Displaying items by tag: East African Portland Cement Company

Kenya: East African Portland Cement (EAPC) has contracted a technical audit from Denmark-based FLSmidth Cement with a value of just under US$70m. EAPC’s acting managing director Mohamed Osman said the findings would guide a pending plant upgrade, to be funded by some of the proceeds from the land sale, according to the Star newspaper. It hopes to double capacity at the unit by the late 2020s without incurring debt. The cement producer is also considering its options to use alternative fuels such as macadamia husks and other agricultural biomass. The 10-week audit process is expected to end in early December 2024.

Osman said “We have tapped FLSmidth to undertake a comprehensive technical audit of the plant, which will assess how to maximise the capacity and inform the design and cost of a new one,'' Osman said. “The audit by FLSmidth will also look at the reserves of raw materials that it has and inform whether it needs to acquire more land that has adequate reserves.”

Kenya: East African Portland Cement (EAPCC) has recommenced operations at its Athi River cement plant after a one-month shutdown for renovations and maintenance. The plant has undergone a US$3m upgrade to expand its capacity in order to meet the increasing regional demand for cement, anticipating an annual production of 1Mt/yr within the next two years. Before the upgrade, the plant’s capacity was 310,000t/yr.

Board chairperson Richard Mbithi said critical components used in cement production processes such as filter bags and refractory bricks were replaced during the upgrade. EAPCC also refurbished its grate cooler system, enabling the company to increase its production targets.

Mbithi said “With the finalisation of the plant refurbishment and the resultant improved production and efficiency, we are confident that the company will accomplish the production and revenue targets.”

The company undertook the first phase of maintenance two years ago and it involved the replacement of the kiln shell which was completed in September 2022. This led to improved clinker and cement production and resulted in a 38% increase in revenues, according to the Star Kenya.

Kenya: East African Portland Cement (EAPCC) has closed its Athi River plant for a US$3m upgrade to boost production capacity.

Oliver Kirubai, EAPCC's managing director, said "We are doing the second phase of our machines upgrade, which is basically targeting to increase our output. Our target is that by June 2026 we should be able to produce 1Mt/yr of cement." He added "Seven local contractors are spearheading the upgrade of this plant. They will work with us during the 25-day closure of this facility." The current production capacity of the plant is 310,000t/yr.

EAPCC recorded a loss of US$9.8m for the financial year ending June 2023, despite making a profit of US$4m in the previous year. This shift was due to increased costs elevating the firm's cost of sales to US$29.4m from US$29.9m, despite a 37% increase in revenues to US$21.9m from US$15.9 in the previous year.

Kenya: East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) has announced plans to build a new clinker plant in Kajaido. The Nation newspaper has reported that it will cost US$200m to build. EAPCC plans to use local pozzolana, along with limestone and coral transported from Kenya’s Coast Province, in cement production at the plant. The producer says that it will clarify the timeframes of the project in 2024.

Kenya: East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) plans to sell land in Machakos County close to its Athi River plant, KBC News has reported. During the sale, offers submitted by people currently residing on the land will have priority. Demolition of illegal homes on the land is currently underway.

Kenya: East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) has won a legal dispute for the right to evict squatters from 1740 hectares of limestone-bearing land in Machakos County. Nation News has reported that the court struck out the case after claimants failed to produce requested documents. It also ordered the claimants to pay EAPCC’s legal costs.

Kenya: East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) says that it is ready to resume full-scale cement production at its 600,000t/yr Athi River cement plant. The Standard newspaper has reported that the plant is currently operating at 50% capacity, following refurbishment. EAPCC replaced a 16m-long section of kiln shell in the plant's clinker line, at a cost of US$3.5m. Managing director Oliver Kirubai said that the company raised the funds through the sale of land located in Athi River.

Kirubai said "Our employees have cut back a lot, in a situation where we have been struggling even to pay their salaries. We are now back on our feet." He added "A number of companies owed us millions of Shillings. They have been ordered to pay us by the government. If they honour the agreement, the problem we are facing will be a thing of the past.”

EAPCC says that it expects the scale-up of production at the Athi River plant to help lower the cost of cement for its customers.

Kenya: The government says that it has found a 'strategic investor' to buy a 30% stake in East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC). Business Daily News has reported that the buyer will acquire shares from the National Treasury, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Lafarge South Africa. The government holds 25% of EAPCC's shares through the Treasury, while the NSSF holds 27% and Lafarge South Africa 42%.

Lafarge South Africa denied that it plans to sell any of its shares in EAPCC. Chief executive officer Geoffrey Ndugwa said "We are not aware that we will be ceding shares.”

The government said that shareholders currently face the decision to sell EAPCC's land, seek a bailout from the Treasury or liquidate the company. It expects shareholders to reach a decision and establish a comprehensive plan for the company by 17 August 2023.

Kenya: A court has authorised an auction of East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC)'s moveable property to proceed, in order to pay former staff. The Nation newspaper has reported that EAPCC owes the employees US$10m in unpaid wages. The court allowed the auction in favour of 60 claimants. It instructed a further 150 claimants to seek redress by other means, due to insufficient available proceeds from the sale.

Kenya: A court has prevented the takeover of a US$47.8m parcel of land belonging to East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) by the government. The court found that the government had not followed proper consultation processes. The East African newspaper has reported that the government had already concluded a deal with China and Oman-based investors for affordable property developments on the land.

EAPCC says that it now plans to use the site to build its own green smart city. The cement producer says that this will help to diversify its income streams.