History of LECA
Natural lightweight aggregates have attracted human attention for centuries. The Romans used them in the construction of the Pantheon and the Colosseum, in the 6th century in the initial construction of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, in the 2nd century AD in the Roman Pantheon, and later in the Vatican.
In the early 20th century, the use of lightweight concrete entered a new phase with the production of artificial and processed lightweight aggregates. Around 1917 in the United States, the industrial production of expanded clay using a rotary kiln was developed under the name “Hydite products.” Due to its unique characteristics and ease of production, this material gained wide acceptance, being used in over 150 bridges and buildings in the U.S. and Canada, including a 52-story, 215-meter-high office building in Houston, Texas.
In Iran, the LECA production unit was established in 1978 by the private sector.
LECA on the International Stage
In different countries, artificial lightweight aggregates, especially LECA, are produced under various brand names, including:
Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, England and Iran under the name Leca
Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Russia under the name Keramzit
France, Belgium, and Portugal under the name Argex
Germany and Austria under the name Liapour
And Italy under the name Laterlite
LECA in Iran
Operation of the first unit of the Leca plant in Iran dates back to the year 1357. Production of the plant’s products is carried out under the license of Leca International. Currently, this plant has four lightweight aggregate production units, three lightweight block production sections, and facilities for producing various ready-mix mortars.
Leca Iran is the largest Leca production unit in Central and East Asia.
