Akmenes Cementas, Lithuania’s only cement manufacturer, posted 19.1 million litas (Euro 5.5m) in sales for the first three months of 2006, a surge of 77 per cent from the year-earlier figure of 10.8 million litas.   In March alone, the sales soared 2.1 times, to 6.4 million litas, from 3.1 million litas in March 2005.   "The almost twofold surge in sales resulted on stronger sales on domestic market. The demand of construction sector is surging," said Arturas Zaremba, Akmenes Cementas CEO.  

In April the producer aims to start burning of used tyres, which are expected to substitute up to 18 per cent of traditional fuel fired at the company.   "The preparatory works are under way," Zaremba said.  
 
The cement manufacturer posted sales of 119.823 million litas for full 2005, a rise of 14 percent versus 2004. Volume sales rose by 12 per cent, year-on-year, to 833,000t. In 2006 the sales are expected to grow 10-15 per cent.   Cemex, the Mexican cement giant, controls a 33.95 percent stake in Akmenes Cementas through a subsidiary company. Four Lithuanian private individuals hold a combined stake of 51 per cent.  
 
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