ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announces that it has been awarded a contract from Holcim (Maroc) SA.
In 2004 Holcim decided to build the packing plant at the Settat location, about 70km south of Casablanca, Morocco. At the end of 2004 Holcim decided to establish a complete cement factory by expanding, in two steps, with a new cement grinding plant and a clinker production line. The grinding plant will have a capacity of 1.7Mta, while the clinker production capacity will be 4000tpd. Operation of the grinding plant is scheduled for the third quarter of 2006, respective for the last months in 2007 for the clinker production line. The quarry is located about 25km from the main plant and the limestone will be transported using a railway between the two locations.
ABB engineered, supplied, installed and commissioned the complete electrical equipment for the packing plant, including high voltage distribution, main transformers and medium voltage distribution. The packing plant went into operation after a demanding short construction period on schedule.
The cement is produced in the other Moroccan Holcim plants in Fès and Oujda and delivered by railway to Settat. To cope with the production of the new plant, the expansion of the packing plant with two additional silos, an additional packing line and a palletiser has been under construction since the middle of 2005.
For cement grinding and clinker production ABB delivers the high and medium voltage distribution, transformers, the low voltage motor control centers, the medium and low voltage motors and drives as also the process control system. The process control system will finally be combined into one system at the main plant and another at the remote quarry, using the same design and application principles for convenience of use and maintenance. ABB contributes to the Settat project with their experience in other plants operating worldwide.
