The lab is dedicated to the Moroccan and African construction markets and is intended to help LafargeHolcim Maroc to develop construction solutions adapted to the local constraints and characteristics.
It has an area of 4,000m² and will house 50 people including engineers, architects and technicians specialised in the construction market. As well as developing local construction solutions, LafargeHolcim intends developing partnerships with start-ups, universities and other higher education institutions to promote R&D, test new ideas and reinforce relationships with construction experts. There will also be specialised training targeted at people including clients and builders to enable them to adopt the solutions developed.
The Casablanca laboratory is LafargeHolcim’s eighth in the world after those in Algeria, Argentina, China, France, India, Malaysia and Mexico.
Examples of innovations adapted to local needs have included bagged concrete delivered on motorised tricycles able to go down alleyways that are too narrow for trucks. This was to enable the inhabitants of Dharavi, a slum in the heart of Mumbai, to build solid and watertight houses.
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