Lafarge is the world's largest cement manufacturer and is the only UK producer with nationwide coverage, supplying around 50% per cent of the market.            

Lafarge Cement UK has a history dating back to 1900. At that time 27 small, predominantly Kent-based, cement manufacturers and their subsidiaries merged to form the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers (1900) Ltd. The Lafarge Group acquired Blue Circle Industries plc in 2001 to become the world's leading producer of cement and building materials.

Today, research and development at Lafarge Cement continues to focus on innovation and works to continually improve the properties of cement. After a nearly hundred years of cement production in Kent, Lafarge owned around 16,000 acres of land that were no longer required for manufacturing purposes.  Some of this land was restored but much of it offered the opportunity for innovative thinking and the delivery of high quality restoration, linking with new houses, new employment, open space and environment initiatives.  

Over the last 30 years, the company has initiated a range of developments on former operational land and disused quarries.  For example, this has included: Bluewater (6,500 jobs created); Crossway Business Park (7,000 jobs created); Bean Country Park;  Holborough Marsh (SSSI and Kent Wildlife Trust Management Initiative), to name but a few. 

2008 and 2009 saw a period of momentous change at Lafarge's former cement works at Northfleet. These plans evolved through Lafarge's involvement with the Kent Thameside Vision process and in March 2009, Lafarge submitted two planning applications to Gravesham Borough Council and Kent County Council for the future regeneration of the former cement works. Lafarge’s proposals represent an important first step in the regeneration and redevelopment on the Northfleet Embankment. It is anticipated that around 1,500 new permanent jobs will be created making productive use of presently derelict land.

“We have a clear vision for the future, to reconnect the existing Northfleet community with the riverside; revitalise a range of employment opportunities in the area and regenerate formerly derelict land to the benefit of new and existing communities.” David Simms, Land and Planning Director, Lafarge Cement.