LafargeHolcim Bangladesh has introduced a new product Holcim Coastal Guard a salinity- and sulphate-resistant cement designed for structures exposed to coastal soil and groundwater conditions.
The product was unveiled by Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque, commercial and logistics director of the company, at a hotel in Khulna recently, according to a press release.
A technical seminar was held alongside the launch, where Dr Raquib Ahsan, professor at the Department of Civil Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), presented a keynote paper highlighting the importance of specialised cement solutions for sustainable construction in coastal regions.
Around 160 engineers, architects, academics and industry professionals attended the event.
The company said the product was developed through continuous customer engagement, research and in-depth analysis of the impact of salinity and sulphate on infrastructure. “Holcim Coastal Guard is one of our most innovative products for customers in Bangladesh’s coastal belt,” Hoque said.
He added that the new cement would enable customers to build homes and structures capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions.
The cement is engineered to minimise rapid deterioration caused by sulphate- and chloride-rich soils and groundwater in coastal areas. It also provides protection against chemical attacks in water and effluent treatment facilities.
Fakhruddin Md Khan, head of innovation and technical services at LafargeHolcim, explained the technical strengths of the product during the programme.
Local entrepreneur Biplob Shadhu, proprietor of Babul Enterprise in Khulna, expressed optimism that the product would help address long-standing concerns about salinity-related structural damage.
“With more than 20 years in the cement trade, I have witnessed many homeowners and builders see their investments damaged due to persistent salt and sulphate exposure,” he said.
Dr Md Habibur Rahman Sabuz, head of the Department of BECM at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), and SM Nazimuddin Payel, associate professor at Khulna University, also took part in the panel discussion.
The company stated that the product was developed using its in-house innovation and manufacturing expertise in collaboration with the Holcim Group Innovation Center in Lyon, France, applying Holcim’s Smart Blend Technology.
Recently, the cement maker also launched “Powercrete,” a high-performance product tailored for the ready-mix concrete (RMX) segment.
LafargeHolcim reported a 36 percent year-on-year increase in profit to Tk 1.20 billion in the third quarter through September last year, supported by strong sales of premium products and aggregates.
