In South Africa’s emerging economy and, particularly, within the context of the National Infrastructure Plan, local clinker and cement producers have value to add by working with government to support the R4-trillion 15-year project, states concrete and cement manufacturer Sephaku Cement.

CEO Pieter Fourie notes that the plan can go a long way towards meeting the country’s developmental needs.

“As a R16-billion industry, we have a role to play beyond being just a product provider. Cement companies can contribute to knowledge of how build programmes can achieve higher levels of economy and efficiency,” he says, adding that the company has a part to play on the ground to help get the 18 strategic integrated projects (Sips) on their feet.

“With an infrastructure book that contains over 645 infrastructure projects across the country, one of the goals should be to create the most suitable concrete – where cement input prices are not the dominant factor. “Local cement and clinker producers could also play a more active role in residential infrastructure development,” Fourie explains.

He points out that it is too early to assess the extent of cement volumes that will be needed for the various infrastructure projects; however, it is clear that significant volumes will be required.

“Depending on time and execution, together with the state of growth in the residential market, the plan is likely to put the cement industry at near full capacity levels, particularly if you consider the knock-on effect in development and the related infrastructure build that will be enabled through the 18 Sips,” he says.

Fourie notes that there is an opportunity for cement producers to work with contractor teams on a technical basis to get their concrete solutions right, rather than just limiting interaction to the sales cycle.

“Participation in the Presi- dential Infrastructure Coordin-ating Commission-led programme, for example, offers the cement and concrete industry an opportunity to improve the current levels of customer integration.

“From this perspective, cement producers need to integrate with civil engineers and construction companies to ensure that they are achieving the most advanced concrete solution for their respective applications,” he says.

Fourie adds that infrastructure development in South Africa has the potential to open interesting dimensions of new cement use.

“Cement producers can work more closely with the many stakeholders in the country’s build value chain, marrying civil design and architecture in a way that forges innovation.

“There are, for example, various new and alternative methods of constructing housing that can be considered. “Similarly, there is no doubt that concrete should be the preferred road building material owing to its low maintenance, durability, lifetime cost and local content,” he states, concluding that there is more opportunity than risk in being an active participant in the National Infrastructure Plan.