HeidelbergCement raises production capacity to 6 mtpa

Germany's HeidelbergCement on Monday said it has commissioned the final phase of its Rs 1,500-crore expansion project in India, taking its production to 6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).

The leading global cement-maker, which had entered Indian market by acquiring Mysore Cements in 2006, has raised its clinker manufacturing capacity from 1.2 to 3.1 mtpa and cement grinding capacity from 1 - 2 mtpa at Narsingarh and Imlai units at Damoh in Madhya Pradesh.

"With the new capacity going on stream, the company has completed its more than Rs 1,500-crore expansion project to raise its all India production capacity from 3.1 to 6 mtpa," HeidelbergCement said in a statement.

The company, which mainly caters to markets in central India with its 'mycem' brand, and is now trying to expand to other parts of the country, had achieved highest ever cement sales of 2.81 million tonnes in 2011. "This is our first major step in increasing our presence in India. We believe that the states where we intend supplying to have potential for significant growth," Ashish Guha, CEO and managing director, HeidelbergCement India, said.

With the commissioning of new manufacturing and grinding capacity, HeidelbergCement India expects to raise its market share in central India.