To stimulate their economies, several African governments realise the significance of infrastructure development as a catalyst for economic growth. Well-targeted infrastructure programmes are expected to play a significant role in improving poor economic performance and boosting economic transformation across the continent.
With its wide and proven range of asphalt and concrete batching plants, Lintec & Linnhoff expects to play a leading role in the continent’s infrastructure development drive. Speaking to Quarrying Africa, Tony Chakra, regional sales manager, Middle East and Africa at Lintec & Linnhoff, says Africa has always been one of the company’s key markets, simply because of its enormous potential and the large-scale demand for asphalt and concrete in its infrastructure development. Chakra notes the extensive programmes of construction planned all across the continent for roads, airports, housing and more.
“In recent years, we have seen work really gathering pace as countries in Africa implement more ambitious projects and look to catch up with global counterparts. According to Research and Markets, the African asphalt plant market is expected to see significant growth and the concrete plant market is expected to reach US$35.6-million,” he notes.
Chakra points out a number of countries on the continent that really stand out in terms of infrastructure development. For example, Ethiopia is predicted to be one of the world’s most rapidly developing countries. Estimates suggest 25% of the state’s infrastructure budget is currently earmarked for roadbuilding as the plan to extend the nation’s road network to 20 000 km gathers momentum.
Angola, he adds, is another country where there is a significant scope for progress, as the road network undergoes extensive upgrading, with more than 13 000 km scheduled to be paved.
“Nigeria is also becoming an increasingly important market for us, with several large-scale projects in the pipeline as part of the Nigerian Government’s infrastructure drive. We have recognised Ghana as a critical market for our range of concrete plants from our Lintec and Eurotec brands,” says Chakra.
Growing footprint
Lintec & Linnhoff has been present in Africa since the early ‘90s, with an initial presence in East Africa. Over the years, the company has expanded to the West, Central and Southern Africa. Its distribution channels have also grown, with a dealer footprint in several countries such as Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Congo, Nigeria and South Africa, amongst others.
“Not only does our distributor network provide sales and after-sales support to our customers, but it also allows us to maintain our strong foothold in local markets and give us a platform for future growth,” says Chakra.
The company has, in recent years, seen growing demand for its asphalt and concrete plants on the continent, varying however, from one country to another. Its range can reach any requirements, from continuous to containerised batch-type Lintec asphalt plants, and mobile or stationary Linnhoff asphalt plants.
On the other hand, the company also supplies Eurotec concrete plants that can be either portable or stationary. It has also launched its ECOlite model, especially for African countries; this model is ideally suited for small to medium-sized job sites.
Success stories
Over the past 30 years, Lintec & Linhoff has provided plants for numerous projects across Africa, with several flagship projects under its belt.
A case in point is the recent purchase of an ECO90 stationary concrete batching plant by Z For Mining (ZFM), a Mali-based contractor that now owns three of the four units that make up the Eurotec ECO range. ZFM has been an enthusiastic advocate of Eurotec machinery ever since it acquired its first model, a second-hand ECO30, from a local contractor in 2013, and a brand-new ECO50 model that was also installed at the Syama gold mine, where it supported the shotcreting of underground tunnels.
Daily production output of both the ECO30 and the ECO50 varied between 10-100 m³ in response to the needs of the project and client requests. Most recently, ZFM took delivery of a brand-new Eurotec ECO90. Installed in the Mali capital, Bamako, the plant commenced operations in January 2023, supplying readymix concrete to local contractors – many of whom will be involved in supporting the nationwide push to increase public housing construction.
Another installation of note was a Linnhoff TSD 1500 MobileMix asphalt plant delivered to a customer for use on a grade separation project on the Tema Intersection in Ghana. The company has also supplied several plants of the same model to major Ethiopian Roads Authority projects, where they have helped to develop and upgrade the road network.
“The Linnhoff TSD 1500 MobileMix asphalt plant is a perfect option for our African customers as it is designed to provide high asphalt production and optimal mobility, which is a great combination for large-scale road projects in landlocked countries,” says Chakra.
In terms of concrete plants, one of Lintec & Linnhoff’s long-time customers was so impressed with the performance of its Eurotec ECO60 concrete batching plant they ordered a second model to support its work on the Toamasina Port Development Project (Phase 2) in Madagascar.
The Japanese contractor was already familiar with the ECO60 as they had previously been using the same model. When they needed a new plant for a port extension project, it was an easy choice for them to purchase the same model. The decision to buy the second plant was made after being convinced of its quality and reliability, as well as the contractor having been impressed with the superb level of aftersales support from the Eurotec team.
In Tanzania, a customer selected the Eurotec 3ECO50 concrete plant along with the Eurotec Pan Planetary concrete mixer, to build the Tazara Overpass, the first flyover in Dar es Salaam. In addition, several Lintec asphalt plants have been involved in major projects in Africa. These include a Lintec CSM4000 containerised asphalt plant that was involved in the Yaounde-Douala highway project in Cameroon, and a Lintec CSM4000 that worked on the Addis Ababa-Adama Expressway project in Ethiopia.
“According to the latest information from the World Bank, in addition to the projects that have already been commissioned, we know that several African countries will see further development in construction during the coming years, and this will be an excellent opportunity for us. Africa is a dynamic market that is always changing and growing, and that is one of the main reasons we love working here so much,” concludes Chakra.
