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CEMENT & AGGREGATES

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Cement remains the foundation of the construction industry, making it one of the most important categories for hardware retailers. While often viewed as a price-driven product, cement also creates added sales opportunities through complementary building materials and construction solutions.

Product knowledge is essential, as different applications require different cement formulations, from general-purpose building projects to plastering, screeds and specialised construction work. Understanding these differences enables retailers to recommend the right product with confidence while strengthening customer trust.

"Cement remains one of the most important categories for Hardware Retailers"

In this Retailers Guide, we highlight the importance of dependable quality, consistent supply and value-added solutions, showcasing how BB Cement supports retailers with a comprehensive range of products designed to meet the demands of South Africa's construction market.

BB Cement – Built for Performance

BB Cement offers a dependable range of SANS-compliant cement products engineered for strength, durability and consistent performance. The tertiary blended formulation improves resistance to sulphate and chloride attack while reducing expansion, helping extend the lifespan of concrete structures.

The range includes BB30 Masonry Cement for everyday building applications, BB35 Pozzolanic Cement for enhanced strength and versatility, and BB45 Pozzolanic Cement for high early-strength applications such as precast products and time-sensitive projects.

BB Cement product range

BB30 Masonry Cement

The general-purpose workhorse of the range and is designed for everyday building applications. It is widely used for plastering, mortar production, general construction work, slabs, screeding, and securing fence posts. BB30 is valued for its workability and consistency, making it suitable for contractors and builders who require a dependable all-round cement for site use.

BB35 Pozzolanic Cement

A high-performance, all-purpose rapid cement designed for applications where improved strength development and versatility are needed. It is developed for plastering, general building purposes, brick making, foundations, slabs, and screeds. BB35 is particularly suited to projects where productivity and strength performance are important, making it a strong choice for both commercial and residential construction environments.

BB45 Pozzolanic Cement

Formulated for high early strength performance and is the premium strength option in the range. It is developed for cement product manufacturing, screeds, general building applications, brick making, foundations and slabs. BB45 is ideal for contractors and manufacturers who require faster strength gain and enhanced early-stage performance, particularly in time-sensitive projects or precast applications.

Technical performance and durability benefits

BB Cement is engineered to improve long-term durability in demanding construction conditions. The blended formulation reduces expansion by approximately 50% compared to pure cement, as the supplementary materials used in the blend do not contribute to free lime and magnesium expansion. This results in improved dimensional stability and longer service life in finished structures.

The cement’s alumina content is also reduced by around 50%, significantly improving resistance to sulphate attack.
This is particularly important in environments where soil or groundwater contain
high sulphate levels, such as sewage systems or aggressive soil conditions.
By reducing the reactive components,
BB Cement helps lower the risk of
long-term concrete deterioration.

In addition, the formulation helps reduce susceptibility to chloride attack, which typically occurs when salts in sand or water migrate through concrete and reach steel reinforcement. By slowing ionic movement within the concrete matrix, BB Cement helps protect reinforcing steel from corrosion, reducing the risk of cracking, spalling, and structural failure over time.

BB Tiler Ceramic and
Porcelain Tile Adhesives

Complementing the range are BB Tiler Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Adhesives, delivering reliable bonding, excellent workability and long-lasting performance. BB Cement also supports rhino conservation through its National Rhino Campaign, with contributions from every bag sold going towards protecting South Africa's rhinos.

BB Tiler Adhesive range

BB Tiler Ceramic Tile Adhesive

Formulated for standard ceramic tile installations where reliable bonding and consistent performance are required. It offers a 24-hour set time, making it suitable for general wall and floor tiling applications where extended working time and dependable curing are important.

BB Tiler Porcelain Tile Adhesive

Designed specifically for denser, low-porosity porcelain tiles, offering enhanced adhesion strength and a faster 18-hour set time. This quicker setting profile supports faster project turnaround while maintaining strong bond integrity, particularly in demanding floor applications. Both adhesives are designed to provide good workability, strong adhesion, and long-lasting installation performance, supporting both professional tilers and DIY users across a range of tiling projects.

For more information, Call: +27 71 882-0073 | Visit: www.bbcement.co.za

Brought to you by DIY Industrial and Trade News

Read the full article in our DIY and Industrial Trade News - AUGUST 2026 issue.

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