Turnover derived by construction materials producer Holcim Romania, the domestic branch of Swiss group Holcim Ltd., last year hit the record high of 118 million euros, which is over 10% higher year-on-year, according to company officials.
Overall, the Romanian cement market enjoyed growth estimated by players at between 5 and 10%, coming at a time of increasing sales by domestic producers and increasing imports from Ukraine.
“2004 has been the best year Holcim Romania has had so far. Investments reached 26 million euros and we plan to pour another 32 million euros this year into the launch of three ecological concrete stations in Bucharest-Pantelimon, Timisoara and Targu-Mures; the modernisation of production lines at the Campulung and Alesd cement plants; and the expansion of existing capacities for co-processing of a wide range of debris,” explained Markus Wirth, Holcim Romania general manager.
Holcim Romania is one of the main players on the cement, concrete and aggregates markets.
From the annual sales on the cement market of about 250 million euros, the three existing producers have fairly similar shares, each owning three plants, Lafarge Romcim, Holcim Romania and Carpatcement Holding Romania, respectively.
The domestic branch of the Swiss group began production last year in Alesd on what is the most modern cement production line, thanks to the investment of 70 million euros.
The Alesd plant was in effect the first cement production unit to have been largely rebuilt through retooling. The Swiss acquired the Alesd plant in 2000 from Lafarge of France.
The company earmarked 3.5 million euros for the modernisation of the only white cement plant in the country, which is located in Turda, and over 1.5 million euros for the setting up of the first ecological concrete station in Bucharest.
In Romania, Holcim, owns three cement plants – in Turda, Campulung and Alesd; 13 concrete stations and three aggregates units. To date Holcim has invested around 300 million euros in Romania.
In 2003, Holcim Romania generated turnover of around 100 million euros, 13% higher than in 2002.
Swiss group Holcim entered the Romanian market in 1997, at a time when most of the Romanian cement industry was being privatised.
In the end, only nine plants continued to operate on the market, albeit at 50% capacity due to continuing low domestic demand averaging around 220 kg per capita. adrian.mirsanu@zf.ro