After a successful commissioning period, Cemex has formally opened its new, fully automated bulk cement terminal located at Loviisa, Finland.

Since acquiring the Finnish operations of EMBRA as part of its acquisition of the UK based RMC Group in 2005, Cemex has invested over EUR250m in organic growth in Europe alone and the investment at Loviisa reflects Cemex’s commitment to strategic growth in the region.

Representing an investment of EUR3m, the terminal has two silos with the capacity to hold up to 12,000t of cement.  Operating 24 hours a day and seven days a week, the fully automated, unmanned facility allows imported bulk cement to be delivered by cargo vessels for trained ship operators to discharge into the silos and drivers to then load their bulk tanker vehicles ready to supply cement to the market.

Built to the highest environmental and safety standards, the silos have ultra sonic level detection systems and filters to ensure dust is contained within the process and not emitted into the atmosphere.

Cemex now operates three import terminals in Finland located in Joensuu, Naantali and now Loviisa. The new terminal with an expected annual supply capacity of 250,000 tonnes will provide the company with additional and improved access and continuity of supply to the growing construction markets in the region. The terminal will receive bulk cement from international producers including from Cemex’s own cement plants in Germany and Poland and from its new 1.6Mt capacity kiln in Latvia, planned to commence production in 2008.