The new range of concrete launched by Lafarge speeds up construction, guarantees matchless quality and is designed to suit specific application needs. With over 176 years of experience in the construction industry, Lafarge is the world leader in building materials with leadership position in cement, aggregates and concrete. The concrete division of the company has launched a new range of innovative products that speed up construction, guarantee matchless quality, eliminate intensive labour requirements and are designed to suit specific application needs. The company, offers value added concrete along with normal grade of ready mix concrete in India. 'Artevia - a decorative concrete combines design and performance and 'Mega Series' consisting a wide range of concrete products are used for specific applications. Some of the offerings under the Mega Series include, Mega Fill which offers high strength, self compacting, early strength, delay set, temperature control, steel and polyfiber. Mega Light Weight is low density concrete as low as 600-1,800 kg/cum. It enhances thermal insulation and effectively replaces brickbat coba, concrete screed, protection screed thereby reducing dead load on existing structures. Major features The major features of this concrete include: Light weight with density between 600-1800 kg /cu m Easy to place and finish Pumpable Lower thermal conductivity - ( "k"-0.17 to 0.54 W/mºk) Non structural concrete No compaction and vibration Compressive strength (28 days)-2-6 MPa Low water absorption : 10-5 per cent Benefits This concrete also offers the following benefits: It reduces dead load on structures-volumetric weight (3-5 times lighter than BBC & concrete) It can be easily pumped to necessary height and is homogenous and stable even during pumping. It can be easily pumped to necessary height with flow > 350-400 mm It saves time through faster execution with the surface ready for use after 24 hours Saves labour cost Offers better thermal comfort over concrete, mortar and brickbats (5-3 times better) Better alternative to foam concrete - more consistent with stable compressive strength Easy to repair and maintain. It can be nailed, screwed and sawed, re-excavated unlike concrete Applications Its applications include: Filling of areas vis sunken portion, plinth, utility areas, etc Dead load reduction on existing structures, terraces, floors, etc Terrace Overlay-Replacing concrete screed or brick bat coba to maintain proper slope with enhanced thermal insulation Precautions needed It should be used within three hours from plant dispatch due to slump loss in transit or the mix should be redesigned if retention time is more than three hours It requires minimum seven days of curing It is mandatory to cover Mega LWC with 25 to 50 mm finish layer i.e. mortar (regular) or tiles/granite/marble when used as screed Mega LWC can't be exposed to UV rays. It is not recommended in heavy structural applications, without proper engineering (Communication by the management of the company)