IIT-Madras, Lafarge to launch cement research project

Chennai: The first joint project by French cement major Lafarge
Group's research arm and the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras
(IIT-M) is expected to kick start soon, an official said here on
Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Revindra Gettu, professor at IIT-M's Department
of Civil Engineering, said the research project will test the
durability of concrete as a building material in different climatic
conditions.

The cement major's research arm, Lafarge Research Centre, and IIT-M
last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding, under which the IIT's
civil engineering department set up a laboratory to carry out joint
research programmes.

Lafarge Research Centre has funded the laboratory to the tune of
Rs.1.5 crore over a period of three years.

According to Gettu, the tests will be conducted on concrete in
different parts of India to identify the carbonation and its effects
on concrete in different atmospheric conditions.

"Lafarge aims to improve the performance of concrete to address
sustainable construction and global warming challenges. This is done
through cutting-edge scientific research and forming partnerships with
other institutes and organizations," said Pascal Casanova, head of
Lafarge Group's Research and Development.

The French group has four cement plants in India - two in
Chhattisgarh, and one grinding plant each in Jharkhand and West
Bengal. Lafarge has also set up a gypsum plasterboard plant at
Khushkhera in Rajasthan. IANS