Federation's cement plans move ahead

09 September 2005
Plans to increase capacity in the local cement sector are moving ahead rapidly. Capacity is set to increase by 3 million-4 million tonnes a year (t/y) by 2007 from the current 11 million t/y (MEED 24:6:05).
Plans to increase capacity in the local cement sector are moving ahead rapidly. Capacity is set to increase by 3 million-4 million tonnes a year (t/y) by 2007 from the current 11 million t/y (MEED 24:6:05).

China's Sinomais in final negotiations to build the estimated $100 million grassroots plant near Al-Tawiyeen village in Fujairah. The facility will have capacity of 5,500 tonnes a day (t/d). An award is expected in September. The project company will be known as Tawiyeen Cement Plant Companyand will be financed and operated by a Chinese firm identified as Grand Aura. Construction is scheduled to take about 24 months. Hill Internationalof the US is the consultant.

Star Cement, a subsidiary of Dubai-based ETA-Ascon, is also in final negotiations to award the estimated $120 million, 21-month lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract to build a greenfield integrated cement plant in Ras al-Khaimah (RAK). The client expects to make an award in September. The proposed facility will see the installation of a 5,500-t/d clinker line and crushing facilities. India's Holtecis the consultant.

Preparations are taking shape for a new facility in the Al-Ghail area of Ras al-Khaimah. Pioneer Cement Industries (PCI), a joint venture of the RAK Gas Commission and India's Penna Cement Industries, has selected FL Smidth Indiato supply equipment for the plant. Construction is expected to be undertaken by Penna's own contracting branch. The 1 million-t/y plant will be financed through a combination of debt and equity. Total project costs are estimated at about $120 million.

Jebel Ali Cement Factory has yet to finalise a location for a new clinker plant, valued at about $200 million. Sites near Rolla on the Oman-UAE border or at Jebel Ali are under consideration.

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