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Concrete

Concrete is a composite construction material made by mixing cement, aggregate (sand and stone) and water, which hardens through a chemical curing process into a durable, load-bearing solid. It is the most widely used man-made material in the world, forming the structural basis of buildings, bridges, roads, dams and other infrastructure. Concrete's properties, including compressive strength, durability and workability, depend on the quality and proportion of its raw materials, particularly cement, and on quality-control practices during batching, placing and curing. The industry encompasses ready-mix suppliers, precast producers and materials-testing services, with cement manufacturers such as AfriSam playing a central role in supplying and advising on formulations. In South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa, the concrete sector underpins housing delivery, commercial construction and public infrastructure programmes, making it closely tied to broader construction-sector activity and government capital-expenditure cycles. Demand for concrete tends to track construction-industry cycles, infrastructure spending and housing backlogs, and is sensitive to input costs such as cement, fuel and transport. Innovation in the sector has focused on improving strength-to-cost ratios, reducing the carbon footprint of cement content, and developing specialised products for applications such as high-rise construction, mining infrastructure and low-cost housing. Quality control is a persistent industry concern, given the structural and safety implications of substandard concrete, and producers increasingly emphasise testing protocols and technical support to contractors. The concrete industry also faces environmental scrutiny, since cement production is a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions, prompting research into alternative binders and supplementary cementitious materials. Historically, concrete's use expanded rapidly during the twentieth century alongside urbanisation and industrialisation, and it remains indispensable to modern construction despite growing calls for more sustainable building materials.

Concrete News


Amit Dawneerangen, Construction Materials Executive: Sales & Product Technical Executive at AfriSam
Afrisam Carbon Wise™ Brings Carbon Transparency To Concrete Specification
2nd November 2026

As pressure grows on the South African construction industry to demonstrate measurable progress on sustainability, AfriSam is taking low-carbon concrete a step further with its Carbon Wise™ range... 


Image of a site inspection by Chryso Southern Africa
Technical support helps improve construction project quality
11th September 2026

Technical field service support aimed at optimising concrete performance, finding solutions to challenges and reducing on-site risks is an essential part of construction and infrastructure... 


OLI Logo
OLI South Africa offers high level customer service and rapid stock delivery
26th August 2026

The world’s top selling manufacturer of electric and pneumatic vibrators OLI has the highest level of customer service, guaranteed by 20 OLI trading subsidiaries, over 36 local warehouses and three... 


Chryso Field Service Support Helps Projects Achieve Consistent Concrete Performance
Chryso Field Service Support Helps Projects Achieve Consistent Concrete Performance
25th August 2026

As construction and infrastructure projects become larger, more technically demanding and increasingly focused on quality, the role of field service support has evolved far beyond product delivery.... 


CONSISTENCY
Putzmeister underground concrete mixers designed to deliver efficient, reliable and consistent concrete transport and placement in underground mining operations.
DMC to showcase Blend mobile mixing plant technology
25th August 2026

Underground mining machines and equipment provider Drilling Mining & Construction (DMC) will showcase its innovative blend mobile mixing plant technology at Electra Mining Africa 2026,... 


AfriSam invests in mobile production capacity
31st July 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

Construction materials supplier AfriSam is investing in mobile aggregate production equipment and concrete batching plants as major infrastructure projects increasingly emerge beyond South Africa’s... 


Resemin Troidon underground drilling equipment engineered to deliver reliable, high performance drilling in demanding underground mining environments
Drilling Mining & Construction To Showcase Blend Mobile Mixing Plant Technology At Electra Mining Africa
27th July 2026

Drilling Mining & Construction (DMC) will showcase its innovative Blend Mobile Mixing Plant technology at Electra Mining Africa 2026, demonstrating how on-site mobile concrete production can... 


AfriSam is helping concrete product manufacturers tighten process control and reduce waste as margin pressures intensify across the sector
Afrisam Warns Of Margin Squeeze For Concrete Product Manufacturers As Cost Pressures Intensify
7th July 2026

Concrete product manufacturers are facing intensifying cost pressures and shrinking margins, driving a critical need for tighter process control, reduced waste and improved production efficiency.... 


Penetron Admix - Crystalline waterproofing and durability admixture
Penetron Admix - Crystalline waterproofing and durability admixture
24th April 2026

Powder-form crystalline admixture PENETRON ADMIX is a non-toxic, third generation admixture that is added to new concrete during batching. Once inside the concrete, it reduces concrete permeability... 


Patrick Flannigan, General Manager: Technical and Product Support Management (Concrete & Cement Division, Sub-Sahara & East Africa) at Chryso Southern Africa
Chryso leads African market with high-tech liquid crystalline waterproofing solution
20th February 2026

Chryso is setting a new benchmark in concrete waterproofing across Africa as the first and only supplier of a high performance liquid crystalline waterproofing admixture – Chryso® CWA Liquid 200.... 


Image of a cement mixer at a road construction site
Increased demand for construction materials fuelled by growing urbanisation
19th February 2026

It is estimated that by 2035 more than 70% of South Africa’s population will live in towns and cities. This rapid urbanisation and concomitant demand for affordable housing presents opportunities... 


Amit Dawneerangen, AfriSam Construction Materials Executive – Sales & Product Technical
The future of urbanisation in South Africa and AfriSam’s role in building it
4th February 2026

South Africa is entering a new era of urban growth. Already a predominantly urban country, it is estimated that by 2035 more than 70% of the population will live in towns and cities. This rapid... 


With a strong focus on innovation, Chryso’s R&D teams develop customised EnviroMix solutions using precise material analysis to deliver sustainable high performance concrete formulations
Chryso’s EnviroMix enables sustainable concrete without construction delays
4th July 2025

As the construction industry intensifies its focus on sustainability, a common challenge has been balancing lower carbon emissions with the need for fast-paced project delivery. Chryso is... 


Image of exposed aggregate surface finish
Exposed aggregate concrete finishes increase in popularity
12th June 2025

Offering both visual appeal and functional benefits, exposed aggregate concrete finishes are used across a wide range of applications, noted for their non-slip texture and attractive natural stone... 


An image of a construction site
Awards celebrate historic, modern innovation
6th June 2025 By: Nadine Ramdass

The 2025 Fulton Awards mark 45 years of celebrating concrete excellence and innovation in concrete within Southern Africa, with this year’s edition including a special retrospective category titled... 


Image of a staircase made of concrete
Showcasing the decorative appeal of concrete
16th May 2025

Technological advancements and a growing demand for buildings that are not only functional but also visually appealing have led to innovations that enhance the aesthetic impact of concrete. Chryso... 


Michelle Fick, Business Unit Development Manager for Concrete Aesthetics at Chryso Southern Africa
Chryso enhances the aesthetic impact of concrete
30th April 2025

With growing demand for buildings that are not only functional but also visually striking, Chryso is helping customers reshape the face of concrete. Driven by technological advancements and a... 


Aerial image of a water infrastructure construction site
Admixtures improve concrete performance in water-related applications
5th December 2024

Water-retaining structures such as water treatment plants and storage reservoirs strength and durability from concrete and admixtures can help enhance the performance of concrete, making it last... 


Michelle Fick, BU Development Manager Concrete Aesthetics at CHRYSO Southern Africa
Admixtures critical in durability of water-retaining structures
18th November 2024

Concrete performance and durability underpin the value to society of water-retaining structures such as water treatment plants and storage reservoirs – and admixtures make all the difference.... 


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