CONCRETE
NPC is a ready-mix concrete partner you can rely on.
Our commitment to quality manufacturing, strict specification compliance and on-site performance ensures consistent results across every project we supply.
Why We Manufacture Concrete
Concrete remains one of the most trusted building materials in the world due to its strength, versatility and durability. At NPC, we manufacture ready-mix concrete solutions designed to perform reliably across a wide range of construction environments.
Our Concrete Operations & Locations
Our ready-mix concrete batch plants are strategically located across KwaZulu-Natal to ensure reliable supply and efficient delivery:
- Upper Highway area: Sterkspruit concrete batch plant
- South Coast: Park Rynie and Margate concrete batch plants
- North Coast: Phoenix and Tongaat concrete batch plants
Concrete Quality
Environmentally Conscious Concrete
Our Concrete Products
NPC supplies both standard strength grades and specialised concrete solutions to suit different structural and performance requirements.
Normal and Pump Concrete
Available in a range of strength grades for various structural and non-structural applications:
- 10MPa: Non-structural applications, blinding, foundations and mass pours
- 15MPa: General-purpose applications
- 20MPa: Foundations and surface beds
- 25MPa: Suspended slabs
- 30MPa: Columns
- 35MPa: Floors
- 40MPa: Industrial applications
Specialised Concrete
Designed for specific performance requirements:
- Post-tension concrete: Slabs
- Fibre concrete: Crack control for floors
- Waterproof concrete: Roof slabs and reservoirs
- Durability mix: Structural elements exposed to demanding conditions
- Industrial floor concrete: Warehouses and heavy-use surfaces
- Self-compacting concrete: Dense reinforcement and off-shutter finishes
- Mortar: Masonry work
Compliance & Testing
All mixes are designed by NPC concrete technologists in accordance with relevant SANS specifications and industry standards.
Our supplies comply with SANS 878 and include:
- Completed D2 and D6 forms with aggregate properties
- Durability testing
- Flexural strength testing
Proper Slab Curing
Why Curing Matters
- Concrete does not reach full strength by drying – it gains strength through curing
- Proper curing = stronger slabs
- Poor curing = cracks, dusting, weak concrete
- Up to 50% of concrete strength can be lost if curing is neglected
What is Curing?
- The process of keeping concrete moist and protected after casting
- Allows cement to hydrate properly
- Curing starts immediately after finishing
- Moisture must be retained
- Temperature must be controlled
When to Start Curing
- Start as soon as the surface is hard enough and finishing is complete
- Do not wait until the next day
- Do not allow the slab to dry out
How Long to Cure
- 7 days – normal conditions
- 10–14 days – hot, windy, or dry conditions
- Longer curing results in higher strength and durability
Best Curing Methods
Water Curing (Best Practice)
- Lightly spray water on the slab
- Keep surface continuously damp
- Cover with hessian or plastic to retain moisture
- Ideal for hot weather
Plastic Sheeting
- Cover slab fully with plastic
- Seal edges to prevent moisture loss
- Avoid direct contact where possible
- Simple and effective
Curing Compounds
- Spray curing compound evenly
- Forms a moisture-retaining film
- Ideal where water curing is difficult
- Must be applied correctly and evenly
Common Curing Mistakes
- Allowing slabs to dry too quickly
- No curing in hot or windy weather
- Walking or loading slabs too early
- Using too little water
- Removing plastic too soon
What Happens if You Don’t Cure Properly?
- Cracks and surface crazing
- Dusting and weak surface
- Reduced strength
- Shortened slab lifespan