NORM inaugurates Qizildas works, Azerbaijan

NORM Sement has marked the official launch of its 2Mta greenfield Qizildas cement works with an inauguration ceremony attended by Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan.

Cement production at Norm’s 2Mta plant, located about 2.6km north of the Sangachal Oil Terminal in Baku’s Garadagh district, began in September 2013 using imported clinker until full construction of the plant was complete.

During yesterday’s inauguration, President Aliyev toured the new factory, including the laboratory and control room, and later met with plant personnel.

While at present the company manufactures CEM II/A-P 32.5R, CEM II/B-L 32.5R and CEM II/A-P42.5 R, NORM recently told International Cement Review that during the course of the year it expects to increase its product range and achieve full production capacity.

Cement output from the new cement works will serve the Azeri market as consumption substantially outstrips current production. The plant can also produce API-standard oilwell-cements which hitherto were not produced in the hydrocarbon-rich country.

Norm LLC, which was launched in 2004 for the construction of the Qizildas Cement works, now becomes the fourth producer on the Azerbaijan market.