Colas South Africa is a company focused on innovative road surfacing products and technology. A subsidiary of the Bouygues Group, the international Colas Group, headquartered in France, is a world leader in the construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure, operating in 50 countries across five continents. Colas South Africa, established in 1928, specialises in the manufacture and application of bituminous binders and slurries for road surfacing.

Colas supplies the full range of bituminous binder products for road surfacing, including bitumen emulsions, penetration grade bitumen, cutback bitumens, modified binders and cold applied polymer-modified emulsions. Colas also mixes and lays conventional slurries and microsurfacing. 

The company has further developed Corub LT, which allows the application of crumb rubber modified binders at lower temperatures with reduced emission levels. 

“We also develop and supply a unique range of proprietary products for specific applications and our products carry the South African Bureau of Standards mark, where relevant,” says Colas South Africa, whose products and services are backed by full technical support.

The company offers on-site trouble shooting and advice, testing of binders, and slurry mix designs at its local laboratories. Continuity of supply during planned and unplanned refinery shutdown periods is achieved through its strategically placed storage facilities and logistics. 

Colas offers the full range of bitumen logistics and currently transports bitumen to several countries along the East and West Coasts of Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Logistical options include bulk road tankers, bitutainers, drummed bitumen and hot bulk shipments.

The company’s ISO 9001 certification means its customers are ensured of a consistent level of quality at all its production facilities. 

Colas South Africa has factories in Krugers-dorp, Durban and Cape Town, and distribution depots in Bloemfontein, East London, Port Elizabeth and Hectorspruit. Colas also has factories in Namibia, Zambia and Kenya, while Colas Group is present in more than 50 countries. Colas employs over 200 people in South Africa and more than 58 000 worldwide. 

“Our greatest asset is our people – a team of committed individuals, who are recognised as leaders in their fields. Each Colas branch employs local people who are encouraged to develop their markets in an autonomous manner.”

The company’s broad-based black economic- empowerment (BBBEE) Level 1 achievement 
has been accomplished by appointing champions to drive each area of the BBBEE scorecard and ensure that BBBEE plans are embraced and actioned throughout the organisation. Its BBBEE initiatives are aligned with the Construction Sector Code.

Being a Level 1 contributor to BBBEE in South Africa evidences the spirit in which Colas actively contributes to empowerment and transformation, with the organisation’s practices being designed to facilitate meaningful and lasting positive change, from inspiring leaders within its employment practices to supporting community initiatives through its skills development programmes.