Malawi’s new Njereze plant completes first phase

Malawi’s new Njereze plant completes first phase
28 September 2011


Cement Products Ltd (CPL) announced it has completed phase I of the US$50m cement plant at Njereze in the lakeshore district of Mangochi, Malawi.

CEO Sjoerd Grueter said the facilities would, at current demand, save the economy US$30m annually on clinker imports, helping to counter the serious foreign exchange crunch that plagues the country. At present, Malawi imports most of its clinker from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

 “The plant can make up to 500tpd of OPC grade 42.5, special cement recommended for heavy concrete work, including dam walls and railway sleepers. The phase I investment will save at least US$7m annually as a substitute to cement imports,” Grueter said.

He added that the company will start phase II, which will involve the construction of a 1200tpd clinkerisation plant with precalciner, in October. Partial land clearance had already been carried out and the rest of the clearance work would take place during November-December 2011.

“The foundation work will commence in February 2012 with a completion target of December 2012. As per this plan, the second phase could be completed by September or October 2013,” he added.

CPL will be the country’s third cement producer after Lafarge and Kasungu-based Shayona.
Published under Cement News