Lafarge Launches LEED Product Guide App for Green Building Professionals
In May 2011, Lafarge North America took a bold step to modernize green building support for design professionals. With growing pressure to meet sustainability benchmarks, the company introduced a free mobile application to simplify the LEED certification process. The LEED Product Guide App helped architects, engineers, and contractors instantly access information about Lafarge’s environmentally responsible materials.
This tool arrived at a time when demand for LEED-compliant projects was rising. Developers and designers needed fast, reliable access to product data. With that in mind, Lafarge delivered a user-friendly solution tailored to their evolving needs.
A Smarter Way to Build Green
The LEED Product Guide App offered users a streamlined path to determining which Lafarge products supported LEED credits. Instead of chasing paperwork or waiting on technical reps, professionals could now search and filter materials in real time. They could view detailed specifications, regional availability, recycled content, and even generate LEED submittal sheets—all from a mobile device.
Designed for iPhone and Android users alike, the app opened the door for on-the-go compliance checks. Whether on the jobsite or in a project planning session, professionals had the resources they needed at their fingertips.
Tailored to Meet LEED Criteria
The application was built specifically around the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED v3 (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) system. This made it easier for users to identify Lafarge cement, concrete, gypsum, and fly ash products that contributed to various LEED categories.
Features included:
- Location-based search for regional materials, aiding in MR Credit 5: Regional Materials
- Recycled content data to support MR Credit 4: Recycled Content
- Information on low-emitting materials, helpful for EQ Credit 4: Indoor Environmental Quality
- Downloadable LEED-compliant submittal sheets for instant documentation
As a result, users could confidently select materials that not only performed well but also helped their projects meet stringent environmental standards.
Responding to Industry Demands
“More and more of our customers are pursuing sustainable construction,” said Maik Strecker, Vice President of Marketing for Lafarge U.S. Cement at the time. “We built this app to give design professionals fast and easy access to the right information. It’s about making green building easier, more efficient, and ultimately more successful.”
Indeed, sustainability wasn’t just a trend in 2011—it was fast becoming the norm. Projects ranging from schools to hospitals and commercial buildings increasingly targeted LEED Silver, Gold, or Platinum status. In response, Lafarge saw a clear opportunity to use technology to bridge the information gap.
Driving Innovation Across the Industry
Lafarge’s app wasn’t just a marketing tool—it was part of a larger shift in how product manufacturers supported environmentally responsible construction. While many companies lagged behind, Lafarge led the charge by providing digital tools aligned with sustainability goals.
At the same time, this innovation aligned with Lafarge’s own commitment to corporate environmental responsibility. The company had already adopted cleaner manufacturing techniques, reduced its carbon footprint, and developed products with enhanced lifecycle benefits. With the launch of the LEED Product Guide App, Lafarge extended that sustainability ethos to its customer base.
Empowering a New Generation of Builders
By putting green building intelligence into the hands of professionals, Lafarge reinforced its role as a trusted partner in sustainable construction. For builders navigating complex regulations, cost pressures, and design challenges, the app provided clarity, speed, and confidence.
Moreover, it demonstrated how digital transformation could serve both business needs and environmental imperatives. With LEED certification often determining a project’s marketability or financial viability, tools like this one were no longer luxuries—they were necessities.
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