Lafarge is the world leader in building materials; Lafarge extracts resources from the heart of the earth to make materials to bring to the heart of life. Present in every continent and in 70 countries, with 71,000 employees, Lafarge started its operations in France in 1833. In 2008, Lafarge acquires Orascom Cement, the leader in the Middle East and The Mediterranean Basin.

At a global level, Lafarge is:

Number 1 in Cement: As a cement manufacturer Lafarge produces a wide range of cements, hydraulic binders and limes for construction, renovation and public works.

• Number 1 in Aggregates: As the world leader in aggregates, Lafarge relies on its expertise and market knowledge to develop its business.
• Number 2 in Concrete: As the pioneering leader in concrete research and innovation, Lafarge offers a very diverse range of products, from conventional concretes to ultra-high performance concretes.
• Number 3 in Gypsum:  The Gypsum Business primarily produces plasterboard for construction, renovation and interior decoration.

The Group controls a unique portfolio of businesses where Cement constitutes 52%, Aggregates and concrete 38%, and Gypsum 10%.

Lafarge has been committed to sustainable development for many years, pursuing a strategy that combines industrial know-how with performance, value creation, respect for employees and local cultures, environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources and energy. Lafarge is the only company in the construction materials sector to be listed in the 2007 ‘Global 100: Most Sustainable Corporations in the World’.