Ecocem invests EUR30m in new JV plant

Ireland’s Ecocem has invested EUR30m into a new production plant in the north of France as part of a joint venture with ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel company.

The joint venture, in which Ecocem holds a 70 per cent stake, will increase the company’s capacity from 1.4Mta to 2Mta. The high-performance, low-carbon cement will be delivered to markets in the north of France and the UK.

The step is the latest in Ecocem’s expansion from the UK. Earlier Ecocem built an import terminal in Runcorn on the Manchester Ship Canal in a joint venture with Peel Ports Group. It expects to build a further one in Runcorn and one in Sheerness. Ecocem managing director Conor O'Riain said the cement producer is taking a long-term view on the market. "We've invested in state-of-the-art equipment to demonstrate to the market that we're here for the long term, and I'm delighted to say that the response from the market has been phenomenal. We've made commitments to sell more in the UK in our first year than our total domestic sales in 2016.” 

Ecocem is also considering entry into the US with a EUR45m grinding mill near San Francisco but more planning is required to obtain the necessary permits.