The cement blend product, technically known as a Hydraulic Road Binder (HRB), is used in road construction works to stabilise road surfaces and has been developed in response to a request by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure/FILE
The cement blend product, technically known as a Hydraulic Road Binder (HRB), is used in road construction works to stabilise road surfaces and has been developed in response to a request by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
The development of the new HRB Product becomes the first Sub Sahara Africa Cement firm to manufacture such a specialist product.
Speaking when he received the product certification mark from the Kenya Bureau of Standards Managing Director, Charles Ongwae, Savannah Cement Managing Director Ronald Ndegwa, said the new Savannah Cement HRB product which will retail at a lower rate than conventional cement, is expected to contribute up to 30 percent approximate cost savings on the Sh25 billion national road construction budget.
Globally, HRB products are used in place of mainstream cement and lime products for soil stabilisation on loose road surfaces.
Soil stabilisation is a process that combines soil, cement and water to produce a hard, durable paving material that can be used for the foundation or base of road and airport pavements, parking and storage areas.
“This certification has been done to meet the European Standards as we work on getting a Kenyan Standard. This mark will go a long way in helping Savannah Market HRB in Kenya and other regions as well, thus helping us to fulfill our key objective as KeBS of facilitating trade within and out of the country,” Ongwae said.
Ahead of the product release to the market, Ndegwa disclosed that the Savannah HRB product is now undergoing intensive application and related tests using local road building materials.
To grow its local and regional market share Savannah Cement has lined up development projects valued at more than Sh26.3 billion which include an investment plan to establish a clinker manufacturing facility and commission the second grinding plant at its production complex, near Kitengela township.
The firm has already invested more than Sh8.7 billion to develop a cement manufacturing plants in sub-Sahara Africa with a 1.5 million tonnes annual production capacity.
