CCCL secures highway stabilisation contract, Jamaica

Caribbean Cement Company Ltd (CCCL) has secured a deal to supply cement for use in stabilisation of a 46km stretch of the north-south leg of Highway 2000, which is currently under construction.

The local cement manufacturer is also to supply projects that will see 640 hotel rooms being built by BahÌa PrÌncipe and 460 rooms for student accommodations being constructed at the University of the West Indies.

"We are now on a path to improve profitability on a sustainable basis," recently appointed general manager, Alejandro Vares, told shareholders at CCCL's annual general meeting on Tuesday.

Last year was the first first full financial year in which the cement maker posted a profit in five years.
This year's performance is expected to be supported by four per cent growth in the domestic cement market in 2015 and a second clinker supply deal to Venezuela, which runs to November. The contract requires the company to ship 240,000t of clinker, compared with 100,000t in the first supply deal under the PetroCaribe Trade Mechanism.

CCL is also currently analysing the feasibility of exporting gypsum, according to Vares. The company has already lab tested a sulphate-resistant cement that is particularly useful in the development of seaports as the product is better at withstanding the effects of the sea. (Source: The Jamaican Gleaner)