Sustainable Development

Cement 

Objectives

To provide customers with product packaging which combines ease of use with reduced environmental impact.

Summary

To optimize its service to customers, Lafarge modified the packaging of its products to provide easier-to-use plastic packaging.

For 6 months, environmental consultancy BASF analyzed all factors affecting the lifecycle of bagged cement - from manufacture to disposal. This independent study concluded that the carbon footprint of plastic packaging is lower than that of traditional packaging.

Although there is a slight increase in production cost of the plastic bag, this is compensated by demand from customers who want the benefits from this type of modern and long-lasting packaging.

Results

The results were very positive:

• Cement in plastic bags is 39% more environmentally-friendly than other solutions.
• 14% less energy is required throughout the lifecycle of the plastic. Why is this? With plastic bags, there is less waste than with traditional bags.
• Its carbon footprint is also 45% less throughout the product's lifecycle as plastic is more resistant to perforation, which avoids losses and waste of the product on suppliers' premises and building sites.
• The reduction in product losses also leads to a fall of 81% in waste water and 52% in solid waste throughout the lifecycle.

Prospects

Possibilities for recycling plastic bags after use are being studied.

People concerned

• the packaged products marketing director for the Cement business line in the United Kingdom,
• customers.