The Brennand group, from Pernambuco state, is to invest R$286m in setting up a cement unit at Sete Lagoas (Minas Gerais); works will begin in 2007 and should be concluded as of 2009. The unit would have capacity of 910,000 tons per year and generate 1,000 direct & indirect job positions until works are finished.

With such project Brennand is resuming investments in the sector (currently led by Votorantim with a 40% stake), as the group sold off its three cement units by US$594m in 1999.

 The announcement of new cement production unit in Sete Lagoas was celebrated by the government Minas Gerais state, which leads the national cement market with production of 4,47Mt last year, or 24% of the country’s overall. The total cement installed capacity is 62Mt and production should be 40Mt in 2006.