AfriSam is helping to support customers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint with its 'slagment', which is expected to see an increasing rise in popularity following the new carbon tax in South Africa, which comes into force in June 2019. AfriSam's dedicated slagment plant in Vanderbijlpark has the capacity to produce over 0.8Mta of slagment, along with over 0.2Mt of blended cementitious products.

For over half a century, AfriSam has produced its trade-named 'slagment' from ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS), according to AfriSam Cementitious Executive, Hannes Meyer. "We have used this latent hydraulic binder in an extensive range of concrete applications, including major structures such as dams, bridges and roads," says Mr Meyer. "Indeed, it is only very specific and limited applications that today demand our cement without added slag.

"However, there is now an added consideration in business today, as companies anticipate the impact of the new carbon tax," he says. "Slagment assumes a significance here too, as it reduces the amount of clinker in concrete, and cutting the energy consumed and carbon emitted in its manufacture. The use of slagment therefore presents not just a technical solution but an opportunity to achieve higher environmental standards."

AfriSam's slagment is likely to be in higher demand, because of its many positive environmental benefits, including reducing the thermal heat gradient generated when pouring concrete. This reduces the likelihood of micro-cracking, which may weaken the structure's strength. Slagment can also alter the colour of concrete to near-white by replacing 50 to 70 per cent of the concrete, giving the concrete a better appearance. In addition, it produces a smoother, more defect-free surface, according to the company.