JAMAICA: Carib Cement - Says Cement Is Better Than Asphalt

The Caribbean Cement Company Limited is seeking to improve take-up of cement for use in the construction of roads, with plans to double sales in this market this year.

While revenue earned to date, J$17 million, is relatively small from a limited number of projects done, Anthony Haynes, managing director of Carib Cement, said that with cement roads lasting twice as long as asphalt surfaces, project managers and the Government may soon see the advantage of switching to the sturdier material.

Demand is also increasing from private companies Haynes said. "The cement-based roads, which are more durable and have a substantially lower life-cycle cost, are being implemented at various companies' roadway entrances and parking lots in place of asphalt surfaces so as to lower maintenance costs."

Haynes, in response to Sunday Business queries, said that since 2011, approximately 1,845 metres of concrete pavement have been constructed locally. This translates to approximately J$17 million of cement at today's value. Some projects have also been done in the Eastern Caribbean and Carib Cement is also targeting improved sales in that region.

"We do not have the exact data for all the cement used in road construction in countries we export to. However, we are aware of several concrete roads that have been done in St Lucia, St Kitts and Belize," Haynes said.

He admitted that, generally, the cost of a concrete pavement when compared to an equivalent asphaltic surface can be approximately 10 per cent higher. "However, the life-cycle cost of concrete pavements over 20 years is significantly less than the life-cycle cost of an asphaltic pavement - as much as 200 per cent less," he said.

Haynes is projecting a doubling of revenue for the current year from the construction of roads."We would want to increase this business to a minimum of 2,000 metres of concrete roadway per annum. This would translate into an additional J$17 in revenue per annum."

He noted that "Last year, we've had a lot of buy-in from the private sector. For example, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund has installed concrete roads at one of their projects in Flankers, Montego Bay, and they have found it more economical to do so. We've even had cinema owners in Kingston who, instead of using asphalt pavements, are making plans to use concrete."

BENEFITS OF CONCRETE

Carib Cement said the benefits of concrete roadways include resistance to erosion from torrential rains and a longer pavement life, "more than three times that of an asphalt roadway."

In research material provided, Carib Cement said that "concrete roads are also more environmentally friendly. Whereas asphalt roads produce more heat and harmful greenhouse gases, and tend to leach into limestone, cement-based roadways do not. Also, at the end of the concrete road's life cycle, its components can be recycled and used to make aggregate. Concrete roads have a reduced urban heat effect."

It added that "concrete's light-textured nature also allows for less petroleum usage since it requires about 30 per cent less power to illuminate the roadways with adequate street lighting. Other benefits include longer tyre life and less fuel usage for drivers, as well as a shorter and safer braking distance."