Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading building materials company and a member of the Holcim Group, has officially launched ECOPlanet Elephant Cement, its latest addition to the ECOPlanet range of sustainable cement solutions. This launch is another important step in the company’s efforts to support low-carbon construction and environmental responsibility in Nigeria and across Africa.
The new product follows the successful introduction of ECOPlanet Unicem in 2024 and builds upon Lafarge Africa’s strategy to offer solutions that reduce the environmental footprint of the built environment without compromising technical performance. ECOPlanet Elephant Cement achieves a 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional Portland cement, while delivering the same strength, durability, and workability for which the Elephant brand is known.
From an engineering standpoint, this is a significant innovation. ECOPlanet products typically reduce carbon emissions by replacing a portion of energy- and emission-intensive clinker with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as fly ash, slag, or limestone fillers. These materials not only lower embodied carbon but can also enhance specific performance characteristics like sulfate resistance and workability. ECOPlanet Elephant Cement is designed for versatile use in plastering, block-making, and general concreting applications, making it a practical option for builders and contractors focused on sustainability.
Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa, emphasized that the expansion of the ECOPlanet portfolio responds to clear market signals. “The industry’s positive reception to ECOPlanet Unicem last year demonstrated a strong demand for greener building materials. We are proud to now offer ECOPlanet Elephant cement, further empowering our customers to make environmentally conscious choices without compromising on performance,” he said.
Gbenga Onimowo, Commercial Director at Lafarge Africa, reinforced the product’s role in facilitating an industry-wide shift. “ECOPlanet Elephant maintains the trusted quality of our products while enabling builders to take meaningful steps toward more sustainable construction. For us, building a better future means taking our customers and partners along that journey.”
The product is also aligned with international green building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, and EDGE, providing additional assurance to developers and construction firms aiming to meet sustainability targets or qualify for green finance incentives.
As part of Holcim’s global ECOPlanet line, this launch reinforces Lafarge Africa’s alignment with one of the construction industry’s most ambitious sustainability roadmaps. Holcim has committed to net-zero emissions and has launched similar products in multiple countries, helping to drive the shift toward more circular and carbon-efficient building practices worldwide.
Products like ECOPlanet Elephant Cement offer a realistic path toward greener infrastructure and urban development. Lafarge Africa’s continuous innovation in the cement industry not only shows environmental responsibility but also its leadership role in shaping the future of construction in Nigeria and beyond.
Source: worldcement.com