Venezuela enlists Chinese firm for cement plant expansion project

According to local reports, Venezuela has signed a contract with China’s Catic Beijing, for the expansion of the Cementos Andino plant. The project, which is estimated to take 16 months, will increase the plant’s cement production capacity from 750 000 tpa to 1.2 million tpa.

Speaking to local media, Vice President of Economic Production, Ricardo Menéndez noted that the Venezuelan Government were investing in increased cement production in order to keep up with the demand that will accompany the country’s economic growth. The Government plans to build 300 000 houses pa over the next six years, as well as developing transport and energy infrastructure.

In addition to the expansion project at Cementos Andino, a second cement production line will be added at the San Sebastián de los Reyes plant in Aragua. Since 2011, approximately US$200 million has been invested in the cement sector in order to increase capacity and improve plant operation and logistics. The country plans to increase its cement production by 30% by 2014.

Edited from various sources by Louise Fordham.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/21092012/cement_venezuela_china_expansion_contract_investment_684/