Holcim Croatia investment plans for 2006

The Croatian unit of Holcim says it plans to invest 37 million kuna (US$6.2m) this year, mainly in the modernisation of its production facilities. "A revamp of the factory in Koromocno is now underway, where we invest around five million kuna," Holcim Croatia said in a statement.

The company said also that it was preparing a project for automated cement transportation from the terminals in Koromacno, Zadar and Jastrebarsko. It will also invest in new electricity substation, partial replacement of kilns and new laboratory equipment.

Holcim Croatia, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Swiss group Holcim, runs two cement factories, six plants for ready-mixed concrete, and four shipping terminals in the Adriatic country. Its annual cement production capacity is 900,000t. The company employs more than 240.

Last year it invested 130 million kuna in a new cement mill and 13m kuna in a greenfield project to build a ready-mix concrete factory.