French group opens cement plant in Vietnam
HANOI - French-based Lafarge has opened its first cement plant in Vietnam in the southern province of Dong Nai.The group, which has been in Vietnam since 2001, operates four concrete plants with a total capacity of 400,000 cubic metres.
During a press meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on July 25, the executive vice president of Lafarge group, Guillaume Roux, said the project would help strengthen the company's manufacturing presence in Southeast Asia.
He said the Vietnamese cement market was expected to reach 30 million tonnes in 2006.
The average annual growth rate was close to 15 per cent in the past decade.
The plant aims to supply blended cement to southern provinces, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Binh Duong.
This year is a key milestone for Lafarge in Vietnam as the group began operation of a 500,000-tonne cement grinding plant in Dong Nai and at the same time opened its 10 million square-metre gypsum board factory in Ho Chi Minh City.
Total investment in these two facilities amounted to 35 million euros (US$44.5 million), Roux said, adding that the company employs 100 people in Vietnam.
Lafarge is the world leader in building materials with cement, concrete, roofing and gypsum as some of its products. With 80,000 employees in 76 countries, it posted sales of 16 billion euros in 2005.
Vietnam News Agency - July 27, 2006
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