Mollah Mohammad Majnu, 
Managing Director, 
Crown Cement

The Daily Star (TDS): What measures do you recommend for ensuring general safety in construction, both in maintaining structural integrity and protecting workers on-site?

Mollah Mohammad Majnu (MMM): Safety in construction is a multifaceted issue that begins with proper planning and extends throughout every stage of a project. To maintain structural integrity, we emphasise the use of high-quality materials, adhering to proper mix designs, following construction codes, and conducting regular testing on cement and concrete mixes. Skilled labour and strict compliance with standards are also crucial to ensure structures can withstand environmental stresses like floods and earthquakes.

Crown Cement is the pioneer in the construction industry who has launched the "Nirmane Nirapotta" campaign for worker safety to raise awareness and safeguard contractors and masons working in projects using our cement.The initiative includes the free distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as helmets, gloves, and goggles, as well as safety training and workshops to prevent accidents. Additionally, the campaign offers financial support in case of injuries or fatalities, providing non-recurring grants of BDT 100,000 for accidental death, BDT 50,000 for major injuries, BDT 30,000 for treatment staying at hospital and BDT 10,000 for general treatment. However, stakeholders must register under the campaign beforehand to access these benefits.

Crown Cement also ensures safe working environments through partnerships with contractors and builders. We promote site-specific safety protocols, proper scaffolding, and emergency preparedness measures. Our sub-teams actively visit construction sites to conduct safety inspections and awareness programmes. By fostering a culture of safety and continuously advocating for worker welfare, we aim to make safety an integral part of the construction process while supporting the development of a sustainable and resilient construction industry.

TDS: What types of cement or construction materials do you offer, and how do you ensure their suitability for different construction purposes while prioritising safety and environmental sustainability?

MMM: At Crown Cement, we offer a variety of cement types to meet the diverse needs of the construction industry. We have CEM-I, or Portland Cement (PC), which is ideal for special large-scale projects (e.g., 40-storey buildings) requiring early high strength, and CEM-II, or Portland Composite Cement (PCC), which is more versatile and suitable for everything from multistoried buildings to flyovers, roads and bridges.

CEM-II is more commonly used these days and has two variations: A-M and B-M. The maximum mineral content of B-M cement is 35%, while A-M contains 20%. The quality of this cement is highly dependent on the quality of the minerals present in it. We also produce a type 3 cement, which was specifically used in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and was not distributed commercially.

Different types of cement are suited for different construction purposes. For instance, massive structures like the Burj Khalifa can use cement blended with slag (a mixture of silicon dioxide, calcium oxide, and iron oxide), which improves density, durability, and helps reduce corrosion of steel in concrete. Normal cement usually requires 28 days to gain strength, whereas slag cement takes 90 days to reach full strength. This type of cement is ideal for large multi-storey buildings and underground constructions as well.

In terms of environmental considerations, our PCC contains supplementary materials like fly ash and slag, which not only reduce the carbon footprint but also enhance the durability of the cement. Additionally, we've invested in energy-efficient manufacturing technologies that minimise waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are also committed to educating the market about the importance of using the right type of cement for specific purposes. For example, while PC might be more suitable for high-rise construction, PCC is often the better choice for general structures due to its lower environmental impact.

TDS: What technological advancements have you adopted to improve the quality and efficiency of your products? Furthermore, what are your future plans for innovation and sustainability?

MMM: Technological innovation is a cornerstone of Crown Cement's success. Unfortunately, we do not have the raw materials required for producing cement in our country, so we need to import them. We maintain a strict quality control procedure at every stage, from importing the raw materials to transporting them to construction sites. We use 'Analyzer' technology to examine the raw materials, which gives us accurate results regarding their quality and content. Maintaining this technology is quite costly.

Additionally, we have upgraded our manufacturing facilities with advanced machinery such as high-efficiency vertical roller mills (VRMs), which reduce energy consumption by 25% and cut pollution by around 70% compared to traditional ball mills (TBMs). We have installed VRM in our fifth and sixth production line to increase cost efficiency and make the production process more eco-friendly. We are committed to furthering innovation in the future, not just in production but also by driving sustainable and innovative industry practices.