LafargeHolcim delivers Algeria concrete road solution

In Algeria, LafargeHolcim has introduced roller compacted concrete (RCC) for the first time in the country to renovate the RN45 road, with reduced costs, construction time and increased durability - *Nicolas Miravalls. Heavy traffic on a road stretch in northern Algeria has resulted in the need for rebuilding of the link, making it better able to cope with demand. In Algeria’s Msila region, the RN 45 road carries over 700 heavy load trucks/day, 365 days/year and required a major re-construction. In 2017, La
May 14, 2018 Read time: 3 mins
Conventional paving and compaction equipment was used for the application of the RCC road surface
In Algeria, LafargeHolcim has introduced roller compacted concrete (RCC) for the first time in the country to renovate the RN45 road, with reduced costs, construction time and increased durability - *Nicolas Miravalls


Heavy traffic on a road stretch in northern Algeria has resulted in the need for rebuilding of the link, making it better able to cope with demand. In Algeria’s Msila region, the RN 45 road carries over 700 heavy load trucks/day, 365 days/year and required a major re-construction. In 2017, LafargeHolcim partnered with 2747 RAZEL international contracting and the Algerian road authorities to tackle the problem by introducing roller compacted concrete (1074 RCC) to the country for the first time. The solution, based on local material capabilities as a primary economic parameter, has been designed by 2643 EGIS, a leading international design firm.

Applied on a 3.6km portion and designed to support heavy traffic with low maintenance, the selected structure is a 250mm RCC layer set in-between a 150mm natural gravel sub-base and a bituminous surface dressing using bituminous double chip sealing coating. This innovative approach for Algeria allowed the reduction in construction costs by about 25% compared to conventional methods. It has also reduced construction time by 40%, a key benefit given the heavy industrial traffic. Moreover, this new structure will increase the durability of the road stretch, which is calculated to last for 15-20 years. Following a global sustainable agenda from LafargeHolcim, this solution uses local materials and reduced the need for transporting materials by road and associated carbon emissions or road networks demolition. To develop this RCC solution, LafargeHolcim used its in-house specialists in road pavement from its R&D centre based in Lyon, France, as well as road experts from Algeria and continental Europe. The team asse
ssed the best solutions and products for the specific needs of the RN 45 project.

This project in Algeria is a great example of a growing interest towards a more rational and sustainable road construction sector. LafargeHolcim and its partners decided to use all the capabilities of a world leader to help build better roads.

This Algerian project is one aspect of how LafargeHolcim is developing solutions addressing key concerns of road construction: overcost, shortage of materials, quality issues and durability. Similar approaches to Algeria are driven in all regions from Azerbaijan and Argentina to Egypt, the Philippines and Zimbabwe.


Bringing this to life requires a wide range of integrated solutions and services available locally. This includes traditional products such as road binders, both natural and recycled aggregates, specialty concretes, and specific offers for soil stabilisation, land remediation, or hot mix asphalts solutions, to name a few.

LafargeHolcim is committed to help road players analyse and select road solutions. Materials engineering is not often considered at project design stage and certainly not enough by decision-makers. Typically, resource-efficient solutions for a road network would save 0.2-0.4% of a country’s GDP, each year.

Moreover, materials play an important role in the carbon emissions behaviour over a project’s lifetime. Carbon reduction impact can go up to 50%, according to local sourcing options, an encouraging feature when most international communities are focused on financing low carbon solutions.

Concrete milling, paving & compaction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • The role of anti-stripping agents in asphalt performance
    November 25, 2016
    Anti-stripping agents are often overlooked when boosting the performance of asphalt, according to Italian road chemicals producer Iterchimica
    Read More
  • New developments are pushing the pace of progress in asphalt paving
    January 4, 2013
    New developments will broaden the asphalt paving market - Mike Woof reports. A new approach to materials could help address rising bitumen costs. Increased use of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in road construction can cut a major chunk from paving costs, with an array of technologies now available. In the US, RAP is one of the most widely recycled materials and current techniques allow roads built with this material to perform well for all traffic conditions. Some European countries are also making widesp
    Read More
  • Strong attendance points to a successful bauma China show
    December 17, 2014
    Even heavy rain showers on the first day of the bauma China exhibition in Shanghai did not dissuade the crowds packing the outside exhibition areas - Mike Woof writes Those firms exhibiting at bauma China 2014 in Shanghai benefited from a strong show that attracted a record attendance of 191,000, an increase of 6% over the 2012 event. A wide array of new equipment was on show from the 3,104 firms exhibiting, an increase of 14% from 2012. There was a strong focus on technology and new engines required for
    Read More
  • Repairing concrete roads using new technology
    July 28, 2015
    In the US state of Arkansas, a key stretch of concrete roads has been improved, allowing it to cope with current traffic volumes.
    Read More

Highlighted Content