11 March 2014, Sweetcrude, Lagos – Dangote Cement Plc a frontline cement manufacturing company in Africa has announced its intention to launch for the first time in Africa the 52.5 grade of cement which is currently not in production anywhere in Nigeria and Africa.
This disclosure was made at the Corporate Headquarters of the Company by the Group Managing Director/CEO of the Company, Mr.Devakumar V.G Edwin to herald the commencement of the product.
“This is the first time that such grade of cement would be produced anywhere in Africa. This grade has an extremely high strength and it’s been used around the world for construction of bridges, roads and other heavy projects designed for heavy loads and traffic. Dangote would be selling this same very high grade product at the same price that its competitors are selling 32.5 grades, and this grade of cement has since been stopped by Dangote Cement when it moved to 42.5 and finally now it has gone a step further to 52.5, thereby becoming the first Company to produce this grade of cement in Africa.
This is a ground breaking event which now puts Nigeria on the map as a net exporter of cement, and all the plants would be producing this grade of cement from our Ibeche to Obajana plants we would commence production of the 52.5 grade of cement.”
The MD who was flanked by other Executive Directors of the Company stated that “With this grade of cement we are very sure that Nigeria would not have to import any kind of cement from now henceforth. And the era of building collapse appears to be over with this top grade of cement to be manufactured for the first time by Dangote cement.”
“It is Important to note that the cement would continue to receive indepth development and upgrading as we continue to produce, especially as we are currently exporting to Niger republic and Ghana as well as other neighboring countries.
It is also pertinent to educate the masses and let them understand the right mode of usage as regards proper mixtures of the cement and other technicalities involved in the usage of the 52.5 grade of cement as it is unprecedented in these parts.”
As part of measures to ensure the general public and end users are able to distinguish the various grades of cement and get to know exactly what they’re ` buying each bag would carry the grade of cement it contains and would have the standard organizations stamp on it.
The standard organization of Nigeria, SON, on its part is also poised to ensure that the public is not taking for a ride at any point. Hence the exact quality and grade of product would be branded on each cement bags.”
Mr. Edwin disclosed emphatically that 52.5 is a grade designed for higher load as the compressing strength is higher than the rest and in effect it is the most effective cement grade in comparison with the other lower grades.
“We have invested massively in technology for environment friendliness, and 32.5 grade of cement is totally taken out of our production plan as all we produce right now is 42.5 and 52.5.” he enthused.