Page 1
2008
FACTS&
FIGURES
Page 2
2008 STANDS OUT DUE TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE GrOUP'S BUSI-
NESS IN SEVErAL EMErGING MArKETS, SUCH AS THE MIDDLE
EAST, THE MEDITErrANEAN BASIN AND INDIA. The acquisition
of Orascom Cement, the leader in cement in the Middle East,
and L&T Concrete Ltd., the Indian number one in ready-mix con-
crete, as well as the launch of new plants, have helped to rein-
force the Group's presence overseas.
The diversification and balance of its installations give Lafarge
the best geographical portfolio in its sector. 2008 was also a
year for undertaking a safety policy, a strategic priority within
the Group, notably with the implementation of new standards
and organisation of the “Safety Month” in June, an operation that
involved the mobilisation of all employees within the Group. In
October, due to its expertise and capacity for innovation, Lafarge
contributed to the success of Solid States, an international con-
ference organised by the University of Colombia in New York
on the future of town planning and concrete architecture. These
few examples demonstrate Lafarge’s intention to be both more
successful and responsive to a changing world.
UNITED ArAB EMIrATES
Construction of the Dubai Underground system.
In 2008, the Group continued
to roll out its business in markets with
high growth potential
Page 3
Growth based on values respecting
both people and culture
IN ASIA, THE MIDDLE EAST, EASTErN EUrOPE
AND AFrICA, LAFArGE HAS STrENGTHENED ITS
POSITION IN EMErGING MArKETS. This geo-
graphical diversity enables it to support rapid develop-
ment of these countries, where there are huge require-
ments for infrastructure and accommodation. The
responsible and sustainable growth of the
Group is based on values it shares with all
employees across the world: the same stan-
dards of quality, safety requirements, per-
sonal development and training for all
employees and respect for the environment.
In 2008, Lafarge rolled out the Personal
Development Plan to all of its employees.
12,000
is the number
of training hours
held at the new
Lafarge training
centre, which opened
in Cairo in May 2008.
EGYPT
In a Lafarge cement plant in Cairo.
Page 4
Innovating to push back the boundaries
of construction
IN 2008 THE GrOUP CONTINUED TO DEVELOP
ITS VALUE-ADDED PrODUCTS ACrOSS ITS DIF-
FErENT MArKETS. Sales of these products have
increasingly contributed to the Group’s turnover all year
long. Value-added concrete products now rep-
resent a quarter of the turnover of this busi-
ness. Whether decorative, self-placing, quick
setting or dedicated to large surfaces, they
open up new horizons for architects. In the
Gypsum business, new watertight plaster-
board for wet areas, launched in eight coun-
tries last year, is also experiencing increasing
success. This ability to innovate is support-
ed by significant resources engaged in R&D,
an activity that occupies more than 500
researchers of the Group worldwide. Lafarge,
by constantly proposing solutions that
respect the environment and people, encour-
ages debate about the future of the con-
struction industry on a daily basis.
56%
of the Group’s R&D
budget meets
sustainable
development criteria.
SPAIN
Oviedo Convention and Exh bition Center
by architect Santiago Calatrava.
Page 5
A commitment
to sustainable development
THE GrOUP HAS CONTINUED ITS EFFOrTS TO
rEDUCE ITS ENVIrONMENTAL FOOTPrINT. In par-
ticular, it has increased the use of alternative fuel sources
and recycled materials in its industrial processes. It has
also redoubled its efforts in terms of rehabili-
tating quarries and sites at the end of their use-
ful lives. Under the aegis of the WBCSD (1), the
Groupisadrivingforceintwoprograms:CSI(2)
and EEB (3). The objective of the latter is to pro-
mote the design of buildings that generate as
much energy as they consume. Furthermore,
everywherethatitisestablished,theGrouppays
particularattentiontolocalcommunitiesthrough
health protection and local economic develop-
mentactivities.Theseinitiativeswererecognised
in 2008: for the fifth consecutive year, Lafarge
figures in the list of the “Global 100 most sus-
tainable corporations”.
10%
is the target met,
2 years ahead
of schedule, of cutting
in CO2 absolute gross
emissions per ton
of cement produced
by the Group in
industrialized countries.
MOrOCCO
Rehabilitated quarry at Bouskoura.
1. World Business Council for
Sustainable Development.
2. Cement Sustainability Initiative.
3. Energy Efficiency in Buildings.
Page 6
Working tirelessly to ensure safety
ArOUND 80 COUNTrIES, 3,000 SITES AND 84,000
EMPLOYEES INVOLVED. Due to its extraordinary scale,
the first “Safety Month”, organised last June, demonstrated
Lafarge’s desired intention to have “zero accident”. This
mobilisation operation will take place every
year from now on. Quite apart from this pub-
licity aspect, health and safety issues are more
than ever a daily concern within the Group.
Several standards and recommendations on
safety were implemented last year, relating
to working at height, personal protective
equipment and consignment procedures.
Since 2006, the standards have gradually been
extended to the Group’s subcontractors. All
managers are personally involved in the oper-
ational implementation of these regulations.
1.57
is the Group’s
frequency rate* in the
workplace in 2008 (as
against 2.57 in 2006).
* Number of lost time accidents in the
workplace, per million hours worked
by Group employees.
MALAYSIA
A team from the Rawang cement plant
being trained in safety.
Page 7
A multipurpose and infinitely recyclable
material, gypsum plasterboard enhances
building aesthetics and convenience.
Its insulating and hydrometric qualities
make it a high added value material
for interior layout.
N°3 WORLDWIDE
N°1 WORLDWIDE
€1.5 billion in sales,
8,000 employees,
76 production sites,
in 29 countries.
€10.9 billion in sales,
50,000 employees,
166 production sites
in 50 countries.
Cement is a universal material.
It is a hydraulic binder, an essential sort
of glue in the manufacture of concrete.
Cement Business
Gypsum Business
MOrOCCO
Bouskoura cement plant.
€6.6 billion in sales,
26,000 employees,
1,945 production sites
in 40 countries.
N°2 WORLDWIDE
Aggregates & Concrete Business
A high-tech material meeting the needs of
sustainable development, concrete can be
given specific qualities depending on its usage
(resistance to compression, and pollution,
installation, flexibility, etc).
Lafarge 2008
in figures
€19 billion in sales
84,000 employees
in 79 countries
2,200 production sites
Page 8
Lafarge
61, rue des Belles-Feuilles – BP 40
75782 Paris Cedex 16 – France
Phone: +33 1 44 34 11 11
Group Communications
Lafarge
Phone: +33 1 44 34 94 20
www.lafarge.com
Highlights
2008
FACTS&
FIGURES
A multipurpose and infinitely recyclable
material, gypsum plasterboard enhances
building aesthetics and convenience.
Its insulating and hydrometric qualities
make it a high added value material
for interior layout.
N°3 WORLDWIDE
N°1 WORLDWIDE
2008 STANDS OUT DUE TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE GrOUP'S BUSI-
NESS IN SEVErAL EMErGING MArKETS, SUCH AS THE MIDDLE
EAST, THE MEDITErrANEAN BASIN AND INDIA. The acquisition
of Orascom Cement, the leader in cement in the Middle East,
and L&T Concrete Ltd., the Indian number one in ready-mix con-
crete, as well as the launch of new plants, have helped to rein-
force the Group's presence overseas.
The diversification and balance of its installations give Lafarge
the best geographical portfolio in its sector. 2008 was also a
year for undertaking a safety policy, a strategic priority within
the Group, notably with the implementation of new standards
and organisation of the “Safety Month” in June, an operation that
involved the mobilisation of all employees within the Group. In
October, due to its expertise and capacity for innovation, Lafarge
contributed to the success of Solid States, an international con-
ference organised by the University of Colombia in New York
on the future of town planning and concrete architecture. These
few examples demonstrate Lafarge’s intention to be both more
successful and responsive to a changing world.
UNITED ArAB EMIrATES
Construction of the Dubai Underground system.
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In 2008, the Group continued
to roll out its business in markets with
high growth potential
€1.5 billion in sales,
8,000 employees,
76 production sites,
in 29 countries.
€10.9 billion in sales,
50,000 employees,
166 production sites
in 50 countries.
Cement is a universal material.
It is a hydraulic binder, an essential sort
of glue in the manufacture of concrete.
Cement Business
Gypsum Business
MOrOCCO
Bouskoura cement plant.
€6.6 billion in sales,
26,000 employees,
1,945 production sites
in 40 countries.
N°2 WORLDWIDE
Aggregates & Concrete Business
A high-tech material meeting the needs of
sustainable development, concrete can be
given specific qualities depending on its usage
(resistance to compression, and pollution,
installation, flexibility, etc).
Lafarge 2008
in figures
€19 billion in sales
84,000 employees
in 79 countries
2,200 production sites
NEW LABORATORY IN ASIA
In March, Lafarge opened a new research and development
center in Beijing, China, in order to meet the specific
requirements of the Asian market.
A VERY ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE
In July, www.lafarge.com was awarded French AccessiWeb
“silver” label status and European Euracert level A status. This
was a first for a CAC (FTSE) 40 company.
PARTNER OF THE LOUVRE MUSEUM
In July, Lafarge became a sponsor of the future Islamic Arts
section in the Louvre Museum, in Paris.
TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ASTURIAS
The roof of Oviedo’s convention and exhibition center (in
Spain), inaugurated in October, required 800 m³ of a special
high density concrete designed by Lafarge.
SOLIDARITY IN CHINA
Lafarge has been mobilized to support the people affected by
the earthquake that hit Sichuan province in May. More than
320 homes were built in emergency. In July, part of Jiangyou
plant became operational again followed by Dujiangyan plant.
CERTIFICATION RENEWAL
The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) awarded a new certification
to the restoration project of the former limestone quarry
of Bamburi Cement, in Kenya, highlighting the initiatives
carried out on behalf of education, local communities and
biofuel production.
PARTNERSHIPS
In 2008, Lafarge increased the number of projects with
architects and encouraged debate on town planning. Architect
Marc Mimram, in his study Habiter l’infrastructure (Living
Bridges), suggests that the bridge should be reconsidered as
a place for socialising and sharing.
UNITED STATES
Inhabited bridge project in New York, designed
by Marc Mimram.