Pakistani cement makers plan expansion

With demand both locally and for exports into neighbouring Afghanistan rising steadily, companies such as DG Khan, Maple Leaf and Pioneer Cement have announced their expansion plans, while Zaman Cement, a new factory located near Lahore, has recently launched its operation in the country. “The Lucky Cement expansion programme is under progress and a meeting of board of director will decide about the issue,” said Abdul Razzaq Thaplawala, executive director of Lucky Cement Limited.

“The demand of the cement is rising from Afghanistan,” he said and added export of local cement to Afghanistan is expected to touch 0.1Mt monthly this year.

He said: “The demand in the Middle East is present but cement prices have reduced in that region.” Lucky Cement and other factories are still getting orders from Gulf countries and these companies are exporting cement there.

“There is no cement export to Iraq but the demand from Kuwait is present.” The company has exported 40,000t cement to UAE in 2003, he said and added in last six months the company has succeeded to export 40,000t.

DG Khan Cement had announced expansion of two-million tons, or 6,700 tons per day, additional production while they are also going to set up a cement plant in Chakwal having capacity of 3.6Mta, a company official said. Attock Cement has enhanced production of 3300tpd, while its existing production is 2400tpd.

The Pioneer Cement Limited (PCL) has planned to enhance its capacity to 6350tpd of clinker or over 2Mta cement, from existing capacity of 630,000tpa. Maple Leaf cement has plans to enhance its line to 3800tpd cement and its production would then climb to 1.1Mta.