Lafarge Malaysia Bhd is set to build a new construction development laboratory to develop products and solutions that will aid Malaysia’s growing cement industry.
Bradley Mulroney, the company’s CEO, told press that one of Malaysia’s biggest challenges is offering affordable housing for the younger generations, especially in urban areas. He warned that cheap building products are not a solution, and confirmed that part of the new laboratory’s concern will be to develop products that can bring down construction costs while maintaining product quality. “We will undertake a lot of experiments and testings on different types of industrialised building systems,” he said.
Lafarge has recently celebrated 60 years in Malaysia. Mr Mulroney said that the company aims to maintain its capacity to provide products for upcoming projects in Malaysia, including the high progile Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 and Mass Rapid Transit.
Lafarge estimates that Malaysia’s population will hit 35 million by 2020, of which 70% will be in urban areas. Cement demand is expected to grow by 4 – 5% pa. At present, Lafarge Malaysia has four cement plants in the country.
Edited from various sources by Katherine Guenioui