Holcim invests 180m euros in development programme by 2011

Cement and concrete producer Holcim Romania, the domestic branch of the Swiss group Holcim, is carrying out a 180 million-euro investment programme that will last until 2011, in order to develop operations and modernise current production capacities. “Investments will reach 160-180 million euros in the next four years (2007 included) and target the cement, concrete and aggregate plants. In order to extend our national coverage, we may open a new concrete plant in the East of the country,” said Markus Wirth (photo), general manager of Holcim Romania. Up until the end of last year, Holcim Romania conducted overall investments worth over 390 million euros. The 180 million euros earmarked for development also include this year’s 86 million-euro investment plan. Wirth added that 75% of the 2007 programme had already been completed, with 65 million euros spent on ongoing projects. Nine months into the year, the total sum spent on the construction of the new concrete plant stands at 7 million euros. “Our sales target for the period after the new plants and investments have been completed is one million cubic metres of concrete per year, after 700,000 cubic metres were sold last year. When we reach this level will also depend on how fast we can increase our current capacity,” said Wirth. Yesterday, Holcim Romania inaugurated its fourth environmentally friendly concrete plant in Bucharest, with a production capacity of 120 cubic metres of concrete per hour, as a result of a 3 million-euro investment.