LafargeHolcim open new cement plant in Brazil
High-efficiency cement plant part of Group strategy to reduce cost per tonne of cement produced
TODAY sees the opening of a new state-of-the-art line at LafargeHolcim’s cement plant in Barroso, Brazil, in a move aimed at strengthening the Group’s cement production network in Latin America. The construction of the new line at the existing Barroso site is also part of the Group’s strategy to reduce cost per tonne of cement produced, while improving quality and efficiency, in order to operate profitably in a low-investment environment.
The new line in Barroso is the most modern in Brazil and includes the world’s largest vertical cement mill, with a 450 tonnes/h production capacity; a horomill, in which the raw materials are refined and chemical corrections are made with low power consumption; and a fully automated quality-control laboratory.
Barroso is strategically located in the state of Minas Gerais between Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro in the country’s most important south-eastern market. The plant has total capacity of 3.6 million tonnes of cement per year, and the new line will see the total cost per tonne of cement produced there reduced by around 25% from 2014 to 2017.
Eric Olsen (pictured), chief executive officer of LafargeHolcim, said: ‘The opening of Barroso is key to our strategy in Brazil and will allow us to further improve our cost structure while we continue to supply our customers with our high-quality solutions. For example, we are providing solutions for various projects related to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, including the Olympic Village, the Galeão International Airport, as well as new metro and bus lines.’
Today, LafargeHolcim own five cement plants, four grinding stations and one blender in Brazil, with a total capacity of around 12 million tonnes per year. The company also has a presence in the country in aggregates and ready-mixed concrete.
Separately, LafargeHolcim have today announced the appointment of Caroline Luscombe as the Group’s new head of organization and human resources, and member of the Executive Committee, with effect from 1 July 2016. Based in Zurich, she will take over these responsibilities from Jean-Jacques Gauthier, chief integration officer – organization and human resources.
Ms Luscombe joins LafargeHolcim from Syngenta where she has been head of human resources since January 2010. Prior to this she held senior human resources roles in the financial and healthcare businesses of the GE Group, and in the speciality chemical company Laporte plc.
Meanwhile, having successfully led the integration which is now nearing completion, Mr Gauthier will be appointed as country chief executive officer in Algeria, with effect from 1 September 2016. On taking up his new role, Mr Gauthier will relinquish his position on the Executive Committee.
Algeria is a key country for the Group, offering significant growth and development opportunities. With the forthcoming completion of a new cement manufacturing plant of 2.7 million tonnes, LafargeHolcim’s total capacity in the country will reach 11 million tonnes by the end of 2016. The Group is also building a country-wide retail franchise network for construction materials.
