and networks of builders Lafarge has also developed Sensium® cements which allow concrete to be manufactured on-site. More malleable and supple for mortar, more fluid and easier to spread for concretes, they require less effort and so reduce worksite inconveniences. Finally, their fast hardening time produces significant productivity gains. Similarly to Extensia® and Agilia®, Chape Liquide®, a © Pierre-François Grosjean / Médiathèque Lafarge self-spreading and self-leveling ready-mixed mortar, © Christophe Grilhé - Jean-Marie Duthilleul - Étienne Tricaud - Marcel Bayard François Bonnefille (architectes) © Christophe Grilhé - Jean-Marie Duthilleul Étienne Tricaud © DR makes it simple to build low-temperature heated floors SOLUTION CHRONOLIA® for the residential sector. Lafarge does more than just offer its customers more A CONCRETE WHICH CAN BE TRANSPORTED OR HANDLED LIKE AN ORDINARY FLUID effective and simpler products to use. It also offers them CONCRETE, WHILE VERY QUICKLY usage advice and related services, making their lives a DEVELOPING HIGH MECHANICAL RESISTANCE whole lot easier. In parallel to the assistance provided ONCE IN PLACE... These are the astonishing by its technical sales teams, it has created technical characteristics of Chronolia®, a major assistance call centers. For some of its high value-added technological breakthrough for the products such as Agilia® and Artevia®, it may call on construction sector. This high value-added networks of builders trained in how to use its products. concrete is the result of the most cutting-edge This initiative has been taken even further for very Lafarge research in terms of hydration kinetics specific constructions, such as hospitals, schools, hotels, and the study of materials on a nanometric etc., by offering turnkey solutions including supply of scale. The framework can be removed ® products, construction systems and networks of from Chronolia just four hours after pouring, compared with 12 to 20 hours for traditional approved builders. To do this, Lafarge studied their concrete. With such a fast increase particular constraints in terms of aesthetics, hygiene in resistance, it makes it possible to double and sound and heat insulation in depth, in order to the number of daily framework cycles come up with a product perfectly suited to their needs. and completely redesign a worksite in terms of deadlines, cycle times and use of equipment. The result is time and productivity savings, considerable reductions in costs as well as worksite noise and air pollution. © Cédric Arnold / Médiathèque Lafarge - Réa © Claude Cieutat / Médiathèque Lafarge Simple and appropriate SOLUTION SENSIUM® GIACOMO PENNA, PLASTERBOARD FITTER A REAL REVOLUTION IN THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD, Sensium® technological ® I am used to working with Synia plasterboard. This type of board cements have brought the material into a new era. Developed by Lafarge following is excellent as it ensures complete evenness: once the joining and years of research, this new range combines three major innovations: dust-free

finishing are complete, the surface is perfectly flat. For installations © Médiathèque Lafarge - Flga S.A. Santiago Calatrava (architecte) in a humid environment, rather than a cavity-wall solution, I use the simple technology, a new production process and exclusive technical properties. ® ® system involving a standard board and insulation panels over a metal It is available as two separate products, Sensium for mortar and Sensium for > Oviedo Conference and Exhibition Center, structure. The thickness is easier to adjust according to available space. concrete, which both offer unrivalled performances. 100% dust-free, they are very Spain, an ultra-high performance concrete structure It is also a way of optimizing performance.” user-friendly and encourage a clean and careful finish. More malleable and designed by Santiago Calatrava. > Brighton College, UK: fitting of GTEC Aqua Board, impermeable plasterboard for humid supple for mortar, more fluid and easier to spread for concretes, they require less “interior or exterior rooms. effort to implement and so reduce worksite inconveniences. Finally, as a result of its faster hardening time and increased resistance, work is more efficient and therefore more sustainable. © Jim Johnson / Médiathèque Lafarge 14 | LAFARGE | INNOVATION REVIEW INNOVATION REVIEW | LAFARGE | 15 Services Needs vary in relation to services even more than they do for products, according to market structures and local Energy cost Buildings now represent nearly 40% of global energy demand. Around 80% of this energy customs. Lafarge has adopted a practical strategy, encouraging regional initiatives and duplicating is consumed during their use, between the time they are delivered and their them in other countries where appropriate. The Group focuses on two priorities – improving its customer relations destruction. Solutions do exist however to massively reduce this rate or even design buildings which produce 3. and optimizing the logistics chain. 4. as much energy as they consume. Lafarge is assisting the construction sector with this more sustainable approach.

> A remote system of measuring cement levels in © Paul McMullin / Médiathèque Lafarge - ConstructionPhotography.com storage silos automatically triggers deliveries. © Franck Betermin / Médiathèque Lafarge - Abaca Press

A multilocal strategy for value-added services

> Brook Residence in northern Vancouver, Canada, no sense, although we do duplicate or adapt a good Having explored GPS geolocation, semi-automated built using Agilia® and awarded LEED (Leadership

idea from one market to another. Because what may be communication via text was implemented. The same in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. © Médiathèque Lafarge - Ignus Gerber innovative in one country may be outdated or unsuit- idea was used in Ecuador, where SMS is used to put able in another. The most important thing is to listen to drivers in touch with customers. Lafarge has even used our customers’ needs and respond to them. The this new method to pass on road safety messages to its services we offer them help to increase the quality of drivers, salespeople and customers. Finally, in Jordan, our overall service.” Lafarge has equipped its call center with an automated customer call handling system (for orders, cancella- he fundamental purpose of the services developed by Optimization of the logistics chain tions, delivery information requests, etc.) which sends Lafarge in addition to its product solutions is to respond Innovation is also an important aspect of improving out an SMS message once the request has been to customers’ expectations. This is particularly true of the logistics chain. In North America, for example, the processed. In every case this communication method t the call centers set up by the Group in France and Cement Business offers its customers an extremely has proved effective and, above all, cheaper! It is not Less duplicated in other countries. These allow customers sophisticated ordering and delivery service. This is important what method is used, provided it improves to find out information about Lafarge’s existing range, based on a system which remotely measures cement customer satisfaction. as well as new products and applications at any time, levels in storage silos, automatically triggering deliv- as well as receiving advice on the choice or use of a eries. Results include: real added value for customers, energy-hungry particular material or construction method. This who receive the cement they need “just in time”; concept has also been adapted to the Internet through optimization of vehicle journeys, and therefore fuel a series of sustainable construction websites, each consumption and CO2 emissions; and finally greater targeting various users (architects, engineering offices, safety, both in relation to silo overflows whose level has buildings tradesmen, individual clients, etc.). “These call centers been incorrectly measured and risk of falling when are very valuable solutions which have proved their visually inspecting levels. On a different note, in the worth,” says Bernard Fauconnier, Director of R&D, United Kingdom, Lafarge uses real-time tracking Sales, Marketing & Innovation for the Gypsum software to monitor its trucks. This is a very effective Business. “Although strictly speaking they are not new, way of improving its delivery system, better satisfying they are constantly being enhanced and remain a very customers and optimizing journeys – thereby helping good vehicle for providing advice and assistance to to reduce consumption and emissions. customers, from prescribers to individual clients.” Again in the UK, the Gypsum Business, which has just Group uses Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This involves standardized methodology – ISO 14040 – and takes all France is not the only country in which the Group is entirely redesigned its logistics chain to improve its quantifying an environmental impact according to several significant environmental indicators into account. It is developing its customer services thanks to new infor- cost effectiveness, has decided to try out a new type of criteria (primary energy consumption, greenhouse gas also especially suitable since it applies to the whole

mation and communication technologies. truck. These are more aerodynamic, helping to reduce © Jean-Baptiste Vetter emissions, air pollution, water consumption, transport, lifetime of the product or building being assessed.” In Brazil, for instance, Lafarge has just launched a new fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. waste production, etc.) and takes a material’s complete website, the “Customer Portal”, to take orders 24 hours SOLUTION WASTE MANAGEMENT lifecycle into account, from the extraction of raw materials a day, seven days a week. The particularly carefully Special communication methods QE, Habitat & Environnement, Minergie, LEED, to recycling Lafarge’s landfill disposal. LCA is now an continued p. 19 MORE THAN 30 MILLION TONS designed interface guides customers and helps them These innovations, which use advanced technology, could of worksite waste is produced each BREEAM… The number of “sustainable construction” integral part of Lafarge research methods. year in France by the construction sector. Aware of the importance select the products they need and then place their not be duplicated in any country. The strength of Lafarge certifications and labels has soared over recent years all “We have opted for LCA as it is the only method which of this waste production in terms of sustainable development and order as effectively as if they were on the telephone to teams is being able to adapt to the context of different around the world. Their fundamental purpose is to provides a genuine scientific approach to the question,” wanting to help its customers respond to new regulatory h a call center agent. “This question of services is at the markets. The Group’s customers in the Philippines, for requirements, Lafarge provides inert worksite waste removal at encourage the industry to design healthy and comfort- says Constant Van Aerschot, Lafarge’s Director of Analyzing the heart of our multilocal strategy,” emphasizes Jean instance, can place their orders via SMS from their cell around 50 of its sites. This local service offers added value and able buildings whose impact on the environment, Sustainable Construction. “It can be used to measure entire lifecycle Desazars de Montgailhard, Lafarge Executive Vice phone. This method of communication is also used in significant time savings for construction professionals (no handling, assessed on their entire lifecycle, is as limited as possible. the environmental impact of any product, a bag of of a material or President of Strategy, Development and Public Affairs. Serbia, where Lafarge needed to stay in contact with its no dumpster to fill, etc.), while helping them move towards more To ensure that new products respond as well as possible cement, a coffee machine or a car, as well as an entire “Designing innovative services at a Group level makes drivers to keep its customers informed of delivery times. sustainable construction. to these environmental challenges and obtain labels, the building. It is by far the most objective, since it uses a a building.

16 | LAFARGE | INNOVATION REVIEW INNOVATION REVIEW | LAFARGE | 17 Beyond the project specifications SOLUTION UNIMAT® FLOOR INSULATION DAVID LORD, VICE PRESIDENT, SCOTT CONSTRUCTION GROUP UNIMAT® FLOOR INSULATION IS A RIGID EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE PANELwith Lafarge has helped us in situations where we say ‘How do we make this?’. They have responded with mixed design a rounded surface and arched back for greater mechanical resistance. Its properties solutions and at times a completely different approach to a make it a useful ally in improving a building’s thermal insulation. It is especially well concrete structure made possible by the advanced mix additives suited to the light framework of girder floors of individual houses. But it can also be such as Agilia®, Chronolia®, and Extensia®. We value Lafarge’s used in addition to insulation or to deal with the thermal bridge of an upper floor. willingness to think beyond the project specifications and provide Light to transport and handle, simple to use and easy to cut, it halves fitting time forward thinking solutions.” compared with concrete floor blocks.

“ LCA calls into question many concepts taken for granted BUILDING SUSTAINABLY IS NOT SO EXPENSIVE! © DR in construction. For instance, the environmental footprint As part of the EEB (Energy Efficiency of Buildings) project, the WBCSD of hemp wool or duck feather insulation – perceived to conducted a survey of construction industry professionals’ perception of the be environmentally-friendly – turns out to be less so than additional costs of “green” buildings. This showed that they believe glass wool. The same is true per square meter for a the additional cost to be 17% compared with a traditional building, or three concrete block wall compared to one built from bricks, times the actual extra cost of only around 5%, if an integrated design approach with the former having less environmental impact in is adopted. The poll also demonstrated a deep lack of knowledge about relation to the majority of environmental indicators. buildings’ contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. This represents 35% although according to the survey professionals think it is just 9%.

Environmentally-friendly building systems *World Business Council for Sustainable Development. SOLUTION “We have observed that our concretes, for example, DUCTAL®-BASED achieve excellent environmental results using LCA,” says THERMAL BREAKER Pascal Casanova, Lafarge Director of R&D. “When talking about sustainable construction, considering each PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FRANCE AT THE POLLUTEC material in isolation is not very meaningful. The reasoning This system reduces thermal bridges by up to 70%, while Redron, Marketing Director of the Concrete Business. FAIR, IN NOVEMBER 2007, must take into account the very close links between retaining traditional construction methods. “It is a decisive “The LCA study also demonstrated the benefits of this thermal bridge breaker is a major them, the construction methods, the buildings’ archi- advantage, when you consider that thermal bridges alone Extensia® from an environmental perspective. innovation in terms of sustainable tecture and also urban planning questions (density, represent 10-20% of a building’s energy loss,” notes Because of its qualities, a thinner slab is required – construction. This is a breaker organization of mobility, etc.). We have made enormous Denis Berthon, Marketing Director of the Cement 17.5cm instead of 20cm – for equal performance. developed using Ductal® and progress in this field, especially as a result of partner- Business. The Gypsum Business has also made progress According to a study conducted in Britain, by using less insulation. Providing perfect insulation ships we have forged with architecture firms, engineering on these thermal insulation issues, jointly with other Group material and removing the need for joints, a 20% reduc- and a mechanical link between the offices and construction companies.” Among all the activities, to provide solutions combining external and tion in CO2 emissions is achieved compared with a concrete slab and the external wall, criteria contributing to sustainable construction, Lafarge internal insulation. “But in existing houses it is sometimes conventional slab.” the breaker reduces thermal bridges has focused particularly on reducing energy consumed difficult – even impossible – to insulate a building from by up to 70%. Economical and sustainable, these solutions represent and the related issue of CO2 emissions. First, because outside,” says Bernard Fauconnier, Director of R&D, Energy-producing buildings? real progress in terms of energy it has been made a vital area by global warming and Sales, Marketing & Innovation for the Gypsum Business. On a more futuristic note, the Group has launched a and environmental performance for dwindling fossil fuels. Second, due to the proportion of “We have therefore developed products making it easier project in collaboration with United Technologies Corp. concrete constructions. energy consumed by buildings on a global scale, which to insulate from inside, without increasing the thickness into the energy efficiency of buildings (EEB), launched represents nearly 40%! The expected strengthening of of insulation. We have also just launched new plaster- in 2006 under the aegis of the World Business Council national thermal regulations also makes it a vital question board lined with polystyrene, Prégymax® 29.5, which for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). It promotes a for the industry. provides far higher thermal insulation for an equal thick- world in which buildings produce as much energy as Lafarge’s teams have used LCA to carry out two very ness than materials such as glass wool. “Some of our they consume. Many multinationals have signed up to advanced studies into existing homes in France – a products and systems also remove thermal bridges. this international project, covering Europe, the United detached house and a small apartment block – in order And we have other projects, such as plasterboard incor- States, Brazil, China, Japan and India. The latest study

© DR © DR to identify the most effective construction methods. Their porating phase-change materials, which reduce the published in April shows how buildings’ energy conclusions provide practical information about quantities of energy required to maintain a comfortable consumption can be reduced by 60% by 2050. The concrete’s contribution to eco-design: thermal inertia, temperature.” WBCSD offers a road map which aims to transform the airtightness, building compactness, orientation and construction sector and calls for immediate action to openings, choice of materials, quantity of materials, Concrete: a good environmental footprint push forward mentalities and practices. lifecycle and recycling. “These two studies demonstrate LCA does not only apply to buildings. Lafarge has carried that concrete-based construction systems make it out a comparative study, for instance, on two differently possible to obtain a high level of comfort and increased designed bridges: a combined structure, comprising a energy efficiency for little cost,” continues Constant Van steel framework with a bridge deck made from standard Aerschot. “Another of concrete’s advantages, its long concrete and a bridge made from Ductal®, ultra-high lifespan, is a factor which improves the environmental performance fiber-reinforced concrete developed by footprint. These studies also demonstrate that, contrary Group researchers. Its conclusions are categorical. The to accepted ideas, constructing sustainably is advanta- second solution has a better environmental footprint than geous in terms of overall cost. If you take insulation and the first. Why is this? A significant reduction in the airtightness, for example, energy savings during the quantity of material used, made possible by the excep- usage phase take two years to compensate the small tional resistance of Ductal®. The same observation for additional cost of above-average quality insulation and Extensia®, the concrete designed for large slabs and airtightness. When the building’s use is considered over industrial floors. “Our sales points were originally limited 50 years, the benefits are undeniable.” to time saved and quality of finish,” confides François

Better insulation This work on construction methods brings with it several product innovations. In particular, Lafarge has just devel- oped a new generation concrete, Thermedia® 0.6, in collaboration with Bouygues. Its special composition – extremely lightweight aggregates – means that it reduces heat loss from buildings and reduces thermal bridges at intermediate floor level in the case of internal thermal insulation. This ready-mixed structural concrete is the only one currently capable of combining resistance and lightness, mechanical performance and thermal proper- ties. Meanwhile, the Cement Business has just launched a thermal bridge breaker designed with Ductal®, the ultra- high performance fiber-reinforced concrete. © DR © Arte Charpentier SOLUTION THERMEDIA® 0.6 Anticipating environmental impact JEAN-DANIEL KUHN, ARTE CHARPENTIER ARCHITECTS A NEW GENERATION CONCRETE PATENTED BY LAFARGE, Thermedia® 0.6 © DR helps strengthen concrete’s position as a sustainable building material. Since it was founded in 1969, Arte Charpentier Architects has always focused on innovation. Sustainable development is at the center of our Its formulation is completely new: it uses very lightweight aggregates with projects at every level, whether cities, districts or interior redevelopment. SOLUTION PRÉGYMAX® 29.5 a density 40% less than traditional aggregates, cutting its thermal This strong commitment particularly helped us to produce the Tour Elithis, conductivity by two-thirds compared with standard concrete, the first positive-energy tertiary building in France. The research partnership THIS NEW PRODUCT is made up of This low thermal conductivity, the lowest while retaining identical structural properties to traditional concrete. initiated with Lafarge will allow us to go even further, by jointly developing plasterboard and an elasticized PSE-Graphite of all thermal-acoustic insulation available Thermedia® 0.6 reduces heat loss through the building’s construction systems which improve energy performance and reduce building panel, with exceptional thermal and acoustic on the market, makes it a clear leader envelope and so actively contributes to improving construction methods costs, through a real construction project. This will also make it possible to performance. The successor to the highly in its category. Light and flexible, incorporating internal thermal insulation. “experiment with new project management approaches and simulation tools.” popular Prégymax® 32, Prégymax® 29.5 liner Prégymax® 29.5 liner complex does not warp complex does not cause any thermal bridge and is very easy to fit. And the product since it has no metal frame and, as its name is 100% recyclable and consumes very little indicates, boasts a lambda of 29.5. energy to manufacture.

18 | LAFARGE | INNOVATION REVIEW INNOVATION REVIEW | LAFARGE | 19 Adapting to specific needs Building methods vary between Europe, SOLUTION DURABAT® Customized solutions Asia and Africa. Geography, climate, type of construction and the level of the country’s development have CARMEN SANTANA SERRA, ARCHIKUBIK, ARCHITECT BUILDING MATERIALS are sometimes used in particularly difficult In Barcelona, we are building a school in the former gardens of a religious an impact on the behavior of buildings and the construction method used. As a result of its local approach environments (aggressive, unstable or damp soils, drainage water, extreme order. Our project needs to take into account the important topography ® to international development, Lafarge responds to this wide range of needs. climate conditions, etc.). With Durabat cement, Lafarge has taken all these of the site, the gardens’ environment of small buildings and the ancient constraints into account. Designed mainly for tradesmen and small trees. The whole building forms an “L” with an 80m-long facade. A series companies, this product makes it possible to lay foundations in difficult of high-spec vertical pillars provide a structure, act as ducts for pipes and add 5. ground in contact with dirty or corrosive water in aquacultural, rhythm. Initially the pillars were due to be poured on site, but after a meeting oyster farming or wine growing environments or with liquid manures with Léopold Lombard from Lafarge a year ago, we studied the possibility of ® in an agricultural environment. using posts cast from Ductal in order to reduce the worksite’s impact and save “construction time. This was completely innovative in Spain. Aware of the added value represented by this material – both technological and aesthetic – the project manager did not oppose the solution despite the additional cost. A team was formed and our joint work produced plans for posts, whose prototype cast was manufactured by Bonna Sabla, based near Montpellier (there are currently no Ductal® prefabrication companies in Spain). A trip to Bonna Sabla was arranged to provide us with a better understanding of how casts are made, which is fundamental to making them simpler and more competitive…” Different approaches for different countries to ensure optimal solutions © DR © DR

by the Group (Chronolia®, Extensia®, Agilia®, Artévia®, approach.” In India, the Affordable Housing for Masses Ductal®, etc.) also includes products adapted to every program makes it possible to construct low-cost homes use. The infinite variety of formulations for this material using concrete while incorporating environmental makes it possible to adjust its composition according to concerns. The same principle applies to Eco-City, local resources and needs. Even in emerging markets, launched in partnership with WWF and local NGOs where delivery of ready-mix concrete is an innovation in Midrand, a deprived suburb of Johannesburg. The in itself, Lafarge offers its customers added value. “In 300 tons of cement and 70m3 of concrete donated by countries such as India, Morocco, Vietnam or South Lafarge enabled around 30 low-cost homes to be built, Africa, the pace of private home building is relatively with passive solar heating, rainwater recovery and use slow,” explains François Redron, Marketing Director of of recycled materials, especially polystyrene waste which, the Concrete Business. “Under these conditions, deliv- mixed in with the concrete, provided the materials for ering a mixer truck of 6m3 to 8m3 is not always appro- making thermal insulation blocks. priate. We therefore consider solutions to ship smaller This ability to respond to specific needs is just as valuable quantities and produce slow-hardening concretes which for taking into account exceptional natural conditions. afarge is present in 79 countries, across five continents. retain their workability for longer.” In Chile, as part of the Ocho al Cubo project, eight of the As it has grown, it has had to adapt its strategy, its This ability to adapt is also expressed in other ways. In the Chile’s top architects were invited to build the home of commercial approach and its product range to these Cement Business, the Group has developed undeniable their dreams, in the idyllic setting of the Marbella beach l diverse markets. It is obvious: needs in developed expertise in varying its products’ characteristics using resort. To ensure they would be around for a long time, countries are not the same as in emerging countries. additions to the cement. Whether to improve their imper- they all chose Lafarge’s architectonic concrete, a leader And construction methods vary depending on where meability, their resistance, their workability, their quality in this region subject to significant seismic activity. you are in the world, due to the climate, cultural customs of finish, or, at the design stage, by adapting its produc- The same is true of the construction of the Rion-Antirion and resource availability. “The way in which we design tion process to use only raw materials available locally, bridge, connecting the Peloponnese to mainland and implement our new solutions takes these factors producing savings and lower emissions. “The intercon- Greece, which, at 2.8km long, is the longest suspended into account,” says Christophe Lévy, Lafarge Construc- nection between our plants at a global level enables us bridge ever built in the world. The 750,000 tons of high- tion Innovation Director. “Our approaches consider the to offer genuinely ‘homegrown products’,” emphasizes performance aggregates supplied by the Group to genuine distinction between developed and emerging Denis Berthon, Marketing Director of the Cement construct the pillars allow it to withstand winds of up to countries, and even between different emerging Business. “We also adapt to climatic conditions, which 250 km/h, a 7.0 earthquake on the Richter scale or… countries. With the possible exception of major world is a very important factor for our products. The frost- a collision with a 180,000 ton oil tanker! Did you mention cities, interest in eco-design is not as advanced in India, thaw cycle, for example, requires different compositions sustainable? China or Kenya, although it is growing everywhere in in Central Europe compared to tropical countries.” In the world.” countries with high rainfall, the introduction of plastic © Mattias Jesper / Médiathèque Lafarge - Richard Hawkes (architecte) © Cédric Prat / Médiathèque Lafarge - Ateliers Jean Nouvel (architecte) “We have two types of portfolio management for innova- packaging instead of traditional bags was a simple but SOLUTION PLATEC® SOLUTION WAB® tive projects,” Bernard Fauconnier, Director of R&D, valuable innovation. A similar but more technical Sales, Marketing & Innovation for the Gypsum Business, example, the introduction of WAB® plasterboard which WITH PLATEC®, building professionals can enjoy “haute couture” in interior design LAFARGE HAS INVENTED WAB® — THE FIRST PLASTERBOARD NOT AFRIAD points out. “Management at an international level is resistant to water and adverse weather, increased the The interconnection at an off-the-peg price. These gypsum products exclusive to Lafarge, are prefabricated OF WATER. The whole construction system of plasterboard, render, taping, joining, covering the whole of the Gypsum Business. The other use of plasterboard in humid environments. between our plants to order according to the customer’s specifications. They can be used to create screws, etc. offers very high resistance to water and humidity. at a national level, in order to adapt our products and Another practical illustration of this priority are the at a global level enables decorative elements and design unusual interior spaces, pillars, structures, friezes Originally designed to build partitions in humid environments, it is also suitable systems to the requirements of local markets. In Mexico projects developed by Lafarge in India and South Africa for suspended ceilings, cornices for concealed lighting, etc. As well as this great for designing covered external ceilings. It works brilliantly in tropical or very humid and South Africa, we are developing a special range of in the field of low-cost construction. “This is a totally new us to offer ‘homegrown versatility, Platec® solutions offer many advantages: simplicity of installation, control climates. With a more waterproof surface, less absorption of water by the plaster 6mm plasterboard for low cost construction needs.” approach to building low-cost housing, without sacri- products’. over production times, quality of decoration and high standard of finish. And all and more stable mechanical strength after damping, WAB® retains its level The same goes for render: markets are divided into ficing quality, for people with low incomes,” says François for a much lower cost than producing equivalent elements directly on-site. The range of performance and aesthetic qualities whatever the ambient humidity. also includes solutions with proven acoustic absorption properties. Easy to install and compatible with other plasterboard systems, it can be stored powder countries – France, Italy and Spain– and Redron. “Our ambition for the future is to be a real design > Installation of auditorium wall lining in the Musée du Quai-Branly, Paris, France. in the open air for six months without damage: a great quality for worksites… countries with ready-mixed paste – the United States, agent, decorating houses, supplying all the elements > Crossway eco-home in Staplehurst, Kent, United Kingdom, designed by architect Australia and South Korea. required to build them and helping to implement them Richard Hawkes, an EEB construction. The range of high value-added concretes developed – all as part of a truly ‘sustainable construction’

20 | LAFARGE | INNOVATION REVIEW INNOVATION REVIEW | LAFARGE | 21 Comfort and aesthetics Concepts of aesthetics, comfort and resistance to wear and tear are essential criteria in the construction industry. They promote the usage value of buildings and their insertion into their landscape and are therefore closely linked to the concept of sustainable construction. That is how Lafarge sees it anyway and the company has long included these criteria in its approach 6. to innovation.

Beautiful constructions, more comfortable for longer

or passageways designed for their inhabitants. “We pay Sustainable construction also means comfortable very close attention to these questions, particularly construction. From this perspective, homes, offices and through surveys of our customers, as well as end users public spaces must meet increasingly high standards. in order to find out what they expect,” says François To do this, Lafarge has developed many thermal insula- Redron, Marketing Director for the Concrete Business. tion, thermo-acoustic and water-resistant products. In terms of aesthetics, the Group’s expertise in the The Group’s expertise in terms of construction systems formulation of its products makes it possible to obtain allows it to offer almost turnkey solutions, combining an impeccable finish to the raw or painted concrete various product ranges: insulating concretes for thermal ® © Gonzalo Azumendi / age fotostock - Zaha Hadid (architecte) ir Norman Foster’s Millau Viaduct, Santiago Calatrava’s elements. For example Agilia , the self-placing, self- bridges, thermal bridge interrupters, insulating or water- Oviedo Conference Center, the Villa Navarra or the leveling concrete created by Lafarge, is an ideal solution resistant renders and mortars, plasterboard incorpo- > Villa Navarra, Provence, France, built using Ductal®, designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti. Footbridge of Peace in Seoul designed by Rudy to obtain perfect finishes. rating thermal or acoustic insulation, etc. “The purpose Ricciotti, Le Corbusier’s church of Saint-Pierre-de- “We are in the process of developing new products in of innovating is to market products and systems with s Firminy, the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, designed order to further improve the surface of shells,” says more added value for us and our customers,” explains SOLUTION SYNIA® by the Scott Wilson Advanced Technology Group, Zaha François Redron. “The Artévia® range of decorative Bernard Fauconnier, Director of R&D, Sales, Marketing Hadid’s Phaeno Center in Wolfsburg – all exceptional concretes, launched in 2004, is constantly being & Innovation for the Gypsum Business. “These aspects LAFARGE WAS THE FIRST building materials in 2004, guarantee complete flatness to the naked eye, even under low-angled structures with a striking avant-garde appearance. The expanded as a result of aggregates whose shapes, of comfort, aesthetics and resistance contribute signif- company to mass produce plasterboard of ceilings and large vertical partitions. lighting. It is also very easy to use, with all beauty of these constructions obviously owes a lot to textures and colors can be infinitely varied. And Ductal® icantly to this. Placing customers’ understanding and ® with four tapered edges, Synia , an ideal Compared with traditional plasterboard which four edges of each sheet tapered to simplify their designers. But some would probably not have is still providing an astonishing range of applications: innovation at the heart of our strategy in this way allows solution for ceilings and high partitions. only has two tapered edges, Synia® provides installation and save time on the worksite. been built without Lafarge’s ability to offer them innova- floating bridges, elegant walls and even ‘trendy’ furni- us to establish our leadership, to be more competitive, The technical specifications a perfect finish. Once the sheets are painted > Central World Plaza shopping center, Bangkok, tive solutions, thereby giving them the freedom to ture.” Lafarge’s high performance concrete has been to attack new market segments, to improve our of the product, which was launched or wallpapered, the seams are invisible Thailand. imagine these slender bridge decks, elegant roofs and chosen by architects Alain Moatti and Alain Rivière to manufacturing standards and to focus on quality…” floating structures. For many, the technical perform- create the furniture for the chain of 62 Yves Saint Which obviously benefits the company, but is above all ance, the impeccable finish and resistance of the Laurent boutiques around the world. the best means of responding to customers’ needs. products used contributes without a doubt to their The Group also offers a very wide range of mortars and aesthetic qualities. wall renders, adapted locally to take account of regional Whether in relation to large projects of this type or family aesthetics. The same is true of aggregates which make homes, aesthetics, comfort and resistance over time it possible to enhance colored or coated concretes, have long been among the criteria guiding the Group’s slabs, panels or road coverings. Finally, in the Gypsum R&D. First, because they extend the likely lifespan of Business, products such as PrégyDéco® pre-rendered A construction’s a building – an unattractive, uncomfortable building plasterboard, Synia® plasterboard with four tapered usage value guides which deteriorates quickly is likely to be demolished edges and PLAtec® pre-fabricated decorative elements Group R&D. quickly. Second, because they are an integral part of contribute to improving finishes for less cost and greater their usage value, a primordial part of the living spaces ease of use.

Creative freedom ZAHA HADID, ARCHITECT I love working with curves, as I think that visually it is a way of simplifying the structure, enabling more complexity to be expressed without smothering or clogging up the visual scene. I am interested in techniques which enable me to do this in concrete. I love concrete, as it is a very fluid and continuous material. I like taking advantage of its fluidity, its fineness, ® © Cédric Arnold / Réa - Architect49 Co., Ltd. (architecte) © Zaha Hadid, architecte “as I am currently doing with Ductal .”

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CONTACTS Senior Vice-President, Group Communications Sara Ravella [email protected] Phone: + 33 1 44 34 58 36 Editorial director Yolaine Galhié Editor-in-chief Anne Larroquette Concept-Production Lafarge, Textuel Copy Lafarge, Textuel Printed by E-Graphics Front cover Ductal® panels (detail) on the construction site of the RATP bus depot, Thiais, France, designed by Emmanuel Combarel & Dominique Marrec. © Médiathèque Lafarge - Benoît Fougeirol - Emmanuel Combarel & Dominique Marrec (architect) Ductal® (detail), Belleville nursery, Paris, France, designed by Bruno Rollet. © Médiathèque Lafarge - Benoît Fougeirol - Bruno Rollet (Architecte) October 2009

SOLUTION ARTEVIA® Lafarge ARTÉVIA® is a range of decorative concretes mention a wide range of patterns (tiles, slabs, etc.). 61, rue des Belles-Feuilles, BP 40, specially designed for interior and exterior use. Far from being simply attractive, these products 75782 Paris Cedex 16, France Mat or gloss, natural or sophisticated, combining combine design and performance. Their formulation a wide selection of colors and extremely varied gives them an excellent adaptation to complex Tél. : + 33 1 44 34 11 11 material effects, Artevia® concretes offer great shapes, makes them fast to install, Fax : + 33 1 44 34 12 00 creative freedom. They produce surfaces simple to maintain and very hard wearing. which resemble polished marble, natural dressed > The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, www.lafarge.com stone or the rustic appearance of sand, not to Meyerton, Gauteng, South Africa.

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