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Export links and environmental leaps: part two

World Cement,


Global expansion

With a vision to expand and meet demand of global markets, LCL has invested in two projects in the Middle East and Africa: a full-fledged manufacturing plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a grinding unit in Iraq. LCL formed a joint venture with Group Rawji of the Democratic Republic of Congo to build a 1.18 million t capacity plant in Congo. It sees this project as an opportunity to have a strong footing in the African region and as a way to reach the neighbouring markets. Shipments under the equipment supply contract with FLSmidth have already started. The plant is expected to begin commercial production by the end of 2016.

The cement grinding plant in Basra, Iraq, has been successfully completed and started commercial production in February 2014. With the increasing cement demand in Iraq, the plant ran at 60% capacity utilisation in the first year.

LCL has also acquired a 75.81% shareholding in ICI Pakistan Ltd through Lucky Holding Ltd from Omicron B.V., a 100% owned subsidiary of AkzoNobel N.V., the Netherlands, in consortium with other group entities.

Leading through innovations

LCL was Pakistan’s first company to export bulk cement. The company has an exclusive berth at Karachi Port and has invested in storage facilities with a total capacity of 24 000 t (four silos of 6000 t each). This enables LCL to load a loose cement vessel at a maximum rate of 10 000 tpd. This facility has enabled the company to be the largest exporter of cement from Pakistan.

LCL was the first cement producing company in Pakistan to have its own multi-purpose transportation system. In addition to its exclusive berth and storage facility at Karachi Port, the company has logistical arrangements to carry bulk cement from its Karachi plant to the ports via its fleet of especially designed cement bulkers, with a unique compressor system and the capability to carry up to 75 t of cement. The system of discharging cement from the silos to the vessels at fast discharge rates enables quick loading time and ensures cement availability at the port anytime, thus playing a major role in increasing the company’s export capacity. This is a state-of-the-art project and is based on the latest European technology. It is a first of its kind in Southeast Asia and the Middle Eastern region. The loading capacity of this terminal is 10 000 – 12 000 tpd of bulk cement depending upon the size and construction of vessel(s).


This is part two of a three-part article written by Lucky Cement for World Cement’s October issue and abridged for the website. Subscribers can read the full issue by signing in, and can also catch up on-the-go via our new app for Apple and Android. Non-subscribers can access a preview of the October 2015 issue here.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/special-reports/29092015/export-links-environmental-leaps-part-one-2/

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