AfriSam is the long-standing leader of sustainable construction materials manufacturing in South Africa, having reduced its carbon emissions by 33% since 1990, leading the pack in South Africa to decarbonise cement manufacturing. The cement conglomerate emphasises its sustainability push to ‘green’ the sector at several levels at the same time, positioning it as a pioneer in ecologically responsible cement, aggregate, and concrete manufacture in southern Africa.
The corporation formed its environmental department in 1992 and, two years later, produced an environmental policy, a first in the sector. Continuous investment in research and development has enabled AfriSam to enhance processes, technology, and products with the objective of optimising energy and lowering emissions across the whole product line. The investment has also empowered it to pioneer and sustain numerous initiatives towards a greener planet across all its business units. All business units actively measure and manage their environmental impact while continuing to produce high-performance products with low carbon footprints.
Apart from the introduction of green cement in 2000, the development of composite cement and ongoing energy-efficiency initiatives at its cement plants have all contributed to the company’s carbon footprint reduction over the last two decades, earning it the Mail and Guardian’s Greening the Future award in 2012.
AfriSam is committed to using energy intelligently to safeguard scarce and restricted resources for a sustainable future as part of its commitment to energy reduction. The firm is working to reduce its usage of thermal and electrical energy while boosting its use of renewable energy. Among the initiatives undertaken is the installation of energy-efficient lighting across the company’s cement, ready-mix, and aggregate quarry operations.
Other sustainability initiatives include waste management, water management, and biodiversity /rehabilitation. AfriSam continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and sets the standard for conserving the earth for future generations.