Demand for cement is reportedly coming dangerously close to capacityin South Africa, with some cement makers already contemplating imports. It is estimated that total production capacity in SA and its customs union partners is almost 13.5Mt. A record 12.9Mt of cement were sold in the region last year. This number is expected to grow 8-10 per cent this year. Demand is likely to continue growing as large projects come on line. The four large cement suppliers in SA are investing more than R4bn in expansion programmes. But the bulk of new capacity will come on line only in 2008. Lafarge says cement makers could increase output by adding more fly ash and slag.