Pakistan: Pioneer Cement starts its WHR plant in Punjab province

Pioneer Cement Ltd has informed Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that its 12MW Waste Heat Recovery power plant (WHRPP) has started operations on from 15 December at Jouharabad, Khushab district, in central Punjab province. It will impact positively on the financial results of the company in the years to come.

The company is also in the final stages of selecting a of supplier for installation of a new production line having capacity of 7000tpd clinker at the existing site. The negotiations are also being made with financial institutions to support the financial requirements, says company annual reports.

The company has also undertaken a project to boost cement grinding capacity to meet expected market demand and an order has been placed with a Chinese supplier. The project's estimated cost is PKR800m,  including installation charges and other overheads. It is estimated that the additional capacity will become operational in second half of current financial year.

In accordance with the increased local demand, clinker production was increased by 16.80 per cent over the last year resulting in plant capacity utilisation of 59.38 per cent ersus a capacity utilisation of 50.84 per cent in 2015. Similarly, Cement production increased to 1,344,890t, which is 11.12 per cent higher than last year. Domestic dispatches increased to 1,309,874t, an increase of 14.56 per cent over last year. However exports declined from 68,241t last year to 46,289t, due to declining demand and reduced margins offered by exports.

Pioneer Cement has a production capacity of clinker 1.93Mta and cement 2.03Mta.