LafargeHolcim helps build Egypt’s new capital and highest tower in Africa
Published by Lucy Stewardson,
Editorial Assistant
World Cement,
LafargeHolcim is to play a key role in building Egypt’s new capital, which is currently under construction 45 km outside of Cairo. The city is to become the country’s new administrative and financial capital, with around 5 million inhabitants.
LafargeHolcim has supported several of its landmark projects since the beginning of construction works, with a total contract value of CHF50 million. Among the buildings using the company’s materials is the so-called Iconic Tower, which is set to become the highest tower in Africa with a height of 385 m, when it is completed by the end of 2020.
LafargeHolcim is to provide speciality high-quality solutions for several landmark buildings. For the Iconic Tower, LafargeHolcim is using an innovative and sustainable cement solution, with higher slag contents, to meet the contractor’s specifications. The solution is unique to the Egyptian market and provides an extended lifetime of more than 100 years. This is thanks to its higher durability and strength, which are essential for a structure of size and weight.
The company was the exclusive cement supplier for the tower’s base construction work. In February 2019, it poured concrete nonstop for 38 hours, the country’s longest ever concrete pour. The company’s production and logistics capabilities enabled it to supply large quantities of cement in a short time, significantly cutting the time needed for the pour.
The company is also providing concrete solutions for the Egyptian Cabinet building, which will be part of the government district of the new city and will include the parliament, ministries, and other state institutions. These lightweight solutions deliver adequate strength and density values and minimise dead loads on the building. LafargeHolcim is the only building materials company in Egypt that offers this type of solution. In addition, the company is supplying further solutions for several other ministry buildings.
In order to ensure that materials are delivered reliably and on time, a new concrete batching plant has been installed onsite. With an expected production capacity of 300 000 m3, another one is scheduled to open by the end of 1Q19. The company is also taking the lead in quality control, with its state-of-the-art laboratory. Here, it can test both its own solutions and the construction materials provided by other suppliers.
LafargeHolcim is engaged in several other landmark projects in Egypt that support the country’s growth agenda. These include two new metro lines in Cairo, the new Suez Canal tunnels, and several port extensions.
“We are delightedto contribute to Egypt’s new state-of-the-art capital,” said Miljan Gutovic, Region Head of Middle East Africa for LafargeHolcim. “With these important project wins we continue LafargeHolcim’s successful history of supporting large-scale construction projects across Egypt. These projects improve millions of lives by providing better infrastructure and housing. We are confident that we will be able to provide further value-adding solutions for other landmark projects in the country.”
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/africa-middle-east/20032019/lafargeholcim-helps-build-egypts-new-capital-and-highest-tower-in-africa/
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