Lafarge Canada Drives Decarbonization by Fully Converting Nova Scotia Cement Plant Production to Greener Portfolio

December 19, 2022

Lafarge Canada has been consistently advancing in their journey to Net-Zero and the largest provider of sustainable and innovative building solutions in Canada is proud to announce the full transformation of the Brookfield Cement Plant’s cement production in Nova Scotia to a greener portfolio. From now on, the site’s production of general-use cement ends and will shift to reduced carbon portland limestone cement – branded as OneCem – the company’s eco-efficient alternative. Brookfield is Lafarge’s third cement plant to be converted in 2022 and the first Atlantic Market plant to convert – the others being the Bath Cement Plant (ON) in June and the Richmond Cement Plant (BC) earlier this year, in March.

OneCem is a sustainable product that presents up to 10% lower CO2 emissions while providing the same performance and durability. “We have been steadily moving the needle forward when it comes to cement decarbonization and we will continue to honor our commitment to progressing our greener portfolio in Eastern Canada over the coming years. For us at Lafarge Canada, sustainability and profitability go together – our main goal is to keep partnering with our customers to advance sustainable construction and, at the same time, provide innovative world-class products,” commented Andrew Stewart, Vice President, Cement, Lafarge Canada (East).

According to Robert Cumming, Head of Sustainability & Public Affairs, Lafarge Canada (East), “Over the last four years, we avoided more than 140,000 tonnes of CO2 by converting GU cement to OneCem in our plants across Canada – the equivalent to taking 42,891 cars off the road, which would have consumed 59,640,854 liters of gasoline. With the recent cement production conversion of the Brookfield Plant, the Bath Plant in June, and Richmond Plant in March, these numbers will continue to grow.”

“We are excited to take our plant to the next level of decarbonization. Our teams on the ground have been successfully showcasing our company’s values of passion, collaboration, and grit, and we couldn’t be prouder. This is a very important milestone in our Net-Zero journey in Nova Scotia and in Canada as a whole,” affirmed Travis Smith, Plant Manager, of Brookfield Cement Plant.

The portland limestone cement, OneCem, contributes to lowering the industry’s carbon footprint not only during the manufacturing process – while cement may be as little as 11% of a concrete mix, it can also account for more than 80% of all energy required to produce concrete. Across Canada, Lafarge has produced over 6 million metric tonnes of OneCem since 2011, and users can be confident in its performance while reducing the carbon footprint in the built environment and community.

Quick Facts

• Over the last four years, Lafarge Canada saved more than 140,000 tonnes of CO2 by converting GU cement to OneCem in our plants across Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia – the equivalent of taking 42,891 cars off the road, which would have consumed 59,640,854 liters of gasoline. With the recent conversion of the Bath Plant’s GU production to OneCem, these numbers will continue to grow.
• While cement typically represents only 11% of a concrete mix, it can account for more than 80% of all energy required to produce concrete.
• Across Canada, Lafarge has produced over 6 million metric tonnes of OneCem since 2011, and users can be confident in its performance whilst reducing the carbon footprint in the built environment and community.

About Lafarge Canada Inc.

Lafarge is Canada’s largest provider of sustainable and innovative building solutions including Aggregates, Cement, Ready Mix and Precast Concrete, Asphalt and Paving, and Road and Civil Construction. With over 6,900 employees and 400 sites across the country, we provide green products to build the infrastructure and communities where Canadians live and work.

As a member of the Holcim Group, our purpose is to build progress for people and the planet.