Zimbabwe: Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe plans to increase its cement production capacity to 0.5Mt/yr once a current plant upgrade is complete, according to an official. At present Lafarge reports a 70% capacity utilisation rate at its Manresa cement plant, producing 0.37Mt/yr.

"Capital to the tune of US$15m has been earmarked to eradicate bottlenecks and to boost volumes," said Lafarge Zimbabwe chief executive Amal Tantawi in an interview reported by the Herald newspaper. Lafarge has spent about US$5m on plant refurbishments over the past five years and it is now focusing on improving the cement production capacity of its existing plant.

Lafarge Zimbabwe is also in the process of conducting feasibility studies to establish a new manufacturing plant to complement the existing one. Tantawi added that Lafarge Zimbabwe was still keen on exporting cement despite a decline in export volumes in 2013. The company has been focusing on the local market since 2013 due to increased demand. Despite high demand for cement Tantawi highlighted liquidity issues with the local economy as the biggest challenge facing Lafarge. To tackle this Lafarge is rolling out different incentives to encourage its customers to make cash payments.

Lafarge Zimbabwe has also launched Supaset cement in the country following its use on other African states. The product is as a fast setting solution for the block making and precast segments of the construction industry.