Dangote Cement, now known as Dangote 3X Cement, has stabilised its lead in local production by introducing42.5R cement grade.The calibration 42.5R means faster and stronger solidity of cement mix.
The most common grade is 32.5R.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has given approval to the company to produce the 42.5 grade.
Dangote 3X CementGroup Managing Director,Devakumar Edwin,reiterated the company’s commitment to safety rather than profit maximisation.
Building collapse destroys lives and property and causes huge economic loss, he said, adding that poor quality cement is one of the reasons most buildings collapse.
The company has stopped the production of the 32.5 lower cement grade.
“We are focusing heavily on 42.5 cement grade because we believe that as a responsible organisation, human life is more precious than making profit,” Edwin stressed.
“The introduction of Dangote 42.5, 3X cement, is not to dominate the cement industry but to follow the acceptable global trend, which has also been adopted by West African countries like Ghana, where the focus is shifting towards the 42.5 cement grade as the preferred quality of cement for building and construction activities.”
Dangote3X Cement is Nigeria’s largest cement company by market value and biggestproducerof the commodity in sub Sahara Africa.
Its audited financial statement for year ended December 2013 posted on the website of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that its revenue grew by 29.4 per cent to N386.17 billion in 2013 from N298.45 billion in 2012.
Profit before tax climbed by 40 per cent to N190.76 billion, against N135.64 billion the previous year.
Profit after tax rose by 38.73 per cent to N201.19 billion from N145.02 billion.
SON inspectedDangote’s facilities nationwide and found they have been upgraded to produce 42.5R.
This was disclosed by AdeoyeOnipede, who represented SON Director General, Joseph Odumodu, at the pre-media launch of the new product in Lagos.
The 42.5 comes in a new packaging but sells at the same price of N22,500per 50kg bag as 32.5, causing a stir in the market where others still sell the 32.5 grade.
Onipede commended the move by Dangote3X Cement to increase its value proposition to Nigerians with the new product and urged the company to keep abiding by the strictest manufacturing standards.
Dangote3X Cement Chief Marketing Officer,OareOjeikere, said 42.5grade is 30 per cent stronger than 32.5 grade, and is designed according to the specification of block makers.
He expressed the hope that a higher grade cement will help to end building collapse and urged Nigeria to join other countries to move away from 32.5 cement.
3X stands for “Xtra strength; “Xtra life and Xtra yield”.
Ojeikere said because of 3X’s higher strength characteristics, 42.5 grade gives higher yield than 32.5 where strength is not a crucial factor.
Joseph Makoju, Honorary Adviser to Dangote Group President, AlikoDangote, disclosed that in 2002 local production of cement was less than two million tonnes, but the company and other producers have raised the figure.
Association of Housing Corporation of Nigeria Chairman, ToyeEniola, lamentedthe loss of lives and destruction of buildings, and pledged that the association will collaborate with the company to ensure that the new product gets patronage in order to stem the tide.
Brick Molders Association President, Abel Kayode, said the over three million members of the association are very excited about the 42.5 grade.
“We have been looking for a product like 3X and we believe this cement will help us carry out activities in the most efficient and affordable manner.
“This innovation will go a long way in redefining the market and curbingbuilding collapse in the country,” he added.
