Nigeria-based cement manufacturer unveils LNG-powered fleet
Lafarge Africa Plc, Sub-Saharan Africa building solutions company and member of Holcim, reaffirms their commitment towards affordable and clean energy through the launch of a new fleet of 52 LNG-fueled trucks. The implementation of the NGVs in partnership with Ecologique is an important milestone in the company’s logistics strategy of moving towards a greener and sustainable transportation, and will promote a safer environment.
“Lafarge Africa is fully aligned with our group’s vision of building progress for people and the planet, and the deployment of the natural gas trucks further takes the organization closer to the attainment of a net zero carbon emission ambition and five other Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on land) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the goals),” said the Country Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa Plc, Khaled El Dokani, during the launch at Lafarge’s Ewekoro plant.
“This initiative is enabling sustainable distribution that is smarter and eco-friendly, and it is our assurance that our products will reach the end-users in a safer manner. This is a game changer to our bottom line and entire operation, as our focus is to achieve a 28% reduction in overall operating cost as well as significant reduction in air pollution (exhaust gases) among others,” commented the Chief Financial Officer, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi.
The natural gas industry has continued to grow and offer businesses more opportunities to save energy and build an eco-friendlier operations. Moreover, trucks fueled by natural gas are half as noisy as the equivalent diesel-fueled vehicles consequently, allowing truck traffic at certain times of the day into places where it is prohibited due to noise pollution.
For Lafarge, the use of LNG changes the dynamics of the mode of operations of organizations that care for the welfare of their operating environment. Thus, the company’s ambition is to deploy additional natural gas trucks in the coming months while also exploring other sustainable transportation initiatives.
