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 giant emphasises its sustainability drive towards ‘greening’ the industry at several levels simultaneously, making it a leader in environmentally responsible cement, aggregate, and concrete manufacturing in southern Africa.
The company established its environmental department in 1992 and developed an environmental policy two years later, a first in the industry. Continuous investment in research and development has enabled AfriSam to improve processes, technology, and products with the goal of energy optimisation and emission reduction encompassing the complete range of products. The investment has also empowered it to pioneer and sustain numerous initiatives toward 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 its green cement product range in 2000, the development of composite cement to ongoing energy-efficiency initiatives at its cement plants has contributed to reducing its carbon footprint over the past 20 years, earning it the Mail and Guardian’s Greening the Future accolade in 2012.
In its contribution to energy reduction, AfriSam is committed to intentionally utilising energy to ensure that scarce and limited resources are protected for a sustainable future. The company focuses on reducing its consumption of thermal and electrical energy while simultaneously increasing its use of renewable energy. One of the efforts made includes the installation of energy-efficient lighting across the company’s cement, ready-mix, and aggregate quarry facilities.
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.