Holcim has EUR 35 mln investment plans for Romania this year, hopes for 2012 market comeback

Cement producer Holcim Romania posted a turnover of EUR 200 million last year in Romania, a drop of 20 percent on the previous year, triggered by the economic crisis and to the difficult market conditions. However, the company plans to increase the value of investments this year, to EUR 35 million, which will go to environment protection, energy efficiency and to modernizing technologies and installations. The investments budget will be 75 percent higher than 2009's. The highest investments will focus on the „Waste Heat Recovery” project in Alesd cement plant, which will have an impact on the reduction of the CO2 emissions at the national level and on „Energy efficient products” project, that will increase the co-processing capacities of the cement plants in Alesd and Campulung. The total value of investments made by Holcim since 1997 has reached more than EUR 700 million, which includes also the acquisitions made so far by the company to extend its activity in Romania. Holcim expects the constructions and the real estate markets to go back up from 2012, according to Holcim Romania general manager Markus Wirth. The company's profit before taxes was of EUR 25 million last year, down to half the profit in 2009. Holcim has recently appointed Daniel Bach general manager of the company, replacing Wirth from April 1, this year. Wirth will remain president of the Board with Holcim Romania. Holcim Romania has two cement plants in Campulung and Alesd and a grinding station in Turda, 19 ecological concrete stations, five aggregate plants and one cement terminal in Bucharest. Holcim Romania has 1.100 employees. editor@romania-insider.com