Cimpor to use Portuguese cement plants as ‘export platform’

In a recent interview with Portuguese press, Cimpor President Ricardo Lima explained that the company is utilising its cement production facilities in the country as an ‘export platform’ to other regions. At present, the company’s cement capacity in Portugal far outweighs domestic demand.

In 2012, total cement consumption in Portugal declined by 26.9% y/y as the sector continued to suffer the fallout from the economic crisis and drop in construction activity. Only 3.329 million t of cement was sold on the national market, the lowest on record since the 1970s.

According to Lima, Cimpor’s export levels have doubled over the last two years. The company, which was taken over by Brazil’s Camargo Correa in 2012, is now investing in optimising its Portuguese cement facilities for export.

At present, the firm exports to African countries such as Algeria, Togo, Gambia and Nigeria, as well as to northern Brazil where Camargo Correa does not currently operate cement plants. In the interview, Lima stated that it was more cost effective for Cimpor to export cement to northern Brazil via sea from Portugal than to transport it by road from its cement plants in other areas of Brazil.

Edited from various sources by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/17102013/cimpor_plans_portuguese_cement_plants_to_be_export_platform_301/