Algeria’s Zahana Cement Company (Zahana) has invited bids for the main construction contract on the estimated $115 million expansion of its cement plant in the west of the country.

Zahana says that the upgrade would add around 1.64 million tonnes a year (t/y) of clinker onto the current output of the existing facility, located at Wharan in western Algeria. The deadline for bids is 15 July.

The bid round is open to both national and international companies and a non-refundable deposit of around $4,100 is required from all bidding firms.

The contract covers the installation of a clinker line, crushing facilities, dust collectors and filters that would bring the plant in line with international emission standards.

The Zahana cement plant currently operates at under two thirds of its current capacity of 1.1 million t/y. Egypt’s Asec Cement Holding (ACH) has taken a controlling 35 per cent in Zahana and the expansion plans are part of the acquisition terms.