East African Portland Cement Plc has officially launched its newest product named Green Triangle Cement that is aimed at minimizing the cement manufacturer’s carbon emissions.
Green Triangle Cement is standardized under the Kenya Bureau of Standards strength standardization category of 22.5 but the company has boosted its strength to over 27 to enable it to be applied in a wider variety of construction projects and phases. The launch was officiated by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry Hon. Moses Kuria.
In his address, Hon Kuria noted that the Government is committed to ensure that East African Portland Cement PLC is completely transformed and goes back to profitability adding that support to Portland from other state agencies is not a request but a requirement. He also announced plans by the Government to use Portland’s idle land to build Kenya’s first cargo exclusive airport to improve exportation of various commodities produced locally like avocados. He further cautioned the squatters that have invaded the land to start moving out before they are evicted. “The President has given me a target to raise the GDP contribution of manufacturing from 7% to 20% and create hundreds of thousands of jobs and we will not bow to a few thousand squatters that are trying to prevent this.
Speaking during the event, East African Portland Cement Board Chair Mr. Edwin Kinyua, EBS, noted that the company has prioritized relentless focus on its customers as a key strategic pillar for execution in the next five years. “The Board is closely monitoring and supporting bold initiatives by Management to enable useful, easy-to-interact customer innovations in line with the changing technological trends”, said Mr. Kinyua.
The Green Triangle Cement product, which is already in trade, will be applicable in preparation of mortar for brick and block laying as well as rendering, plastering and repair works and according to the firm’s Managing Director Eng. Oliver Kirubai, the product will retail at an introductory price of 550 for key distributors and will go along way in supporting the ongoing construction focus especially for the affordable housing program by the current administration. “Our customers have for a long time been asking us to introduce an alternative product in the market. This together with wide consultations and research advised the introduction of Green Triangle Cement which is more environmental friendly and will go at a lower cost than Blue Triangle Cement”, said Eng. Kirubai. He added that the firm would over time introduce other brands to ensure that it has a portfolio of at least five brands in the market to give its customers freedom to choose what cement to purchase for different applications.
East African Portland Cement PLC has been Kenya’s leading cement manufacturer since 1933, producing world class cement. By providing cement — the ‘lifeblood’ of the construction industry – EAPC PLC, which is also a State Corporation, has helped build Kenya from the ground up.