Counterfeit Cement

Data from our marketing research carried out in spring, 2011 shows the existence of a well-developed counterfeit production and distribution system in Russia and consumers' total ignorance of the risks of using this cement to construct buildings and structures.

In the country as a whole, with minor changes depending on the region of the country, local climatic conditions and the habits of the local consumer market, the ratio of use of bagged cement by private consumers for their own needs and cement purchases by small construction companies and teams of professionals is 6% to 94%.

Thus, customers of bagged cement are mainly small construction companies specializing in erecting foundations (17%), plastering and finishing work and lining (57%), bricklaying and masonry block laying (12%), construction of special and decorative structural members (on-site roads and access areas, parking lots, pools, playgrounds, loadbearing structures, sports facilities, etc. (14%).

It is clear that using counterfeit cement for such important areas of application may reduce the durability of structures, the loadbearing capacity of building components and increase financial costs for frequent repairs and renovations.

The worst scenario is the fatalities caused by the collapse of structures, gradual deterioration of health from the use of radioactive and toxic wastes for manufacturing counterfeit...

Counterfeit production is an uncontrolled process of mechanical mixing of industrial wastes (metallurgical slag, ferro dust, etc.), wastes from power generating plants and extraction of inert materials, limestone quarry wastes, etc.

Since there is a total absence of quality control at these plants, the cheapest unusable wastes may be used for mixing, wastes that often should never be used for manufacturing Portland cement or else recommended for use in a strictly limited quantity subject to rigorous incoming inspection of quality and stability.

It is pointless to expect such "not good" enterprises to observe health requirements for products or control radiation or toxic and potentially hazardous substances.

Our colleagues and neighbors have problems with counterfeit cement production similar to Russia's problems.

Particularly in Poland:

• All actions against unscrupulous counterfeit sellers are guided by the Polish Cement Association (PCA).
• Control procurement and testing of cements is carried out at PCA's initiative in an independent laboratory accredited in Brussels.
• Based on the independent laboratory's report, the Association's lawyers send a request to the relevant government agency, depending on the specific problems - short weight, high Cr⁶⁺ content, low stability, etc.
• Members of the Polish Cement Union (including Lafarge) started the "Reliable Cement" program in 2011. The goal of the program is to inform and instruct the consumer and help him make the right choice when buying.
• Most of the counterfeit cement in Poland is CEM II/B-V 32.5 N. It normally has 45-50% fly ash (the maximum permissible level is 65% according to the National Standard). R28 in most cases is less than 30 MPa. Since bagged cement is mainly used in Poland for cement mortar, our Polish colleagues consider the risks of using this cement to be minimal. Nevertheless, they are continuing to fight for the customer; in their opinion the official response to counterfeit is inadequate.

• A new practice has appeared: filing claims in court against unscrupulous cement packers.
• Baggers must certify the cement and indicate the cement manufacturer and the packing company's name on the bags.
• The following amendments regulating cement baggers' operations and liability have been made in DSTU B V.2.7-112-2002 (National Standards of Ukraine):

  "A shipping firm (hereinafter - SF) that receives certified bulk cement from a manufacturer shall store and package it using the appropriate equipment and certify packaged products (Regulations on mandatory certification of building materials, products and structures).

  A SF shall provide quality control of the cement.

  Note. The SF may carry out production inspection using the test laboratory of another company under a contract.

  A SF shall determine the frequency of incoming inspections. However, it shall arrange at least one test of every 2500 tonnes, but no less than one test per month for each type (brand) of cement. 

• When cement is packaged at the SF, the items specified in 5.5.3 shall be included in the markings, indicating the name and/or trademark of the SF instead of the manufacturer's name.

• At the consumer's request, the SF shall send him supplementary information on the quality of the cement and a copy of the certificate of conformance for the products being shipped.

At present, the market for counterfeit cement may occupy up to 50% of the cement market depending on the region, and production of counterfeit cement is growing faster than the production of commercial bagged cement. As a result, manufacturers are losing profit and market share, the plant's reputation is often damaged, and anyone buying counterfeit cement risks health and life by using this cement.

            Main reasons for stepping up the process of regulating the requirements for bagged cement suppliers:

• Production of counterfeit cement is growing faster than production of the original products.
• The use of counterfeit cement is a threat to the durability and safety of buildings and structures, which ultimately threatens people's life and health.
• The image of a plant manufacturing cement packaged by an unscrupulous bagger may be discredited.
• Cheating customers: short-weighting cement - selling bags weighing 42-47 kg instead of 50. Selling cement in bags marked M500, whereas the bags actually contain another grade of cement - M400. Doctoring the cement with 20-30% inert inorganic fillers during packaging, which adversely affects product quality and its radiation safety.