• Dangerous quality defects in UAE cement show 0.5 MPa strength versus 10 MPa requirement, risking infrastructure collapse

• International standards failed across chemical composition, grain size, and mechanical strength benchmarks

• Import oversight gap highlighted amid Congo's 260,000-tonne cement shortage requiring authorized foreign supplies

Laboratory analyses have revealed serious quality defects in cement imported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and sold in the port city of Matadi, raising urgent safety concerns about potential infrastructure risks, according to a construction industry publication.

The Expobéton Newsletter, a specialized platform founded by PPC Barnet DRC cement manufacturer Jean Bamanisa, reported September 7 that the imported cement fails to meet critical international standards, including European norms EN 197-1 for chemical composition and EN 196-1 for mechanical strength requirements.

The analysis results paint a troubling picture: grain size exceeds acceptable thresholds, leading to poor material hydration, while compressive strength after two days measured just 0.5 MPa—far below the required 10 MPa standard for type 32.5 R cement. Chemical composition tests revealed excessive magnesium content and a calcium oxide/silicon dioxide ratio below the benchmark value of 2, compromising the cement's stability and reactivity.

According to Expobéton, using such substandard material exposes infrastructure to severe risks, including early cracking and potential structural collapse, endangering lives and causing significant financial losses. The publication has called for immediate intervention by the Congolese Control Office (OCC) to verify and regulate the cement's marketing.

The quality concerns emerge against a backdrop of Congo's cement supply challenges. Central Bank data shows national production reached 2.298 million tonnes in 2023, falling short of estimated consumption at 2.559 million tonnes—a deficit exceeding 260,000 tonnes that requires authorized imports to fill the gap.

While Congo maintains strict import regulations to support domestic cement production, exemptions are granted to address shortfalls, creating potential oversight gaps in quality control systems.

The incident highlights broader challenges facing Congo's construction sector as it balances supply needs with quality assurance in a market heavily dependent on both local production and strategic imports.

Timothée Manoke