Carmeuse misses target

The Belgian group Carmeuse, one of the top lime producers in the world estimates that this year”s revenues will stand at about 22 million euros, a 5 – 7% growth as compared to last year, according to company sources. The beginning of construction works for highways will be the major factor driving growth in the lime market this year. The increase in the price of methane gas and in transportation costs caused Carmeuse”s initial turnover forecasts to be lowered by 7% last year, the quoted source added. Nevertheless, the company has tripled turnover during the last few years, from 7 million euros in 2003 to about 20 million euros last year. In 2005, the Belgian group announced investments worth 27 million euros, directed towards technology and the implementation of environmental standards in the four lime plants it owns in Romania. The investment plan is divided in two phases: 20 million euros will be invested in the modernisation of its Fieni and Brasov plants in the 2005 – 2006 period, with the remaining 7 million euros to be invested in the Campulung plant in 2007. Carmeuse owns four lime plants in Romania: in Fieni, Deva, Brasov and Campulung. ZF